Josie Bissett
Encyclopedia
Josie Bissett is the stage name
of Jolyn Christine Heutmaker (born October 5, 1970), an American actress best known for her role as Jane Mancini on the television series Melrose Place.
, Bissett began her career in front of the camera at the age of 12 as a model in print advertisements and television commercials.
to further her career. At 17, she headed to Hollywood.
In early 1990, Bissett played a recurring role on the sitcom The Hogan Family
for two seasons. In 1992, she was cast as fashion designer Jane Andrews-Mancini on the primetime soap opera Melrose Place. Bissett remained with the series for four and a half seasons until halfway through the 1996-97 season when she suffered a real-life miscarriage. She then took some time off from the series, but returned to the show in 1998 for its final season. In 2009-10, Bissett made guest appearances in two episodes of The CW's updated version of Melrose Place
, reprising her role as Jane Andrews-Mancini.
She has made appearances in such projects as the telefilms The Fire Above and Dare to Love on ABC, Deadly Vows on FOX, Baby Monitor: Sound of Fear on USA, and I Do, They Don't on ABC Family
. She has also made numerous guest-starring appearances, such as a 2003 appearance on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
. In 2008, she began a recurring role on the ABC Family TV series The Secret Life of the American Teenager
. She starred in the Lifetime Television
original film The Other Woman, based on the novel by Joy Fielding
and directed by Jason Priestley
. It debuted on June 28, 2008.
Bissett's feature film debut was in 1991, in Oliver Stone
's The Doors
, as the girlfriend of Doors'
guitarist Robby Krieger
. Her subsequent films include the coming-of-age comedy Book of Love and the psychological thriller Mikey.
Bissett has hosted television shows on the topic of parenting, including Parenting & Beyond, which offered parents creative solutions to everyday problems. She also hosted the PBS educational special Teach More, Love More which follows four families, each with a child in a stage of early childhood development.
She has appeared on several magazine covers, including TV Guide
, Rolling Stone
, Entertainment Weekly
, Shape's Fit Pregnancy and New Woman.
Bissett has been the face of several national commercial campaigns, including Neutrogena
's skin care line, Dr. Scholl's Pedicure Essentials, and Murad Skin Care.
She has co-edited two books, Little Bits Of Wisdom and Making Memories, which compile parenting stories and advice from parents around the world. She also authored a children's book, Tickle Monster, released in April 2008.
(who also starred on Melrose Place) were married in 1992, and divorced in 2006. Bissett suffered a miscarriage
in 1996, but the couple later had two children together — Mason Tru (born 21 July 1999) and Maya Rose (born 14 April 2002). Bissett resides in Seattle with her mother Linda.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
of Jolyn Christine Heutmaker (born October 5, 1970), an American actress best known for her role as Jane Mancini on the television series Melrose Place.
Early life
A native of Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, Bissett began her career in front of the camera at the age of 12 as a model in print advertisements and television commercials.
Career
At 16, she left home and moved to JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
to further her career. At 17, she headed to Hollywood.
In early 1990, Bissett played a recurring role on the sitcom The Hogan Family
The Hogan Family
The Hogan Family is an American television situation comedy that aired from March 1, 1986 to July 20, 1991...
for two seasons. In 1992, she was cast as fashion designer Jane Andrews-Mancini on the primetime soap opera Melrose Place. Bissett remained with the series for four and a half seasons until halfway through the 1996-97 season when she suffered a real-life miscarriage. She then took some time off from the series, but returned to the show in 1998 for its final season. In 2009-10, Bissett made guest appearances in two episodes of The CW's updated version of Melrose Place
Melrose Place (2009 TV series)
Melrose Place is an American television series broadcast on The CW Television Network from September 8, 2009 to April 13, 2010. The fifth series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise, it is an updated version of the 1990s Fox prime time drama of the same name, featuring a group of young adults...
, reprising her role as Jane Andrews-Mancini.
She has made appearances in such projects as the telefilms The Fire Above and Dare to Love on ABC, Deadly Vows on FOX, Baby Monitor: Sound of Fear on USA, and I Do, They Don't on ABC Family
ABC Family
ABC Family, stylized as abc family, is an American television network, owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company...
. She has also made numerous guest-starring appearances, such as a 2003 appearance on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
. In 2008, she began a recurring role on the ABC Family TV series The Secret Life of the American Teenager
The Secret Life of the American Teenager
The Secret Life of the American Teenager is an American teen drama television series created by Brenda Hampton. It first aired on ABC Family on July 1, 2008. The show was renewed for a second season consisting of 24 episodes on February 9, 2009, which began airing on June 22, 2009...
