History of Danica McKellar in Timeline

Danica McKellar is an American actress, mathematics writer, and education advocate, best known for her role as Winnie Cooper in the television series *The Wonder Years*. She transitioned from a successful acting career to become a published mathematician and advocate for math education, particularly for young girls. McKellar has authored several popular mathematics books aimed at making math accessible and engaging for middle school and high school students. Her work aims to counter negative stereotypes surrounding women in mathematics and encourage students to pursue STEM fields.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

January 3, 1975: Danica McKellar's birth

On January 3, 1975, Danica Mae McKellar was born. She later became an American actress, mathematics writer, and education advocate, best known for her role as Winnie Cooper in the television series The Wonder Years.

Others born on this day/year

1976: Birth of sister Crystal

In 1976, Danica McKellar's younger sister, Crystal, was born. Crystal later became a lawyer.

1988: Starred in The Wonder Years

In 1988, Danica McKellar landed a prominent role in The Wonder Years, an American television comedy-drama that ran for six seasons on ABC. She played Gwendolyn "Winnie" Cooper, the main love interest of Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage) on the show.

1989: Appeared in Debbie Gibson's "No More Rhyme" music video

In 1989, Danica McKellar was featured in the music video for Debbie Gibson's song "No More Rhyme" from the Electric Youth album. She plays the cello at the beginning of the video.

1993: The Wonder Years ended

In 1993, The Wonder Years, the American television comedy-drama series in which Danica McKellar played Winnie Cooper, ended its six-season run on ABC.

1994: Starred in Cradle of Conspiracy

In 1994, Danica McKellar starred in Cradle of Conspiracy, a Lifetime film in the Moment of Truth series, playing Kristin Guthrie.

1996: Starred in Justice for Annie

In 1996, Danica McKellar starred in Justice for Annie, a Lifetime film in the Moment of Truth series, playing Annie Mills Carman.

1998: Co-authored scientific paper

In 1998, Danica McKellar co-authored the scientific paper titled "Percolation and Gibbs states multiplicity for ferromagnetic Ashkin–Teller models on Z^2" with Professor Lincoln Chayes and Brandy Winn.

1998: Graduation from UCLA

In 1998, Danica McKellar graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from UCLA. During her time as an undergraduate, she co-authored a scientific paper.

2001: Started dating Mike Verta

In 2001, Danica McKellar began dating composer Mike Verta.

2002: Recurring role in The West Wing

In 2002, Danica McKellar returned to regular television with a recurring role in the 2002–03 season of The West Wing, portraying Elsie Snuffin.

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2004: Voiced Jubilee in X-Men Legends

In 2004, Danica McKellar provided the voice of Jubilee in the video game X-Men Legends.

July 2005: Featured in Stuff magazine

In July 2005, Danica McKellar appeared in lingerie in Stuff magazine after readers voted her the 1990s star they would most like to see in lingerie. She agreed to the shoot in part to obtain "grittier roles".

2005: Guest starred on How I Met Your Mother

In 2005, Danica McKellar guest starred in "The Pineapple Incident" episode of How I Met Your Mother.

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2006: Voiced Invisible Woman in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

In 2006, Danica McKellar provided the voice of Invisible Woman in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

2006: Starred in Inspector Mom

In 2006, Danica McKellar starred in Inspector Mom, a Lifetime film and web-based series about a mother who solves mysteries.

August 1, 2007: Announced recurring role on How I Met Your Mother

On August 1, 2007, Danica McKellar announced that the producers of How I Met Your Mother were planning to bring her back for a recurring role. She had previously guest-starred on the show in late 2005 and early 2007.

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August 10, 2007: Named Person of the Week on World News with Charles Gibson

For the week ending August 10, 2007, Danica McKellar was named Person of the Week on World News with Charles Gibson. The news segment highlighted her book Math Doesn't Suck and her efforts to help girls develop an interest in mathematics.

August 5, 2008: Kiss My Math released

On August 5, 2008, Danica McKellar's second book, Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss, was released. The book is aimed at girls in the 7th through 9th grades.

Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss (McKellar Math)

Check it on Amazon

2008: Starred in Heatstroke

In 2008, Danica McKellar starred in Heatstroke, a Sci-Fi Channel film about searching for alien life on Earth.

March 22, 2009: Married Mike Verta

On March 22, 2009, Danica McKellar married composer Mike Verta in La Jolla, California. They had been dating since 2001.

2009: Voiced Invisible Woman in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2

In 2009, Danica McKellar provided the voice of Invisible Woman in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2.

2009: Commentator on VH1's I Love the New Millennium and math correspondent for Brink

In 2009, Danica McKellar was one of the stars commenting on the occurrences of the new millennium in VH1's I Love the New Millennium and was the math correspondent for Brink, a program by the Science Channel about technology.

August 3, 2010: Hot X: Algebra Exposed! published

On August 3, 2010, Danica McKellar's third book, Hot X: Algebra Exposed!, was published. It covers algebra topics and is intended as an "algebra-readiness book."

Hot X: Algebra Exposed!: Algebra Exposed! (McKellar Math)

Check it on Amazon

2010: Birth of son

In 2010, Danica McKellar and her husband, Mike Verta, had their only child, a son.

June 2012: Filed for divorce from Mike Verta

In June 2012, Danica McKellar filed for divorce from her husband, Mike Verta.

2012: Starred in Love at the Christmas Table

In 2012, Danica McKellar starred in the Lifetime film Love at the Christmas Table with Dustin Milligan.

January 2013: Starred in Tasmanian Devils

In January 2013, Danica McKellar starred in the Syfy film Tasmanian Devils with Apolo Ohno.

August 20, 2013: Featured in Avril Lavigne's "Rock N Roll" music video

On August 20, 2013, Danica McKellar was featured as "Winnie Cooper" in the music video for Avril Lavigne's single "Rock N Roll" from her self-titled fifth album.

2013: Played Ellen Plainview in The Wrong Man

In 2013, Danica McKellar played Ellen Plainview in Lifetime's reimagining of the 1956 Alfred Hitchcock film The Wrong Man.

January 2014: Received JPBM Communications Award

In January 2014, Danica McKellar received the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics (JPBM) Communications Award for encouraging students, especially girls, to be more interested in mathematics through her books, blog, and public appearances.

March 4, 2014: Competed on Dancing with the Stars

On March 4, 2014, it was announced that Danica McKellar would be competing on season 18 of Dancing with the Stars, paired with Valentin Chmerkovskiy.

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July 16, 2014: Engaged to Scott Sveslosky

On July 16, 2014, Danica McKellar became engaged to her boyfriend Scott Sveslosky, a partner in the Los Angeles legal firm Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton.

November 15, 2014: Married Scott Sveslosky

On November 15, 2014, Danica McKellar married Scott Sveslosky in Kauai, Hawaii.

2015: Joined Project Mc

In 2015, Danica McKellar joined the main cast of the Netflix original series Project Mc.

2019: Hallmark notoriety spoofed in Knives Out

In 2019, Danica McKellar's notoriety for Hallmark mystery films was spoofed in the film Knives Out, complete with the parody title Deadly By Surprise.

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