August 28, 2020

Hello Fans,

Today's featured celebrity is Kari Michaelsen! You may remember her as Katie Kanisky on the hit NBC sitcom Gimme a Break!, during it's six year run.

You'll be surprised where she can be seen these days!

And don't forget to vote early and often! I added NEW celebs to our celebrity suggestions list very recently so be sure to go to Celebrity Suggestions check out who's in the running and VOTE or send in your suggestions. Vote UP or DOWN on all of the listed celebrities. And vote as many times as you want!

Take care,
Steve

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Kari Michaelsen

Learn More About Kari Michaelsen, see Then & Now pictures, and find out What She's Been Up To on Celebrity Nooz

BIRTH DATE: November 3, 1961 in New York City, New York, USA

BIRTH NAME: Kari Markussen

CLAIM TO FAME: Kari Michaelsen is an American actress, television personality, and motivational speaker, best known for her role as Katie Kanisky on the hit NBC sitcom Gimme a Break! (1981-1987).

FAMILY LIFE: Michaelsen married David Waldock, a Mercedes-Benz executive, in July 2002. The couple have a son named Nickolas. Michaelsen and David Waldock later divorced in 2009.

INFO: Born in Manhattan and soon followed her parents into show business. Her father, Arne Markussen, is a singer. Her mother, Roberta Stevenson, was a dancer.

Is of Norwegian heritage.

Graduated from Beverly Hills (CA) High School in 1979.

Studied psychology at UCLA, but her interest in business led her to marketing and promotion.

She sang on the soundtrack for Sesame Street and was performing in Off-Broadway plays by age 11.

She's the Brand Ambassador and Creative Consultant for Barefoot Dreams.

TRIVIA: Auditioned for the role of Jo Polniaczek on The Facts of Life (1979).

Beat out Helen Hunt for the role of Katie on Gimme a Break! (1981).

Michaelsen dated pop star Andy Gibb in 1983.

Was nominated for the Young Artist Award twice. In 1983, for Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series - Gimme a Break! and in 1984, for Best Young Actress in a Movie Made for Television - The Kid with the 200 I.Q.

Although "Circus of the Stars" performers are typically not allowed to keep their costumes from the show, Michaelsen liked hers so much that she smuggled it home and still has it.

Worried That You Have Inferior Hand Sanitizer? PURIFIZE Is USA-MADE And EXCEEDS CDC Recommendations!

WEBSITE: karimichaelsen.com

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Michaelsen retired from television work in 2001. Since 1990 she has stayed in the public eye as with high profile public speaking engagements and hosting educational seminars.

CREDITS:

1989 Girl Talk...Marcia

1989 Full House (TV Series)...Stacey Fleetwood
- Joey & Stacy and... Oh, Yeah, Jesse (1989) ... Stacey Fleetwood

1981-1986 Gimme a Break! (TV Series)...Katie Kanisky
- Sam Goes to College: Part 2 (1986) ... Katie Kanisky
- Sam Goes to College: Part 1 (1986) ... Katie Kanisky
- The Purse Snatcher (1986) ... Katie Kanisky
- Found Money (1986) ... Katie Kanisky
- Katie's Korner (1986) ... Katie Kanisky
Show all 111 episodes

1983 Hart to Hart (TV Series)...Lisa
- Trust Your Hart (1983) ... Lisa

1980-1983 ABC Afterschool Specials (TV Series)...Fran Davies / Karala Murtaugh
- Have You Ever Been Ashamed of Your Parents? (1983) ... Fran Davies
- The Gymnast (1980) ... Karala Murtaugh (as Kari Markussen)

1983 The Kid with the 200 I.Q. (TV Movie)...Julie Gordon

1982 Fantasy Island (TV Series)...Cassie
- Legends/The Perfect Gentleman (1982) ... Cassie

1981 Saturday the 14th...Debbie Hyatt

1981 The Incredible Hulk (TV Series)...Linda
- The First: Part 2 (1981) ... Linda
- The First: Part 1 (1981) ... Linda

1981 CHiPs (TV Series)...Teri
- Karate (1981) ... Teri

1981 Eight Is Enough (TV Series)...Lisa
- Vows (1981) ... Lisa

1981 The Choice (TV Movie)...Teenager

1980 Diff'rent Strokes (TV Series)...Ellen Marshall
- Little Mother (1980) ... Ellen Marshall

1980 Scared Straight! Another Story (TV Movie)

1976 Joy Ride: An Auto Theft (Short)...Kari (as Kari Markussen)

To see Then & Now pictures of Kari Michaelsen, visit: Celebrity Nooz