Melissa Sagemiller Explained

Melissa Sagemiller
Occupation:Actress
Birth Place:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Spouse:Alex Nesic
Years Active:2001–2014
Alma Mater:University of Virginia
Children:2

Melissa Sagemiller is an American former actress, active from 2001 to 2014. She is known for her performances in films Get Over It (2001), Soul Survivors (2001), Sorority Boys (2002), The Clearing (2004), The Guardian (2006) and Mr. Woodcock (2007). Sagemiller also starred in television dramas Sleeper Cell (2005–06), and Raising the Bar (2008–09), and from 2010 to 2011 had the recurring role as A.D.A. Gillian Hardwicke in the .

Early life

Sagemiller was born in Washington, D.C., to Donna Sagemiller, a political activist mother who worked as a comptroller during Jimmy Carter's presidency.[1] [2] She attended Georgetown Day School. Her entry into the performing arts was at age 3 when she began studying tap dance, ballet, jazz dance and modern dance. She made her stage debut in To Kill a Mockingbird when she was 9 years old, and soon after she became a regular on her local stage. At 14, however, acting took a backseat to modeling after Sagemiller was scouted by Eileen Ford in a jewelry shop. She eventually left modeling to take an undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of Virginia.

Career

Shortly after graduation, she decided to return to acting full-time, and studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory, New York University's Stonestreet Studio and at Michael Howard Studios. Sagemiller was mentioned in Movieline magazine in August 2001.[3] In November 2001, Sagemiller appeared in Gear magazine.[4] In early career, she starred on number of teen films, like Get Over It and Sorority Boys, and was lead actress in 2002 thriller Soul Survivors.[5]

On television, Sagemiller portrayed the character Michelle Ernhardt in the TNT series Raising the Bar from 2008 to 2009. After that series was cancelled, Sagemiller joined in a recurring role as ADA Gillian Hardwicke. She replaced Paula Patton when Patton departed the series after just one episode. Sagemiller was featured in ten episodes of the 12th season of the series. She was replaced in the 13th season by Stephanie March and Diane Neal. In 2013, she was cast as a lead on Chicago Fire spinoff Chicago P.D.,[6] but left during pre-production.[7]

Sagemiller is one of numerous actresses who have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault and harassment.[8]

Personal life

Sagemiller became engaged in July 2006 to her Sleeper Cell co-star Alex Nesic after he proposed to her in the South of France. The couple have two children.[9]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
Rowspan=22001Get Over ItAllison McAllister
Soul SurvivorsCassie
2002Sorority BoysLeah
2003 Love ObjectLisa BellmerNominated — Chainsaw Award for Best Supporting Actress
2004The ClearingJill Hayes
Rowspan=22005Standing StillSamantha
Life on the LedgeClaire
2006The GuardianEmily Thomas
2007Mr. WoodcockTracy Detweiller
2010In FidelityNicole / PamelaShort film
2013 All I Want for ChristmasElizabethTelevision film
2014Santa ConCarol Guthrie

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000Becky SorensonEpisode: "Russian Love Poem"
2005Without a TraceCarmen KuskowskiEpisode: "When Darkness Falls "
2005–2006Sleeper CellGayle Bishop Series regular, 17 episodes
2009Eleventh HourSofia LyonsEpisode: "Medea"
2008–2009Raising the BarMichelle ErnhardtSeries regular, 25 episodes
2010The Rockford FilesBeth DavenportTV pilot
2010–2011A.D.A. Gillian HardwickeRecurring role, 10 episodes
2013 Chicago FireRowspan=2Detective Julia WillhiteEpisode: "Let Her Go"
Rowspan=22014Chicago P.D.Episode: "Stepping Stone"
Person of InterestSandra NicholsonEpisode: "Last Call"

Notes and References

  1. News: Martin . Schram . Kennedy's Decision to Stay in the Race . . February 5, 1980 . July 30, 2018.
  2. Web site: Changing of the Guard. Jimmy Carter library. 17 November 1980.
  3. Hype: Eliza Dushku. July 5, 2008. Maynard. Kevin. 12. 11. Movieline. 20. August 1, 2008.
  4. Front. July 5, 2008. Martin. Michael. Gear. 22–23. November 2001. November 18, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061118020510/http://www.mopublishing.com/gear1101.htm.
  5. Web site: Melissa Sagemiller Biography . . April 20, 2011 . November 10, 2013 . April 28, 2013 . https://archive.today/20130428190849/http://movies.yahoo.com/person/melissa-sagemiller/biography.html.
  6. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Melissa Sagemiller To Star In NBC's 'Chicago Fire' Spinoff. Deadline Hollywood. November 10, 2013. April 10, 2013.
  7. Web site: Michael. Ausiello. 'Chicago PD' Season 1: Melissa Sagemiller Leaving, Jesse Lee Sofer Joins Cast. TVLine. June 13, 2013. November 10, 2013.
  8. Web site: Actress Melissa Sagemiller Recalls Being Forced to Kiss Harvey Weinstein. Dee. Lockett. Vulture.com. October 13, 2017.
  9. News: At Home on the Red Carpet. September 8, 2006. The Washington Post. November 30, 2009. Amy. Argetsinger. Roxanne. Roberts.