Danica McKellar
Danica McKellar | |
---|---|
La Jolla, California, U.S. | |
Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles (BS) |
Occupation(s) | Actress, mathematics writer, education advocate |
Years active | 1985–present |
Spouses | Michael "Mike" Verta
(m. 2009; div. 2012)Scott Sveslosky (m. 2014) |
Children | 1 |
Danica Mae McKellar (born January 3, 1975)[1] is an American actress, mathematics writer, and education advocate. She is best known for playing Winnie Cooper in the television series The Wonder Years.
McKellar has appeared in various television films for the Hallmark Channel. She has also done voice acting, including Frieda Goren in Static Shock, Miss Martian in Young Justice, and Killer Frost in DC Super Hero Girls. In 2015, McKellar joined part of the main cast in the Netflix original series Project Mc2.
In addition to her acting work, McKellar later wrote seven non-fiction books, all dealing with mathematics: Math Doesn't Suck, Kiss My Math, Hot X: Algebra Exposed, Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape, which encourage middle-school and high-school girls to have confidence and succeed in mathematics, Goodnight, Numbers, and Do Not Open This Math Book.[2][3][4]
Early life and education
McKellar was born in
McKellar studied at the
Acting career
The Wonder Years and early acting career
At age seven, McKellar enrolled in weekend acting classes for children at the
Later acting career
This section of a poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. )Find sources: "Danica McKellar" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2020) |
McKellar has said that she found it "difficult" to move from being a child actress to an adult actress.
McKellar was featured in the video for Debbie Gibson's eighth single from the Electric Youth album, "No More Rhyme", which was released in 1989. She plays the cello in the beginning of the video.[19]
McKellar appeared in lingerie in the July 2005 edition of Stuff magazine[20] after readers voted her the 1990s star they would most like to see in lingerie. McKellar explained that she agreed to the shoot in part to obtain "grittier roles".[18]
In 2006, McKellar starred in a Lifetime film and web-based series titled Inspector Mom about a mother who solves mysteries.[21][22]
On the August 1, 2007, edition of the Don and Mike Show, a WJFK-FM radio program out of Washington, D.C., McKellar announced that the producers of How I Met Your Mother were planning to bring her back for a recurring role (she guest-starred on the show in late 2005 in "The Pineapple Incident" and again in early 2007 in "Third Wheel"). She also made an appearance on the show The Big Bang Theory, in the episode "The Psychic Vortex".[23]
In 2008, she starred in Heatstroke, a Sci-Fi Channel film about searching for alien life on Earth and in 2009 she was one of the stars commenting on the occurrences of the new millennium in VH1's I Love the New Millennium and was the math correspondent for Brink, a program by the Science Channel about technology. In 2013, she played Ellen Plainview in Lifetime's reimagining of the 1956 Alfred Hitchcock film The Wrong Man.
McKellar has also worked as a
In 2012, she starred in the Lifetime film Love at the Christmas Table with Dustin Milligan.
In January 2013, she starred in the Syfy film Tasmanian Devils with Apolo Ohno.
On August 20, 2013, Canadian singer
On March 4, 2014, she was announced to be competing on
McKellar and Chmerkovskiy were eliminated on Week 8, finishing in 6th place.She had a guest appearance in the Impractical Jokers season four episode six titled "The Blunder Years". She made another guest appearance in the season seven episode ten titled "Speech Impediment".
In 2015, she starred in the Netflix original series Project Mc2 as The Quail.
She has starred in several
McKellar is a judge on Fox’s Domino Masters[26] which premiered on March 9, 2022.[27]
Books
McKellar has authored several mathematics-related books primarily targeting adolescent readers interested in succeeding at the study of mathematics:
- McKellar, Danica; Mary Lynn Blasutta (2008). Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail. New York: ISBN 9780452289499.
- McKellar, Danica (2009). Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss. New York: Plume. ISBN 9780452295407.
- McKellar, Danica (2010). Hot X: Algebra Exposed. New York: Plume. ISBN 9780452297197.
