Jazzy, sexy Melora Hardin of NBC's "The Office" sings her own original tunes with a glow and a wink.

13 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz-Pop, POP: Piano

Details:
Melora Hardin had carved out an impressive career in movies and television before becoming Jan on NBCâs hit, âThe Officeâ (2004- )

She was born in Houston, TX and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Her father, Jerry Hardin is a prolific character actor who has appeared in over 100 films and TV shows; her mother, Diane Hardin, was the acting coach behind young stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessica Biel. Hilary Swank, Kellie Martin, and River Pheonix. But as a child, young Melora didnât need any encouragement to go into show business. Inspired by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, Hardin was acting, creating shows with neighborhood kids, singing and writing songs even before she began taking ballet lessons at the age of five. Her first television role, in a Little Rascals-inspired show called âCliffwood Avenue Kidsâ (NBC, 1977) came at the age of 8, followed by a string of guest star appearances on seventies staples like âThe Love Boatâ (ABC 1977-1986) and âDiffârent Strokesâ(NBC, 1978-1985).

At age 13, Hardin won a scholarship to study with the Joffrey Ballet Company in New York, and throughout her teens kept up a busy schedule that included rigorous dance training â as well as landing recurring TV roles on âLittle House on the Prairieâ (NBC, 1974-1983) and big screen gigs with âPapa Was a Preacherâ (1985) and âSoul Manâ (1986).

In a role that might have made her a star sooner, Hardin was set to play McFlyâs love interest in âBack to the Futureâ (1985), but was recast because of her height when her co-star to be, Eric Stolz, was let go and Michael J. Fox, who was shorter than Hardin, was given the lead.

Hardin attended Sarah Lawrence College in New York State and when not studying or acting headed off on solitary world travel adventures that continue to inform her as a well-rounded actress. While at Sarah Lawrence the devoted dancer got her first major headlining moment in 1988, playing Baby in the short-lived TV adaptation of âDirty Dancingâ (CBS, 1988-89).

Throughout the nineties, she maintained an impressive schedule as a working actress. In 1991 she played the dream role of a vintage-era nightclub singer in âThe Rocketeer,â contributing several songs to the filmâs soundtrack. On television she made steady appearances on shows like âQuantum Leapâ (NBC, 1989-1993) and âCaroline in the Cityâ (NBC, 1995-99) and several juicy, memorable character moments like getting Ross to talk dirty on âFriendsâ (NBC, 1994-2004).

Then in 1997 Clint Eastwood cast her in the pivotal role of Christy Sullivan opposite Gene Hackman in âAbsolute Powerâ.

In 2000, she began starred in the gritty USA drama, âCover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Familyâ (USA, 2000-01). Several other smart, adult women characters followed on âBoston Legalâ (ABC, 2004- ) and âJudging Amyâ (CBS, 1999-2005) and in 2004 she began to be seen on the critical fave âMonk,â playing wife to the obsessive compulsive investigator (Tony Shaloub).

However a pilot she had filmed earlier called âThe Officeâ based on the famed British series of the same name plucked her away from that with itâs sudden and highly touted success. Her portrayal of no-nonsense boss and occasional sex object, Jan Levinson, is an enormous hit with viewers.

Being part of an award-winning show opened new doors for Hardin, who appeared in the Golden Globe winning film âThank You for Smokingâ (2006), â27 Dressesâ (2007) and â17â (2008) with Zac Efron and Matthew Perry.

Hardin recently made her feature film directorial debut in 2007 with the movie âYouâ. She has also released two CDs of original, theatrical-tinged vocal stylings â âthe meloradramaâ and âPurrâ. And she has sung and performed at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego.

At the beginning of 2008 Hardin also starred in a one-woman singing act of her own at the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles. âAt the Water Coolerâ was directed by Richard-Jay-Alexander, who recently directed one of Meloraâs heroes, Barbra Streisand, in her latest European tour.

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