Mary Lou Belli facts for kids

Mary Lou Belli is an American television director and author. She is known for directing many popular TV shows, especially comedies. She also writes books about careers in television.

Mary Lou Belli's Career Journey

Mary Lou Belli studied at Penn State and earned a Bachelor's degree. For many years, she was an actress in musical theater and soap operas in New York City. Later, she moved to Los Angeles and worked as a producer and director for over 75 theater plays.

Directing Television Shows

Mary Lou Belli started directing TV shows in 1988 with an episode of Charles in Charge. Since then, she has directed many well-known series. Some of her directing credits include Sister, Sister, One on One, Girlfriends, Monk, and Wizards of Waverly Place. She has directed episodes for many other shows too, like Major Dad, USA High, One World, The Hughleys, Abby, Eve, Living with Fran, The Game, and Reed Between the Lines.

Writing and Sharing Knowledge

Mary Lou Belli has also written books to help others learn about working in television. She co-authored The Sitcom Career Book (2004) with director Phil Ramuno. This book even has a special introduction by actor Henry Winkler. She also wrote The Sitcom Career Book and Acting for Young Actors (2006) with actress Dinah Lenney, with an introduction by actor Jason Ritter.

Besides directing and writing, Mary Lou Belli often shares her knowledge. She has been a judge for the Miss America Outstanding Teen Pageant. She has also given talks at places like the Chautauqua Institute. She has been a panelist for important groups like Women in Film, the Directors Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. She has also judged film festivals in California and Japan.

Awards and Recognition

Mary Lou Belli has received several awards for her work. One special award came from Mayor Tom Bradley for her efforts helping children who had been abused. She often gives lectures at many universities across the United States. These include famous schools like AFI, New York University, Northwestern University, and University of Connecticut.

Emmy Nominations

Mary Lou Belli has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her directing work. The Emmy Awards are very important awards for television shows. She was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for her work on The Ms. Pat Show. She received these nominations in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Mary Lou Belli's Family Life

Mary Lou Belli lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two children. Both of her children are actors. She is also the aunt of Willam Belli, who is a well-known drag queen and actor.