. She starred in the Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television, often referred to as Lifetime TV, or most commonly, Lifetime, is an American cable television specialty channel devoted to movies, sitcoms and dramas, all of which are either geared toward women or feature women in lead roles. The cable network is owned by A&E Television Networks...
original film The Other Woman, based on the novel by Joy Fielding
Joy Fielding
Joy Fielding is a Canadian novelist and actress. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.-Biography:Born in Toronto, Ontario, she graduated from the University of Toronto in 1966, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature...
and directed by Jason Priestley
Jason Priestley
Jason Bradford Priestley is a Canadian-American actor and director. He is best known as the virtuous Brandon Walsh on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, a role which catapulted him to recognition in the early 1990s....
. It debuted on June 28, 2008.
Bissett's feature film debut was in 1991, in Oliver Stone
Oliver Stone
William Oliver Stone is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Stone became well known in the late 1980s and the early 1990s for directing a series of films about the Vietnam War, for which he had previously participated as an infantry soldier. His work frequently focuses on...
's The Doors
The Doors (film)
The Doors is a 1991 biopic about the 1960s-1970s rock band of the same name which emphasizes the life of its lead singer, Jim Morrison. It was directed by Oliver Stone, and stars Val Kilmer as Morrison, Meg Ryan as Pamela Courson , Kyle MacLachlan as Ray Manzarek, Frank Whaley as Robby Krieger,...
, as the girlfriend of Doors'
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
guitarist Robby Krieger
Robby Krieger
Robert Alan "Robby" Krieger is an American rock guitarist and songwriter. He was the guitarist in The Doors, and wrote some of the band's best known songs, including "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times," "Touch Me," and "Love Her Madly."...
. Her subsequent films include the coming-of-age comedy Book of Love and the psychological thriller Mikey.
Bissett has hosted television shows on the topic of parenting, including Parenting & Beyond, which offered parents creative solutions to everyday problems. She also hosted the PBS educational special Teach More, Love More which follows four families, each with a child in a stage of early childhood development.
She has appeared on several magazine covers, including TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
, Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, Shape's Fit Pregnancy and New Woman.
Bissett has been the face of several national commercial campaigns, including Neutrogena
Neutrogena
Neutrogena is an American brand of premium-priced skin care, hair care and cosmetics, that is headquartered at Los Angeles, California. According to product advertising at their website, Neutrogena products are distributed in more than 70 countries....
's skin care line, Dr. Scholl's Pedicure Essentials, and Murad Skin Care.
She has co-edited two books, Little Bits Of Wisdom and Making Memories, which compile parenting stories and advice from parents around the world. She also authored a children's book, Tickle Monster, released in April 2008.
Personal life
Bissett and actor Rob EstesRob Estes
Robert Estes is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Harry Wilson on the Teen drama 90210, as Sgt. Chris Lorenzo on the Crime drama Silk Stalkings, and as Kyle McBride on the Primetime Soap opera Melrose Place.-Career:Estes first became interested in an acting career while training...
(who also starred on Melrose Place) were married in 1992, and divorced in 2006. Bissett suffered a miscarriage
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
in 1996, but the couple later had two children together — Mason Tru (born 21 July 1999) and Maya Rose (born 14 April 2002). Bissett resides in Seattle with her mother Linda.
