Not to be confused with Melissa Hart.
Melissa Joan 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 and
Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Early life
Hart was born 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.
Melissa Joan Hart Biography (1976-). FilmReference.com. Accessed 2008-01-11. Hart 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. Hart chose Catherine as her
confirmation name when she was in the eighth grade.
