Kari Michaelsen

Kari Michaelsen (born Kari Markussen; November 3, 1961) is a former American actress, television personality, and motivational speaker. She is best known for her role as Katie Kanisky on the NBC sitcom Gimme a Break! (1981–1987).

Biography

Born in Manhattan, Michaelsen followed her parents into show business. Her father, Arne Markussen, was a singer; and her mother, Roberta Stevenson, was a dancer. She sang on the soundtrack for Sesame Street and was performing in Off-Broadway plays by age 11. In 1975, her family moved to Beverly Hills, and Michaelsen (who changed her name from Markussen) began appearing on television shows such as, Diff'rent Strokes and Eight Is Enough.

Michaelsen graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1979 and studied at University of California, Los Angeles. She retired from television work in 2001. Kari has been doing public speaking and hosting educational seminars since 1990. She married David Waldock, a Mercedes-Benz executive, in July 2002. Michaelsen and Waldock divorced in 2009. They have a son named Nickolas.

Michaelsen dated pop star Andy Gibb in 1983. Michaelsen is longtime friends with retired actress Kristy McNichol.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1976 Joy Ride: An Auto Theft Kari Short 1981 Saturday the 14th Debbie Hyatt 1984 Terror in the Aisles Herself 1989 Girl Talk Marcia

Television Year Title Role Notes 1980 Scared Straight! Another Story Television film 1980 Diff'rent Strokes Ellen Marshall Episode: "Little Mother" 1980 ABC Afterschool Special Karala Murtaugh Episode: "The Gymnast" 1981 The Choice Teenager Television film 1981 Eight Is Enough Lisa Episode: "Vows" 1981 CHiPs Teri Episode: "Karate" 1981 The Incredible Hulk Linda Episode: "The First: Part 1" 1981-86 Gimme a Break! Kathleen "Katie" Kanisky Main role 1981-1983 Rosie Kelly Larson 25 episodes 1982Fantasy Island Cassie 1 episode 1983 The Kid with the 200 I.Q. Julie Gordon Television film 1983 ABC Afterschool Special Fran Davies Episode: "Have You Ever Been Ashamed of Your Parents?" 1983 Hart to Hart Lisa Carrigan Episode: "Trust Your Hart" 1989 Full House Stacey Fleetwood Episode: "Joey & Stacy and... Oh, Yeah, Jesse"

Awards and nominations + Year Award Category Title of work Result 1983 Young Artist Award Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series Gimme a Break! 1984 Young Artist Award Best Young Actress in a Movie Made for Television The Kid with the 200 I.Q.