Melissa Sagemiller

Last updated
Melissa Sagemiller
Born
Alma mater University of Virginia
OccupationActress
Years active2001–2014
Spouse Alex Nesic
Children2

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 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit .

Contents

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.[ citation needed ]

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 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 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
2001 Get Over It Allison McAllister
Soul Survivors Cassie
2002 Sorority Boys Leah
2003 Love Object Lisa BellmerNominated — Chainsaw Award for Best Supporting Actress
2004 The Clearing Jill Hayes
2005 Standing Still Samantha
Life on the LedgeClaire
2006 The Guardian Emily Thomas
2007 Mr. Woodcock Tracy Detweiller
2010In FidelityNicole / PamelaShort film
2013All I Want for ChristmasElizabethTelevision film
2014Santa ConCarol Guthrie

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Becky SorensonEpisode: "Russian Love Poem"
2005 Without a Trace Carmen KuskowskiEpisode: "When Darkness Falls "
2005–2006 Sleeper Cell Gayle BishopSeries regular, 17 episodes
2009 Eleventh Hour Sofia LyonsEpisode: "Medea"
2008–2009 Raising the Bar Michelle ErnhardtSeries regular, 25 episodes
2010 The Rockford Files Beth DavenportTV pilot
2010–2011 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit A.D.A. Gillian HardwickeRecurring role, 10 episodes
2013 Chicago Fire Detective Julia WillhiteEpisode: "Let Her Go"
2014 Chicago P.D. Episode: "Stepping Stone"
Person of Interest Sandra NicholsonEpisode: "Last Call"

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References

  1. Schram, Martin (February 5, 1980). "Kennedy's Decision to Stay in the Race". The Washington Post . Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  2. "Changing of the Guard" (PDF). Jimmy Carter library. 17 November 1980.
  3. Maynard, Kevin (August 1, 2008). "Hype: Eliza Dushku". Movieline . Vol. 12, no. 11. p. 20. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  4. Martin, Michael (November 2001). "Front". Gear . pp. 22–23. Archived from the original on November 18, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  5. "Melissa Sagemiller Biography". Yahoo! Movies . April 20, 2011. Archived from the original on April 28, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  6. Andreeva, Nellie (April 10, 2013). "Melissa Sagemiller To Star In NBC's 'Chicago Fire' Spinoff". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  7. Ausiello, Michael (June 13, 2013). "'Chicago PD' Season 1: Melissa Sagemiller Leaving, Jesse Lee Sofer Joins Cast". TVLine . Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  8. Lockett, Dee (October 13, 2017). "Actress Melissa Sagemiller Recalls Being Forced to Kiss Harvey Weinstein". Vulture.com .
  9. Argetsinger, Amy; Roberts, Roxanne (September 8, 2006). "At Home on the Red Carpet". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 30, 2009.