Joely Fisher
Joely Fisher (/ˈdʒoʊli/[1] born October 29, 1967[2]) is an American actress and singer, the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Connie Stevens, and half-sister of actress Carrie Fisher. Her breakthrough came in 1994, starring as Paige Clark in the ABC sitcom Ellen, for which she received a Golden Globe Award nomination. Fisher later starred in the 1999 comedy film Inspector Gadget and had leading roles in the Lifetime comedy-drama Wild Card (2003–2005), and Fox sitcom 'Til Death (2006–2010).
Joely Fisher | |
|---|---|
Fisher in May 2014 | |
| Born | October 29, 1967 Burbank, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Emerson College |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer, dancer, songwriter, producer |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Spouse | Christopher Duddy (m. 1996) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Eddie Fisher Connie Stevens |
| Relatives |
|
The national members of the trade union SAG-AFTRA elected Fisher as secretary-treasurer on September 2, 2021.[3][4]
Early life
Fisher was born on October 29, 1967, in Burbank, California, one of two children born to Edwin "Eddie" Fisher and Connie Stevens (née Concetta Ingolia), both entertainers.[2] Her father was Jewish, whose parents immigrated to the United States from the Russian Empire, whereas her mother was a Catholic and of Ashkenazi Jewish, Irish, and Italian descent.[5][6][7] Her parents' second child together was Tricia Leigh Fisher, and her parents divorced in 1969, after which she and Tricia were raised by Stevens.[2] She also had two older half-siblings, Carrie Fisher and Todd Fisher, from her father's marriage to Debbie Reynolds.[2]
Fisher and her sister toured the world with Stevens, attending different schools and having tutors. Fisher graduated from Beverly Hills High School, then attended Emerson College in Boston, as well as the University of Paris for one semester,[2] and, in the summer of 1987, an acting retreat conducted in Italy by coach Sandra Seacat.[8]
She was named Miss Golden Globe at the 1992 Golden Globe Awards.[9]
Career
Her first film role was Averil in the comedy Pretty Smart (1987), which starred her sister, Tricia. Joely then played Kris in TV's Schoolbreak Special drama Dedicated to the One I Love (1991) opposite Danielle Ferland. Next came the feature I'll Do Anything (1994) starring Nick Nolte, which helped her career as bigger roles followed. She also had a variety of guest roles on series such as Growing Pains, Blossom, Caroline in the City, The Golden Palace, The Outer Limits, Grace Under Fire and Coach.
In 1994, she was cast as Paige Clark on the sitcom Ellen. She played the role until the series ended in 1998. That same year, she earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.[10] She also sang the theme song "Who has a perfect smile? Who has a comical style, who likes to hang out with her friends, who who? Ellen!" with Clea Lewis.[citation needed] She followed Ellen with the role of Dr. Brenda Bradford in the film Inspector Gadget (1999) opposite Matthew Broderick.
Fisher's Broadway debut was as a replacement in the revival of Grease (1994). She was also a replacement in the revival of Cabaret (1998). Her vocal range is alto.
Joely's career in music not only landed her on Broadway but she was featured in Albums. Her most noted album was "Tradition; a family at Christmas" which she, her mother Connie Stevens all sang various Christmas carols. She sang her own solo "Grown Up Christmas List". Her vocals are also heard singing "One For My Baby" in Harold Arlen's album "STAGE"
From 2003 until 2005, Fisher starred in the Lifetime network's drama series Wild Card as insurance investigator Zoe Busiek. After that, she had a recurring role as Lynette's boss Nina on Desperate Housewives. From 2006 until 2010, Fisher starred opposite actor Brad Garrett as Joy Stark in the Fox TV sitcom 'Til Death.
