Melissa Joan Hart is an American actress best known for her roles in television sitcoms. She gained fame for playing the lead characters in "Clarissa Explains It All," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," and "Melissa & Joey." Her career also includes roles in films such as "Drive Me Crazy" and "God's Not Dead 2." In 2021, she won the top prize on "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune," donating the winnings to her chosen charity.
April 18, 1976: Birth of Melissa Joan Hart
Melissa Joan Hart was born on April 18, 1976. This marks the birth of the American actress known for her roles in popular sitcoms and films.
1985: Role in Kane & Abel Miniseries
In 1985, Melissa Joan Hart had a small role in the miniseries Kane & Abel, marking an early point in her acting career.
April 22, 1986: Appearance on Another World
Melissa Joan Hart appeared on the April 22, 1986, episode of the NBC daytime soap opera Another World.
1989: Broadway and Off-Broadway Productions
In 1989, Melissa Joan Hart became an understudy in a Broadway production of The Crucible and appeared in an off-Broadway production of Beside Herself.
1991: Starring Role in Clarissa Explains It All
In 1991, Melissa Joan Hart landed the starring role in the Nickelodeon series Clarissa Explains It All, which was a successful comedy about a teenage girl.
1991: Starring Role in Clarissa Explains It All
In 1991, Melissa Joan Hart landed the starring role in the Nickelodeon series Clarissa Explains It All, which was a successful comedy about a teenage girl.
1993: Appearance on Are You Afraid of the Dark?
In 1993, Melissa Joan Hart appeared on Nickelodeon's anthology show Are You Afraid of the Dark? in the Season 2 episode 'The Tale of the Frozen Ghost.'
1994: Mother Remarries Leslie Gilliams
In 1994, after her parents' divorce, Melissa Joan Hart's mother remarried television executive Leslie Gilliams.
1994: End of Clarissa Explains It All
In 1994, the Nickelodeon series Clarissa Explains It All, starring Melissa Joan Hart, ended its successful four-year run.
1995: Filming of Clarissa Explains It All Spin-Off Pilot
In 1995, Melissa Joan Hart filmed a pilot episode for a spin-off show featuring a college-aged Clarissa, following the end of Clarissa Explains It All.
1996: Title Role in Sabrina the Teenage Witch
In 1996, Melissa Joan Hart earned the title role in the television film Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which led to a seven-season television series.
1996: Title Role in Sabrina the Teenage Witch
In 1996, Melissa Joan Hart earned the title role in the television film Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which led to a seven-season television series.
1996: Support for Bob Dole
Melissa Joan Hart has mentioned her support for Bob Dole during the 1996 presidential election.
1998: Role in Can't Hardly Wait and Drive Me Crazy
In 1998, Melissa Joan Hart had a small role in the film Can't Hardly Wait and starred in Drive Me Crazy, a film promoted by Britney Spears' hit song.
October 1999: Maxim Magazine Cover
In October 1999, Melissa Joan Hart appeared on the cover of Maxim magazine, which led to a legal dispute with the publisher of the Sabrina comic book series.
1999: Directorial Debut on Disney's So Weird
In 1999, Melissa Joan Hart made her directorial debut with an episode of Disney Channel's So Weird, which guest-starred her sister Emily.
1999: Role in Drive Me Crazy
In 1999, Melissa Joan Hart starred in the film Drive Me Crazy, a teen romantic comedy.
2001: Directed Episode of Nickelodeon's Taina
In 2001, Melissa Joan Hart directed an episode of Nickelodeon's Taina.
May 2002: Meeting Mark Wilkerson
Melissa Joan Hart met her future husband, Mark Wilkerson, at the Kentucky Derby in May 2002.
2002: Directed Six Episodes of Sabrina
In 2002, Melissa Joan Hart directed six episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
July 19, 2003: Marriage to Mark Wilkerson
Melissa Joan Hart married musician Mark Wilkerson on July 19, 2003, in Florence, Italy.
2003: End of Sabrina the Teenage Witch
In 2003, the television series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, starring Melissa Joan Hart, concluded after seven successful seasons.
