Melora Hardin: A Deeper Look into the Life of a Versatile Actress

by Aiden Mason Published Jun 30, 2017

A Familiar Face in the World of Television

Melora Hardin is a name that might not immediately ring a bell, but her face is certainly recognizable to many. She has graced our screens as Trudy Monk onMonk and Jan Levinson onThe Office. More recently, she has taken on the role of editor-in-chief Jacqueline Carlyle inScarlet magazine on the showThe Bold Type, which premiered on July 11, 2017.

Let’s dive into five fascinating facts about Melora Hardin that you may not have known.

Born into the Entertainment Industry

Melora Hardin was born to Diane and Jerry Hardin, both of whom were involved in the entertainment industry. Her mother was a retired actress who later became an acting manager and coach, while her father was an actor. Interestingly, her brother Shawn took a different path and became the CEO of Flock, a free, multi-platform web browser that specialized in providing support for social media and Web 2.0 before it was discontinued in 2011.

Almost Played Jennifer Parker in ‘Back to the Future’

Fans ofBack to the Future will remember the character Jennifer Parker, Marty McFly’s girlfriend. Initially, Claudia Wells had to drop out of the movie due to scheduling conflicts, and Hardin was cast in her place. However, when Michael J. Fox replaced Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly, Hardin lost the role because she was considered too tall for Fox. As a result, Claudia Wells reclaimed the role when her scheduling conflicts were resolved.

Following in Her Mother’s Footsteps as an Acting Coach

Like her mother, Hardin has taken on the role of acting coach from time to time, helping to cultivate new talent by passing on her own acting skills. One of her students was Jody Stevenson, who has appeared on several TV shows and worked with costumes and wardrobes onReverse Polarity. Stevenson is also notable for being the first deaf cheerleader for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre.

An Emmy Nomination for Her Role in ‘Transparent’

In 2016, Hardin was nominated for an Emmy for her guest-starring role in the comedy-dramaTransparent, one of the first TV shows created by a streaming media service to receive major awards and accolades.Transparent tells the story of a Los Angeles family reacting to their father opening up about being a transwoman, with some family members being more accepting than others. Hardin plays the ex-girlfriend of the oldest sibling, Sarah Pfefferman, who is initially the most accepting of the news.

Supporting Epilepsy Research

Many Hollywood actors and actresses have supported philanthropic causes, and Hardin is no exception. In 2009, she appeared in a PSA for CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy), a Chicago-based nonprofit founded by parents who were frustrated with the limited treatment options available for their children suffering from epilepsy and the seizures associated with the condition.