In 2021, Fisher starred as Irene Cody in the Lifetime film Girl in the Basement which was inspired by the Fritzl case.[11]
Personal life
Fisher married cinematographer Christopher Duddy in 1996. They have three daughters, two who were born in 2001 and 2006,[12] and a third who was adopted in September 2008.[13] She is also stepmother to Duddy's two sons, Cameron, who is the bass guitarist for the country music band Midland, (born c. 1986) and Collin (born circa 1988).[13] As of at least 2004, the family lives in Los Angeles next to Fisher's sister Tricia, with whom she is close.[14]
In late 2008, she became an artist ambassador for Save the Children. She traveled to Xai-Xai, Mozambique, to visit with children that are part of the child sponsorship programs.[15]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Pretty Smart | Averil | |
| 1994 | I'll Do Anything | Female D Person | |
| 1994 | The Mask | Maggie | |
| 1994 | Mixed Nuts | Susan | |
| 1997 | Family Plan | Lauren Osborne | Uncredited |
| 1999 | Inspector Gadget | Dr. Brenda Bradford, Robo-Brenda (credited), Voice of Opera Hand (uncredited) | |
| 2000 | Nostradamus | Lucy Hudson | |
| 2005 | Slingshot | Emma | |
| 2007 | Cougar Club | Lulu | |
| 2007 | Murdering Mama's Boy | Claire | Short film |
| 2009 | You | Kimberly | |
| 2014 | Killing Winston Jones | Devon | |
| 2016 | Search Engines | Judy | |
| 2016 | The Disappointments Room | Psychiatrist | |
| 2017 | The Tribes of Palos Verdes | Janet | |
| 2019 | Fall Girls | Simone Wellington | |
| 2019 | By the Rivers of Babylon | Judith | |
| 2020 | A Pity | The Wife | |
| 2020 | The Gift | Charlotte Kelly | |
| 2020 | Nosferatu | Ruth | |
| 2020 | Looking for Mr. Wonderful | Barbara |
Television
| Year | TV show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Something Is Out There | Leanne Healy | Episode: "The Keeper" |
| 1989 | Starting from Scratch | Sylvia | Episode: "Kate Leaves Home" |
| 1990 | Mulberry Street | Rosalie | Television film |
| 1990 | Growing Pains | Sally Garner | 2 episodes |
| 1991 | Blossom | Bambi | Episode: "Tough Love" |
| 1991 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Kris Stone | Episode: "Dedicated to the One I Love" |
| 1993 | The Golden Palace | Paula Webb | Episode: "Runaways" |
| 1994 | ABC Weekend Specials | Princess Pamina | Voice, episode: "The Magic Flute" |
| 1994 | The Companion | Stacy | Television film |
| 1994–98 | Ellen | Paige Clark | Main role |
| 1996 | Caroline in the City | Jill | Episode: "Caroline and the Ex-Wife" |
| 1996 | The Outer Limits | Amy | Episode: "Out of Body" |
| 1996–98 | Superman: The Animated Series | Lana Lang | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 1997 | Seduction in a Small Town | Sandy Barlow | Television film |
| 1997 | Coach | Paige Clark | Episode: "Viva Las Ratings" |
| 1997 | Grace Under Fire | Episode: "Vegas" | |
| 1997 | The Drew Carey Show | Episode: "Drew Gets Married" | |
| 1997 | Jitters | Rita Domino | Television film |
| 1998 | In the Loop | TV series | |
| 1998 | Icebergs: The Secret Life of a Refrigerator | Television film | |
| 1998 | Perfect Prey | Elizabeth Crane | Television film |
| 1998 | Thirst | Susan Miller | Television film |
| 1999 | Love, American Style | Jeannie | Segment: "Love and The Heimlich Maneuver" |
| 1999 | Coming Unglued | Laura Hartwood | Television film |
| 1999 | Kidnapped in Paradise | Beth Emerson | Television film |
| 2000 | Grosse Pointe | Hope Lustig | Recurring role |
| 2000 | Normal, Ohio | Pamela Theresa Gamble-Miller | Main role |
| 2001 | Danny | Molly | Main role |
| 2002–03 | Baby Bob | Lizzy Collins Spencer | Main role |