2003: End of Sabrina the Teenage Witch
In 2003, the television series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, starring Melissa Joan Hart, concluded after seven successful seasons.
2003: End of Sabrina the Teenage Witch
In 2003, the television series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, starring Melissa Joan Hart, concluded after seven successful seasons.
2005: Directorial Debut with Mute
In 2005, Melissa Joan Hart directed her first film, a 15-minute live-action short called Mute, starring her sister Emily.
2005: Role in Rent Control
In 2005, Melissa Joan Hart starred in the film Rent Control, which aired on the ABC Family cable network.
January 2006: Birth of Son, Mason
Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Wilkerson welcomed their first son, Mason, in January 2006.
December 9, 2007: Holiday in Handcuffs Premieres
On December 9, 2007, Melissa Joan Hart starred in the ABC Family film Holiday in Handcuffs, which became the highest-rated program in the network's history.
March 2008: Birth of Son, Braydon
Braydon, the second son of Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Wilkerson, was born in March 2008.
April 7, 2008: Feature in People Magazine
Melissa Joan Hart and her family, including newborn son Braydon, were featured in the April 7, 2008, issue of People magazine.
May 2009: Opening of SweetHarts Candy Shop
In May 2009, Melissa Joan Hart fulfilled a childhood dream by opening a candy shop named SweetHarts in Sherman Oaks, California.
August 17, 2009: Competed in Dancing with the Stars
On August 17, 2009, it was announced that Melissa Joan Hart would compete in season nine of Dancing with the Stars. She was paired with two-time champion Mark Ballas.
2009: Role in Nine Dead
In 2009, Melissa Joan Hart appeared in the horror thriller film Nine Dead.
2009: Starred in My Fake Fiancé
In 2009, Melissa Joan Hart starred in the ABC Family film My Fake Fiancé.
March 2010: Ad Campaign for Gain Detergent
In March 2010, Melissa Joan Hart participated in an ad campaign for Gain detergent with her Sabrina, the Teenage Witch co-star and friend Soleil Moon Frye.
March 2010: Start of Off-Broadway Run in Love, Loss, and What I Wore
In March 2010, Melissa Joan Hart joined the cast of an off-Broadway production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore for a four-week run.
April 25, 2010: End of Off-Broadway Run in Love, Loss, and What I Wore
On April 25, 2010, Melissa Joan Hart ended her four-week run in the off-Broadway production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore.
November 22, 2010: Presenter at International Emmy Awards
On November 22, 2010, Melissa Joan Hart participated as a presenter in the International Emmy Awards.
2010: Role in Nine Dead
In 2010, Melissa Joan Hart starred as Kelley in the horror thriller film Nine Dead.
2010: Starring Role in Melissa & Joey
In 2010, Melissa Joan Hart returned to weekly television with the ABC Family sitcom Melissa & Joey, where she played a woman who hires a nanny to care for her incarcerated sister's children.
2010: Starring Role in Melissa & Joey
In 2010, Melissa Joan Hart returned to weekly television with the ABC Family sitcom Melissa & Joey, where she played a woman who hires a nanny to care for her incarcerated sister's children.
December 2011: Closure of SweetHarts Candy Shop
Melissa Joan Hart's candy shop, SweetHarts, closed in December 2011 following a lawsuit, which was later dismissed.
June 2012: Announcement of Memoir Deal
In June 2012, St. Martin's Press announced a deal with Melissa Joan Hart to publish her memoir, "Melissa Explains It All: Tales from My Abnormally Normal Life."
September 2012: Birth of Son, Tucker
Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Wilkerson's third son, Tucker, was born in September 2012.
November 5, 2012: Endorsement of Mitt Romney
On November 5, 2012, Melissa Joan Hart publicly endorsed Mitt Romney for president.
2012: Proximity to Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting
Melissa Joan Hart has shared that she and her children were also in proximity to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012.
2012: Dismissal of SweetHarts Lawsuit
The lawsuit against Melissa Joan Hart's candy shop, SweetHarts, was dismissed in 2012.
