Kari Michaelsen
| Kari Michaelsen | |
|---|---|
| Born |
November 3, 1961 Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, motivational speaker |
| Years active |
Acting (1970s–2001) Motivational speaking (1990–present) |
| Spouse(s) |
David Waldock (2002–2009; 1 child) |
| Website | https://michaelsenenterprises.com |
Kari Michaelsen (born Kari Markussen on November 3, 1961) is an American actress and motivational speaker. As an actress, she is best known for her role as Katie Kanisky on sitcom Gimme a Break! (1981–1987).
Born in Manhattan, Michaelsen followed her parents into show business. Her father, Arne Markussen, is a singer. Her mother, Roberta Stevenson, was a dancer. She sang on the soundtrack for Sesame Street and was performing in Off-Broadway plays by age 11. In 1975 her family moved to Beverly Hills and Michaelsen (who changed her name from Markussen) soon won guest spots on such shows as Diff'rent Strokes and Eight Is Enough. Her father is of Norwegian heritage.[1]
She graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1979 and studied at University of California, Los Angeles. She retired from television work in 2001. Kari has been doing public speaking and hosting educational seminars since 1990. She married David Waldock, a Mercedes-Benz executive, in July 2002. The couple had a son named Nickolas. Michaelsen and David Waldock were divorced in 2009.[2]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Joy Ride: An Auto Theft | Kari | Short |
| 1981 | Saturday the 14th | Debbie | |
| 1989 | Girl Talk | Marcia |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Scared Straight! Another Story | TV film | |
| 1980 | Diff'rent Strokes | Ellen Marshall | "Little Mother" |
| 1980 | ABC Afterschool Special | Karala Murtaugh | "The Gymnast" |
| 1981 | Choice, TheThe Choice | Teenager | TV film |
| 1981 | Eight Is Enough | Lisa | "Vows" |
| 1981 | CHiPs | Teri | "Karate" |
| 1981 | Incredible Hulk, TheThe Incredible Hulk | Linda | "The First: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 1981-86 | Gimme a Break! | Kathleen 'Katie' Kanisky | Main role |
| 1982 | Fantasy Island | Cassie | 1 episode |
| 1983 | Kid with the 200 I.Q., TheThe Kid with the 200 I.Q. | Julie Gordon | TV film |
| 1983 | ABC Afterschool Special | Fran Davies | "Have You Ever Been Ashamed of Your Parents?" |
| 1983 | Hart to Hart | Lisa | "Trust Your Hart" |
| 1989 | Full House | Stacey Fleetwood | "Joey & Stacy and... Oh, Yeah, Jesse" |
References
- ↑ Former Gimme a Break Star Kari Michaelsen Returns to TV as a Talk Show Host People Magazine. December 10, 2001)
- ↑ The Get Motivated! tour that barnstormed into St. Louis last week is as American as a get-rich-quick scheme, By Sarah Fenske of the Riverfront Times, May 5, 2011