MELORA HARDIN

THE OFFICE IS OPEN

Melora Hardin had carved out an impressive career in movies and television before becoming Jan on NBC’s hit, “The Office.”

The daughter of prolific character actor, Jerry Hardin, who has appeared in over 100 films and television shows, and Diane Hardin, acting coach to such young stars as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, River Phoenix, and others, Melora needed no encouragement to go into show business. She was acting, singing, and writing songs before the age of 5, and made her first TV appearance at age 8, combining television work with her grueling training with the esteemed Joffrey Ballet of New York

In 1991 she played the dream role of a vintage-era nightclub singer in “The Rocketeer,” with Billy Campbell, contributing several songs to the film’s soundtrack. On television she made steady appearances on shows like “Quantum Leap” and “Caroline in the City," plus several juicy, memorable character moments like getting Ross to talk dirty on “Friends.”

In 1997, Clint Eastwood cast her in the pivotal role of Christy Sullivan, opposite Gene Hackman, in "Absolute Power."

Following her role as the wife of obsessive-compulsive investigator, "Monk," played by Tony Shaloub, the sudden success of the famed British series, "The Office," plucked her away to reprise the pilot role she played as Jan Levinson, no-nonsense boss and sex object, which has resulted in Hardin's roles in "Thank You For Smoking," "27 Dresses," "17 Again," and "Hannah Montana: The Movie."

Melora recently made her directorial debut in the highly acclaimed film, "You," which she also produced and starred in, co-starring her husband, Gildart Jackson, along with friends and family members.