2013: Release of Memoir "Melissa Explains It All"
Melissa Joan Hart's memoir, "Melissa Explains It All: Tales from My Abnormally Normal Life," covering her childhood, acting career, and personal life, was published in 2013.
2013: Unsuccessful Film Crowdfunding
Melissa Joan Hart attempted to crowdfund a romantic comedy film, "Darci's Walk of Shame," in 2013, but the project was scrapped due to insufficient funding.
2014: Leslie Gilliams on MasterChef
In 2014, Melissa Joan Hart's stepfather, Leslie Gilliams, gained fame by finishing in 3rd place on Season 5 of MasterChef.
August 2015: Conclusion of "Melissa & Joey"
The television series "Melissa & Joey," starring Melissa Joan Hart, concluded in August 2015 after four seasons and 104 episodes.
2015: End of Melissa & Joey
In 2015, the ABC Family sitcom Melissa & Joey, starring Melissa Joan Hart, came to an end.
2015: Launch of King of Harts Fashion Line
Melissa Joan Hart and her husband established their fashion line, King of Harts, in 2015.
2015: Permanent Closure of SweetHarts
SweetHarts, after reopening under new ownership, permanently closed in 2015.
May 2016: Participation in Moms Demand Action Demonstration
Melissa Joan Hart marched in a Moms Demand Action demonstration in Brooklyn in May 2016 to support increased gun control.
August 16, 2016: Donation to Gary Johnson's Campaign
Melissa Joan Hart made a donation to Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson's presidential campaign on August 16, 2016.
August 28, 2016: Joining Gary Johnson's Campaign
Melissa Joan Hart became the Connecticut chairperson for Gary Johnson's presidential campaign on August 28, 2016.
2016: Starring Role in "God's Not Dead 2"
Melissa Joan Hart starred as Grace Wesley in the film "God's Not Dead 2" in 2016.
2016: Role in God's Not Dead 2
In 2016, Melissa Joan Hart starred in the film God's Not Dead 2, a sequel to the faith-based drama.
2018: Casting in "No Good Nick"
Melissa Joan Hart was cast as Liz in the Netflix comedy series "No Good Nick" in 2018.
April 15, 2019: Premiere of "No Good Nick"
The Netflix comedy series "No Good Nick," featuring Melissa Joan Hart, premiered on April 15, 2019.
2019: Role in No Good Nick
In 2019, Melissa Joan Hart appeared as Liz in the Netflix series No Good Nick.
2019: Move to Lake Tahoe
Melissa Joan Hart and her family relocated to Lake Tahoe in 2019.
2020: Move to Nashville
In 2020, Melissa Joan Hart and her family moved to Nashville.
October 17, 2021: Winning $1 Million on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
On October 17, 2021, Melissa Joan Hart became the first celebrity to win the $1 million top prize on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. She donated the prize to her charity, Youth Villages.
January 2022: Launch of Podcast "What Women Binge"
Melissa Joan Hart and her friend Amanda Lee started hosting the podcast "What Women Binge" in January 2022.
2022: Starring Role in "Dirty Little Secret"
In 2022, Melissa Joan Hart starred in the Lifetime film "Dirty Little Secret," inspired by true events and the book "Dirty Little Secrets."
March 2023: Involvement in The Covenant School Shooting
Melissa Joan Hart was near The Covenant School in Nashville during a mass shooting in March 2023 and assisted in escorting children to safety.
August 21, 2023: March with Moms Demand Action in Nashville
Melissa Joan Hart participated in a Moms Demand Action march in Nashville on August 21, 2023, advocating for increased gun control.
2023: Appearance on "The Masked Singer"
Melissa Joan Hart participated in season nine of "The Masked Singer" as "Lamp" in 2023.
2023: Starring Role in "Would You Kill for Me? The Mary Bailey Story"
Melissa Joan Hart portrayed Mary Bailey's grandmother, Ella, in the Lifetime movie "Would You Kill for Me? The Mary Bailey Story" in 2023.
2024: Starring Role in "The Bad Guardian"
Melissa Joan Hart starred in the Lifetime film "The Bad Guardian," which is based on accounts of elder abuse, in 2024.