- McKellar, Danica (2012). Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape. New York: Hudson Street Press. ISBN 9781594630941.
- McKellar, Danica (2018). Ten Magic Butterflies. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9781101933824.
- McKellar, Danica (2018). Do Not Open This Math Book. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9781101933985.
- McKellar, Danica (2019). Bathtime Mathtime. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9781101933961.
- McKellar, Danica (2020). The Times Machine. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9781101934029.
- McKellar, Danica (2022). Double Puppy Trouble. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9781101933862.
- McKellar, Danica (2022). Goodnight, Numbers. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9780593643556.
Her first book, Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail, was a New York Times bestseller,[2] and was favorably reviewed by Tara C. Smith, the founder of Iowa Citizens for Science and a professor of epidemiology at the University of Iowa.[28] The book also received a review from Anthony Jones, writing for the School Librarian journal, who described the book as "a trouble-shooting guide to help girls overcome their biggest maths challenges," noting what he described as "real-world examples of great mathematics in action."[29] In an interview with Smith, McKellar said that she wrote the book "to show girls that math is accessible and relevant, and even a little glamorous" and to counteract "damaging social messages telling young girls that math and science aren't for them".[30]
McKellar's second book, Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss,[31] was released on August 5, 2008. The book's target audience is girls in the 7th through 9th grades. Her third book, Hot X: Algebra Exposed![32] covers algebra topics, while the previous two titles were intended as "algebra-readiness books."[33] Hot X was published on August 3, 2010. Her fourth book, Girls Get Curves – Geometry Takes Shape,[34] focuses on the subject of geometry, and attempts to make the subject more accessible.[35]
Three of McKellar's books were listed in The New York Times children's bestseller list.[36][37] She received Mathical Honors for Goodnight, Numbers.[38]
Published papers
Chayes, L; McKellar, D; Winn, B (1998). "Percolation and Gibbs states multiplicity for ferromagnetic Ashkin–Teller models on " (PDF). .
Awards and honors
McKellar was named Person of the Week on
Personal life
McKellar married composer Mike Verta on March 22, 2009, in
On July 16, 2014, she became engaged to her boyfriend Scott Sveslosky, a partner in the Los Angeles legal firm
McKellar is a
Cultural references
McKellar's notoriety for Hallmark mystery films was spoofed in the 2019 film Knives Out, complete with the parody title Deadly By Surprise.[47]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | Sidekicks | Lauren | |
2001 | Good Neighbor | Molly Wright | |
XCU: Extreme Close Up | Sarah | ||
Speechless... | Dana Woodman | Short film | |
2002 | Sex and the Teenage Mind | Debbie | |
Black Hole | Rachael | ||
Reality School | Sexy Sally | Short film | |
Jane White Is Sick & Twisted | Tiffany | ||
The Year That Trembled | Pam Hatch | ||
Hip, Edgy, Sexy, Cool | Sissie | ||
2004 | Raising Genius | Lacy Baldwin | |
Intermission | Sleepwalker | Short film | |
Quiet Kill | Pet Shop Girl | ||
2007 | Hack! | Emily | |
2008 | Heatstroke | Caroline | |
2009 | 21 and a Wake-Up | Jenny Valentine | |
2010 | Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo | Madelyn Dinkley | Voice, direct-to-video[48] |
Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam | Sally | Voice, direct-to-video[48] | |
2012 | Flatland 2: Sphereland | Aero | Direct-to-video |
Mancation | Rebecca | ||
2014 | Where Hope Grows | Susan Malcolm | |
2017 | The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania! | Judy Jetson | Voice, direct-to-video[48] |
