Jean Louisa Kelly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Louisa Kelly
|
|
|---|---|
Kelly in October 2009
|
|
| Born | March 9, 1972 (age 53) Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
|
| Education | Columbia University (BA) |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1987–present |
|
Notable work
|
Uncle Buck (1989) Mr. Holland's Opus (1995) Yes, Dear (2000–06) |
| Spouse(s) |
James Pitaro
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 2 |
Jean Louisa Kelly (born March 9, 1972) is an American actress and singer. She is famous for playing Tia Russell in the movie Uncle Buck with the actor John Candy. She also starred in other popular films like Mr. Holland's Opus. From 2000 to 2006, she played Kim Warner on the TV comedy show Yes, Dear.
Contents
A Star from a Young Age
Jean Louisa Kelly started her acting career when she was just a kid. Her first paying job was starring in the musical "Annie" at a theater in Rhode Island.
When she was 15, she performed on Broadway in the musical Into the Woods. In the show, she played Snow White and was also the understudy for Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. An understudy is an actor who learns a role so they can perform if the main actor is unable to.
Soon after, she got her first big movie role. She played the grumpy teenager Tia Russell in the 1989 comedy film Uncle Buck.
Education and Career Highlights
Even with her early success, Kelly focused on her education. She went to Columbia University and graduated in 1994 with a degree in English.
Acting on Screen
In the 1990s, Kelly became a familiar face in TV commercials for the phone company MCI. In 1995, she played two important movie roles. She was Luisa in the musical film The Fantasticks and played Rowena Morgan in Mr. Holland's Opus.
She also acted in many TV shows and movies. She was a guest star on the popular show Mad About You. Her biggest TV role was playing Kim Warner for six years on the sitcom Yes, Dear. A sitcom is a situation comedy, a funny show about characters in everyday life.
More recently, she appeared in the 2021 horror movie Malignant. In 2022, she played Sarah Kazansky, the wife of Val Kilmer's character "Iceman," in the hit movie Top Gun: Maverick.
Music and Personal Life
Besides acting, Jean Louisa Kelly is also a talented singer. In 2013, she released an album of children's music called Color of Your Heart. She has also released other albums for adults.
Kelly was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. Her father was a high school English teacher, and her mother taught piano. In 1997, she married James Pitaro, and they have two children together. She is also good friends with the actress Jennifer Garner.
Selected Film and TV Shows
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Uncle Buck | Tia Russell | |
| 1995 | The Fantasticks | Luisa Bellamy | |
| 1995 | Mr. Holland's Opus | Rowena Morgan | |
| 2015 | Ant-Man | Buyer | |
| 2020 | The Call of the Wild | Katie Miller | |
| 2021 | Malignant | Serena May / Jane Doe | |
| 2022 | Top Gun: Maverick | Sarah Kazansky |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders | Princess Gwenevere (voice) | Main role (10 episodes) |
| 1998 | Ruby Bridges | Jane Coles | Movie |
| 1998/99 | Mad About You | Diane Ellis | 3 episodes |
| 1999 | Cold Feet | Shelley Sullivan | Main role (8 episodes) |
| 2000–06 | Yes, Dear | Kim Warner | Main role (122 episodes) |
| 2006 | Grey's Anatomy | Rose Ward | Episode: "Blues for Sister Someone" |
| 2008 | Ghost Whisperer | Jennifer Quinlan / Nora Sutherland | Episode: "First Do No Harm" |
| 2010 | Burn Notice | Emily | Episode: "Blind Spot" |
| 2010–13 | Hero Factory | Natalie Breez / Operator | Recurring role; 6 episodes |
| 2012 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Sheila DeMarcus | Episode: "Code Blue Plate Special" |
| 2017 | Major Crimes | Tori Duncan | Episode;"Bad Blood" |
| 2018 | The Fosters | Pastor Nicole | 2 episodes |
See also
In Spanish: Jean Louisa Kelly para niños
