Melissa Joan Hart

Melissa Joan Catherine Hart (born April 18, 1976) is an American actress, writer, television director, television producer, singer and businesswoman best known for her title roles in the television series Clarissa Explains It All (1991–1994) and the live action version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996–2003). She is now starring in the ABC Family series, Melissa & Joey. Hart was born on April 18, 1976 in Smithtown, New York, on Long Island, the daughter of Paula, a producer and talent manager, and William Hart, a shellfish purveyor, clam hatchery worker, and entrepreneur. She grew up in Sayville, New York. Her stepfather (since 1994) is television executive Leslie Gilliams, and her stepmother is Lisa Hart. Hart was named after the Allman Brothers song "Melissa", while her middle name, Joan, came from her maternal grandmother. She chose Catherine as her confirmation name when she was in the eighth grade. Hart is the eldest of eight children with six sisters, and one brother. Sisters Trisha, Elizabeth and Emily Hart, brother Brian, and half-sisters Alexandra Hart-Gilliams and Samantha Hart have all acted. Her half-sister Mackenzie Hart is not in show business. Hart's career began at  age four when she made a television commercial for a bathtub doll called Splashy.[2] From then on, she appeared regularly in commercials, making 25 of them before the age of five.