2018 | The Fiddling Horse | Leslie Heart | |
2018 | Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High | Frost | Voice, direct-to-video[48] |
2018 | DC Super Hero Girls: Legends of Atlantis | Frost | Voice, direct-to-video[48] |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1985–1987 | The Twilight Zone | Nola (age 10), Deidre Dobbs | 2 episodes |
1988–1993 | The Wonder Years | Winnie Cooper | Main role (Seasons 1-6) |
1989 | The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! | Patty | Voice, 2 episodes |
1990 | Camp Cucamonga | Lindsey Scott | Television film (NBC) |
1992 | Captain Planet and the Planeteers | Lisa | Voice, episode: "A Formula for Hate" |
1994 | Babylon 5 | Aria Tensus | Episode: "The War Prayer" |
Moment of Truth: Cradle of Conspiracy | Kristin Guthrie | Television film (NBC) | |
Walker, Texas Ranger | Laurie Maston | Episode: "Stolen Lullaby" | |
Sirens | Alison Trent | Episode: "Victims" | |
1996 | Justice for Annie: A Moment of Truth Movie | Annie Mills Carman | Television film (NBC) |
1998 | Love Boat: The Next Wave | Mary Dutton | Episode: "How Long Has This Been Going On?" |
Working | Jolie | 2 episodes | |
1999 | Random Play | Daughter | Episode: "1.4" |
2000–2004 | Static Shock | Frieda Goren | Voice, recurring role (15 episodes)[48] |
2001 | The Division | Wendy | Episode: "Don't Ask" |
Even Stevens | Sandrine | Episode: "Sibling Rivalry" | |
The Weakest Link
|
Herself | TV Child Stars Special Edition | |
2002 | Justice League | Sapphire Stagg | Voice, episode: "Metamorphosis"[48] |
2002–2003 | The West Wing | Elsie Snuffin | Recurring role (season 4) |
2004 | King of the Hill | Sharona, Misty | Voice, 2 episodes |
Game Over | Elsa, Renee | Voice, recurring role (season 1)[48] | |
Century City | Sally | Episode: "Without a Tracer" | |
Eve
|
Claudia | Episode: "Friend or Foe?" | |
2005 | NCIS | Erin Kendall | Episode: "Witness" |
Jack & Bobby | Keirsten | Episode: "And Justice for All" | |
NYPD Blue | Rosemary | Episode: "Moving Day" | |
Strong Medicine | Natalie Pascal | Episode: "Feeling No Pain" | |
Path of Destruction | Katherine Stern | Television film (Syfy) | |
How I Met Your Mother | Trudy | Episode: "The Pineapple Incident" | |
2006 | Inspector Mom | Maddie Monroe | Television film ( Lifetime )
|
Cyberchase | Wanda | Voice, episode: "Designing Mr. Perfect" | |
2006–2007 | Inspector Mom | Maddie Monroe | Recurring role (Season 1) |
2007 | Random! Cartoons | Katerina "Kat" Metropoulos | Voice, episode: "Girls on the Go: The First Date"[48] |
How I Met Your Mother | Trudy | Episode: "Third Wheel" | |
2010 | The Big Bang Theory | Abby | Episode: "The Psychic Vortex" |
2010–2013, 2019–2022 |
Young Justice | Miss Martian, Marie Logan, Tuppence Terror, Angel O'Day, Moira Malone, Reach Commercial Singer | Voice, main role[48] |
2010-2013 | Generator Rex | Claire | Voice, 3 episodes[48] |
2010 | G.I. Joe: Renegades | Sister Leia | Voice, episode: "Brothers of Light"[48] |
2012 | The Nerdist: Tribute to Science | Herself | Talk show |
Love at the Christmas Table | Katherine "Kat" Patton | Television film (Lifetime) | |
2013 | Tasmanian Devils | Alex | Television film (Syfy) |
The Secret Life of the American Teenager | Herself | Episode: "Interference" | |
Nerdist: Course of the Force | Bounty Hunter | Episode: "Michael Rooker & CM Punk: Lighstaber Hunt" | |
The Wrong Woman | Ellen Plainview | Television film (Lifetime) | |
2014 | Transformers: Rescue Bots | Hayley | Voice, 2 episodes[48] |
Dancing with the Stars | Herself | Contestant on season 18 ; finished in sixth place
| |
Phineas and Ferb | Becky | Voice, episode: "Doof 101/Father's Day" | |
2015 | King of the Nerds | Herself | Judge |
2015, 2017–2018 |
Impractical Jokers | Herself | 3 episodes |
2015 | Perfect Match (aka A Perfect Wedding) | Jessica Summers | Television film (Hallmark) |
Miss America 2016 | Herself | Judge | |
Crown for Christmas | Allie Evans | Television film (Hallmark) | |