| 2003–05 | Wild Card | Zoe Busiek | Main role |
| 2005 | Fertile Ground | Dr. Jamie Novak | Television film |
| 2005 | Desperate Housewives | Nina Fletcher | Recurring role |
| 2006–10 | 'Til Death | Joy Stark | Main role |
| 2011 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Meg Robinson | Episode: "Alex the Puppetmaster" |
| 2012 | Cupid, Inc. | Eve Lovett | Television film |
| 2012 | RuPaul's Drag U | Guest Professor | Episode: "Time to Grow Up" |
| 2014 | Fatal Acquittal | Cassidy Miller | Television film |
| 2014–15 | Celebrity Name Game | Herself | Recurring role |
| 2014–16 | Last Man Standing | Wendi | Recurring role |
| 2016 | Modern Family | Maggie Braithwaite | Episode: "The Alliance" |
| 2018 | Station 19 | Denise | Episode: "No Recovery" |
| 2019 | 9-1-1 | Moira's Sister | Episode: "Triggers" |
| 2021 | Girl in the Basement | Irene Cody | Television film |
| 2022 | How I Met Your Father | Sue | Episode: "Jay Street" |
| 2023 | Fantasy Island | Joy Summers | Episode: "The Urn" |
Discography
- 1993: Tradition: A Family at Christmas; she sang 3 songs with her mother Connie Stevens and sister Tricia Leigh Fisher. She has 1 solo: Grown Up Christmas List
- 1995: S.T.A.G.E. Music of Harold Arlen "One for my Baby"
- 1998: Lerner, Lowe, Lane and Friends, "Come Back to Me"
- 2000: Adler, Brock, and Coleman, "Welcome to Holiday Inn"
References
- ^ Carrie Fisher's Sisters Interview on Star's Death, archived from the original on December 22, 2021, retrieved January 23, 2020
- ^ a b c d e . Biography.com (FYI / A&E Networks). Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- ^ Maddaus, Gene (September 2, 2021). "Fran Drescher Elected President of SAG-AFTRA, Rival Joely Fisher Wins Secretary-Treasurer". Variety. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ "SAG-AFTRA Members Elect Fran Drescher President of Union and Joely Fisher as Secretary-Treasurer". www.sagaftra.org. September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ Biography, tcm.com; accessed April 3, 2017.
- ^ Genealogy.com – Ancestry of Carrie Fisher February 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine [Dead link]
- ^ 'Jewish Sinatra' tells all Archived 2012-11-20 at archive.today [Dead link]
- ^ Fisher, Joey; Myers, Marc. "Joely Fisher on Kate Bush". The Wall Street Journal. January 23, 2018.
- ^ "Miss Golden Globe: Through The Years". Access Hollywood. from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017. Slide #11.
- ^ "Joely Fisher". www.goldenglobes.com.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 6, 2020). "Lifetime Greenlights 'Girl In The Basement' Movie Starring Stefanie Scott, Judd Nelson & Joely Fisher; Elisabeth Rohm Directs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ^ Gee, Alison (February 2, 2006). "Joely Fisher Has a Baby Girl". People. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
- ^ a b Jordan, Julia (September 29, 2008). "'Til Death's Joely Fisher Adopts a Baby Girl". People. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
...the recent adoption of a newborn baby girl, Fisher's rep, Brit Reece, tells People exclusively. New daughter Olivia Luna Fisher-Duddy joins older brothers, Cameron, 22, Collin, 20, and sisters, Skylar, 7, and True, 2.
- ^ . Parade. July 18, 2004. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013.
- ^ "Actress Joely Fisher Joins Save the Children to Promote Child Sponsorship Programs" (Press release). Save the Children. September 8, 2008. from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
External links
- Joely Fisher at IMDb
- Joely Fisher at the Internet Broadway Database