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Fear In The Dark | Daniela Foster | |
| Hitcher In The Dark | Tiffany | Supporting role | |
| 1990 | Book of Love Book of Love (1990 film) Book of Love is a 1990 romantic comedy film directed by New Line Cinema producer Robert Shaye. It is based on the autobiographical novel Jack in the Box by William Kotzwinkle .The film was originally PG-13, but subsequent DVD releases have been the R-rated Director's Cut Book of Love is a 1990... |
Sophie Armstrong | Main role |
| No Going Back | Steph | Supporting role | |
| 1991 | The Doors The Doors (film) The Doors is a 1991 biopic about the 1960s-1970s rock band of the same name which emphasizes the life of its lead singer, Jim Morrison. It was directed by Oliver Stone, and stars Val Kilmer as Morrison, Meg Ryan as Pamela Courson , Kyle MacLachlan as Ray Manzarek, Frank Whaley as Robby Krieger,... |
Casey Scott | Main role |
| I Posed for Playboy | Claire | Main role | |
| 1992 | Halfway House Halfway house The purpose of a halfway house, also called a recovery house or sober house, is generally to allow people to begin the process of reintegration with society, while still providing monitoring and support; this is generally believed to reduce the risk of recidivism or relapse when compared to a... |
Debbera "Debbie" Sutherland | Main role |
| Lies, Or Things That Arnt True | Cindy Kunningham | Supporting role | |
| Secrets Secrets (1992 film) Secrets, also known as Danielle Steel's Secrets, is a 1992 television film directed by Peter H. Hunt. The film is based upon the 1985 novel of the same name written by Danielle Steel... |
Gabby Smith | Supporting role | |
| Mikey Mikey (film) Mikey is a 1992 horror film directed by Dennis Dimster and starring Brian Bonsall. The film centers on the character of Mikey Holt, a young boy who is adopted by a family after his previous adoptive family dies... |
Jesse Owens | Main role | |
| 1993 | All American Murder | Tally Fuller | Main role |
| 1994 | Deadly Vows | Bobby Gilbert Weston | Main role |
| 1995 | Hot and Steamy | Leanne | Supporting role |
| 1996 | Dare To Love | Jessica Wells | Main role |
| 1998 | Baby Monitor: Sound of Fear | Ann Lenz | Main role |
| 2000 | Man-Child | Donna Goodwhin | |
| 2005 | I Do They Dont | Carrie Lewalyon | Main role |
| The Other Woman The Other Woman The Other Woman , is a 1995 made-for-TV movie that follows dying mother Tessa Bryan's attempts to gain the acceptance of her two young daughters Lara and Kate of her husband Michael's second wife Carolyn. To do so, she takes them on a trip across the country to their father's ranch... |
Haylie | Supporting role | |
| Hollywood | Herself | Cameo | |
| Call off The Doggs | Tammy Crustrissna | Supporting role | |
| Gimmie The Truth | Holly | Main role | |
| The Facts | Lynnette America | Main role | |
| 2006 | Obituary | Denise Wilcox | Main role |
| 2008 | Joy Fielding's The Other Woman | Jill Plumley | Main role |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | No. Episodes | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1990 | Doogie Howser | Crista Benson | 10 episodes | 1 |
| 1990 | Quantum Leap | Becky | 1 episode | 3 |
| 1990–1991 | The Hogan Family The Hogan Family The Hogan Family is an American television situation comedy that aired from March 1, 1986 to July 20, 1991... |
Cara | 11 episodes | 5–6 |
| 1991 | Parker Lewis Can't Lose Parker Lewis Can't Lose Parker Lewis Can't Lose is an American teen sitcom that originally aired on FOX from September 1990 to June 1993. During the last season, the series sported the simpler title Parker Lewis. The series was produced by Columbia Pictures Television and was strongly influenced by the feature film Ferris... |
Sarah | 1 episode | 1 |
| 1992 | P.S. I Luv U P.S. I Luv U P.S. I Luv U is an American crime drama series that aired on CBS as a part of its 1991-92 schedule. The title derived from the phone number of fictitious Palm Security and Investigations, which was 774-5888, which can be reached by dialing "PSI-LUVU" on a standard North American... |
Dianne Peters | 4 episodes | 2 |
| 1992 | Burke's Law Burke's Law Burke's Law is a detective series that ran on ABC from 1963 to 1965 and was revived on CBS in the 1990s. The show starred Gene Barry as Amos Burke, millionaire captain of Los Angeles police homicide division, who was chauffeured around to solve crimes in his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud... |
Connie O'Neal | 1 episode | 7 |
| 1992–1997, 1998–1999 | Melrose Place | Jane Andrews-Mancini | 172 episodes | 1–5, 7 |
| 2003 | Law and Order: SVU | Jennifer Fulton | 1 episode | 5 |
| 2008— | The Secret Life of the American Teenager The Secret Life of the American Teenager The Secret Life of the American Teenager is an American teen drama television series created by Brenda Hampton. It first aired on ABC Family on July 1, 2008. The show was renewed for a second season consisting of 24 episodes on February 9, 2009, which began airing on June 22, 2009... |
Kathleen Bowman | 22 episodes | 1— |
| 2009–10 | Melrose Place (2nd series) Melrose Place (2009 TV series) Melrose Place is an American television series broadcast on The CW Television Network from September 8, 2009 to April 13, 2010. The fifth series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise, it is an updated version of the 1990s Fox prime time drama of the same name, featuring a group of young adults... |
Jane Andrews | 2 episodes | 1 |