2015–2017 | Project Mc2 | The Quail | Main role (Seasons 1–2,4–5) Netflix original series |
2015–2018 | DC Super Hero Girls | Frost | Voice, recurring role (Seasons 1-5)[48] |
2016 | My Christmas Dream | Christina | Television film (Hallmark) |
Wedding Bells | Molly | Television film (Hallmark) | |
2016–2018 | Shimmer and Shine | Layla, Generic Female Genie | Voice, 3 episodes[48] |
2017 | Mommy, I Didn't Do It | Ellen Plainview | Television film (Lifetime) |
Campfire Kiss | Dana | Television film (Hallmark) | |
Coming Home for Christmas | Lizzie | Television film (Hallmark) | |
2018 | Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Taylor Martin | Voice, episode: "Hypno! Part Deux!"[48] |
Very, Very, Valentine | Helen | Television film (Hallmark) | |
Love in Design | Hannah | Television film (Hallmark) | |
Christmas at Grand Valley | Kelly | Television film ( Hallmark Movies & Mysteries )
| |
2019 | Love and Sunshine | Ally Craig | Television film (Hallmark) |
The Matchmaker Mysteries: A Killer Engagement | Angie Dove | Television film (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) | |
Christmas at Dollywood | Rachel | Television film (Hallmark) | |
2020 | Matchmaker Mysteries: A Fatal Romance | Angie Dove | Television film (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) |
Christmas She Wrote | Kayleigh King | Television film (Hallmark) | |
2021 | Matchmaker Mysteries: The Art of the Kill | Angie Dove | Television film (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) |
2021–2022 | Home Economics | Allison | 2 episodes |
2021 | You, Me & the Christmas Trees | Olivia Arden | Television film (Hallmark) |
2022 | The Winter Palace | Emily Miller | Television film ( GAC Family )
|
Domino Masters | Herself | Judge[26] | |
The Wonder Years | Winnie Cooper | Episode: "Love & War" | |
Christmas at the Drive-In | Sadie Walker | Television film (GAC Family) | |
2023 | Swing into Romance | Christine Sims | Television film (GAC Family) |
Music videos
Year | Title | Role | Artist |
---|---|---|---|
1989 | "No More Rhyme" | Girl Playing Cello | Debbie Gibson |
2013 | "Rock n Roll" | Winnie Cooper | Avril Lavigne |
Video games
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2004 | X-Men Legends | Jubilee[48]
|
EverQuest II | Lolla Cotgrove / Pona | |
2006 | Marvel: Ultimate Alliance | Invisible Woman[48] |
2009 | Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 | Invisible Woman |
2013 | Young Justice: Legacy | Miss Martian, Batgirl[48] |
References
- ^ "UPI Almanac for Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019". United Press International. January 3, 2019. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
actor Danica McKellar in 1975 (age 44)
- ^ a b "Children's Books". The New York Times. September 28, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ "Math Books". DanicaMckellar.com. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ "Do Not Open This Math Book by Danica McKellar". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- ^ "Danica McKellar". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ "Danica McKellar Biography (1975–)". FilmReference.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions: ethnic background". Official website. Archived from the original on April 6, 2013.
- ^ "Accomplished Members". alphadeltapi.org. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ Frazier, Kendrick (2008). "Mickelson, McKellar tout science, math, and being smart". Skeptical Inquirer. 32 (6): 12.
- ISSN 0305-4470.
- ^ "USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2006: College Flashback: Danica McKellar". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
- ^ Tao, Terence (August 20, 2007). "Blog post by mathematician, and a former instructor of McKellar's, complimenting her book and explaining the theorem".
- ^ Chang, Kenneth (July 19, 2005). "2005-07-19". The New York Times.
- ^ "There's not much separating her from Bacon, Erdős". USA Today. August 14, 2007.
- ^ Randle, Nancy (January 23, 1991). "Mirror Image: It's No Wonder Danica Mckellar Is A Winsome Winnie". Chicago Tribune. No. January 23, 1991. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Danica McKellar". Maxim. February 1, 2010. Archived from the original on March 16, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ^ "Danica McKellar". Maxim. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Where are they now? – Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
- ^ Guerra, Joey (March 11, 2019). "Debbie Gibson's 'Electric Youth' album is 30 years old". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Midland, Texas.
- ^ "Danica McKellar pictures and bio". Stuff. Archived from the original on September 16, 2008.
- ^ "Winnie Cooper Goes Digital:McKellar to star in movies, webisodes for Lifetime". Zap2it. June 12, 2006. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
- ^ Cherkezian, Megan (November 17, 2006). "Wonder Years' Danica McKellar Fights Crime as "Inspector Mom"". TV Guide.
- ^ VanDerWerff, Emily (January 11, 2010). "The Big Bang Theory: "The Psychic Vortex"". The A.V. Club.
- ^ "96.5 TIC". 96.5 TIC. Archived from the original on January 30, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- ^ "Dancing With the Stars Cast Revealed! Cody Simpson, Nene Leakes and James Maslow Are Among the Names—See the Full List!". E! Online. March 4, 2014.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 17, 2021). "'Domino Masters': Danica McKellar, Vernon Davis & Steven Price Set As Judges On Fox Reality Series". Deadline. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 26, 2022). "Fox Spring Premiere Dates: More 'Masked Singer'; '9-1-1' Return; 'Domino Masters' Debuts, More". Deadline. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- ^ Smith, Tara (July 24, 2007). "Aetiology:Danica McKellar's "Math Doesn't Suck"". Aetiology. ScienceBlogs. Archived from the original on April 5, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
- ISSN 0036-6595. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
- ^ Smith, Tara (July 25, 2007). "Interview with math whiz, author, and actress Danica McKellar". Aetiology. ScienceBlogs. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
- ISBN 978-1-59463-049-1.
- ISBN 978-1-59463-070-5.
- ^ "Actress Danica McKellar Solves For 'X'". National Public Radio. August 6, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-59463-094-1. Archived from the originalon December 2, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
- ^ Lichtman, Flora (August 17, 2012). "Actress Danica McKellar Helps "Girls Get Curves"". Science Friday (Interview). Washington, D.C.: National Public Radio. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
- ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (August 22, 2010). "Children's Chapter Books". The New York Times. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ "Best Sellers: Children's Books". The New York Times. September 28, 2008. Retrieved May 10, 2009.
- ^ "Mathical Book Prizes 2021" (PDF).
- ^ "ABC News: Person of the Week: Danica McKellar". ABC News. Retrieved August 10, 2007.
- ^ Prizes And Awards (PDF). American Mathematical Society. January 2014. p. 35.
- ^ "Danica McKellar is Married!". People. March 22, 2009.
- ^ "Danica McKellar is Pregnant!". People. March 17, 2010.
- ^ "Danica McKellar Files for Divorce". People. June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on June 8, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ^ "'Wonder Years' actress Danica McKellar files for divorce". Chicago Sun-Times. June 12, 2012. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
- ^ "Danica McKellar Is Married!". People. November 20, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ a b Alcindor, Nicole (December 30, 2022). "'Wonder Years' star Danica McKellar says finding Christ has been 'a revolution in my life'". The Christian Post. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Jirak, Jamie (November 27, 2019). "Danica McKellar sent Rian Johnson the perfect Knives Out gift". Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Danica McKellar (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 30, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
External links
- Official website
- Danica McKellar on Twitter
- Danica McKellar at IMDb
- Danica McKellar's blog
- Website for McKellar Math
- Website of Math Doesn't Suck
- Website for Kiss My Math
- Interview with McKellar about her theorem at NPR
- February 2006 Proof and Prejudice: Women in Mathematics Conference, at which McKellar was a speaker
- Science Friday for September 21, 2007 with McKellar among the guests
- Public School Insights Interview with McKellar about girls and math