Game World!

Join A World Of Gamers

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Followers

Popular Posts

Saturday 10 October 2020

Barbara Niven

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to navigationJump to search
Barbara Niven
Barbara Niven headshot no.2 taken in 2015.jpg
Barbara Niven, 2015
Born
Barbara Lee Bucholz

February 26, 1953 (age 67)
Other names
  • Barbara Lee Alexander
  • Barby Bucholz
  • Barbara Lee Niven
Citizenship
  • United States
  • Canada
Occupation
  • Actress
  • writer
  • media trainer
Years active1986–present
Spouse(s)
  • Ronald Garrison
    (m. 1974, divorced)
  • David Alexander
    (m. 1985, divorced)
  • David Niven, Jr.
    (m. 1993div. 1998)
Children1
Websitebarbaraniven.com
Signature
Autograph of Barbara Niven from Print of Affirmation Num4 purchased online.jpg

Barbara Niven (née Bucholz; born February 26, 1953) is an American actress, writer and producer, best known for her performances in Hallmark and Lifetime movies, and television roles in Pensacola: Wings of GoldOne Life to LiveCedar Cove, and Chesapeake Shores. Niven had the leading role in the independent film A Perfect Ending (2012). She is also a motivational speaker, media trainer, and animal rights activist and spokesperson, as a National Ambassador for American Humane.

Early life

Barbara Lee Bucholz was born in 1953[1] in Portland, Oregon, to parents George and Edie Bucholz,[2] has two sisters, Shelley[3] and Kim, and attended David Douglas High School. Has stated she knew when she was five that she wanted to be an actress.[4] Niven grew up hunting and fishing[5] and was a senior in high school before getting involved in acting.[6]

After high school, she attended college for six months[7] and sold commercial real estate. She married at twenty-one and had a business with her husband.[8] Niven became a mother at twenty-six.[9] After a divorce, and with no child support, she found a place to live with roommates to help with expenses.

Her ten year high school reunion committee mailed a questionnaire with the final inquiry, "have you achieved everything in your life that you thought you would by now?" The realization she had not started acting had Niven declare to herself that she was "going to be an actor" and "going to be in show business somehow." Acknowledging a penchant for being on camera and knowing she enjoyed writing, she decided to look for a job in news reporting.[4]

Career

Getting started

Niven went to see the news director at KGW in Portland and asked to make sample stories for him to critique. She promised to ‘pay it forward’ if she had a successful career. He agreed and provided a typical script. She was later hired as an intern, and her story about the White House Easter Egg Roll made the network news.[4]

She spent hours reading from the theater section of Powell's Books and memorized a monologue from Neil Simon’s Chapter Two. In the early 80s, there was a nationwide search to replace the character Tina Lord on One Life to Live. One audition was held in Seattle. Niven drove in freezing rain from Portland, taped the monologue, and drove back home without telling anyone what she had done. She was one of several people chosen to go to New York for a screen test.[10]

In New York she was told by Mari Lyn Henry, then ABC casting director,[11] that she did not have star quality and her voice would only lead to victims' roles.[12] She went back to Portland determined to work on her voice and her craft. She got a retired radio man to be her voice coach. She was cast in Hallmark Hall of Fame’s 1986 Promise, which filmed in Oregon. She received her SAG card on this movie.[13] When her daughter was ten,[14] she packed their belongings into a truck and trailer and moved to Los Angeles.

Television and film

For twelve years, she attended the master classes[15] of Milton Katselas at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.[16] Between 1986-1993 she was billed as Barbara Lee Alexander, and as Barbara Lee Niven for the film Lone Tiger (1994).see Filmography She is known for her roles on soap operas The Bold and the Beautiful as Brenda Dickerson, and in One Life to Live as Liz Coleman Reynolds.[17] [18] [19]

She served for three years on the National Board of Directors for the Screen Actors Guild.[20] From March 20 - September 8, 1989, she was hostess and announcer, with host Michael Burger, for the syndicated game show, Straight to the Heart.[21] [22]

Niven starred on the syndicated drama series Pensacola: Wings of Gold (1998-2000). Niven also has appeared in guest roles on numerous television series, including ERCold CaseLas VegasNCISCharmedEli Stone, and Parks and Recreation. Additionally, she had multiple roles on Silk Stalkings, and a recurring role on Pacific Palisades.

She played Marilyn Monroe in the HBO film The Rat Pack[19] (1998) and has appeared in many films such as Under Lock and Key (1995), Forest Warrior (1996), Foxfire (1996), Breast Men (1997), The Drone Virus (2004), Chasing Ghosts (2005), Redline (2007) and Summer's Blood (2009). She had the leading role in A Perfect Ending (2012)[23] and co-starred with Kat Dennings and Ray Wise in the horror comedy Suburban Gothic (2014).[24]

Niven has also appeared in a number of Lifetime movies - Stranger in My Bed (2005), The Perfect Neighbor (2005), Double Cross (2006), Murder in My House (2006), A Valentine Carol (2007), Dead at 17 (2008), Accused at 17 (2009), Heat Wave (2009), My Mother's Secret (2012), The Wife He Met Online (2012), and Disney Channel's Tiger Cruise (2004).

She has multiple credits for Hallmark, starting with her first role in Hallmark Hall of Fame's Promise (1986), with James Garner and James Woods. Other appearances are in Wedding Daze (2004), Back to You and Me (2005), Mystery Woman: Wild West Mystery (2006), McBride: Semper Fi (2007), and Moonlight & Mistletoe (2008). In 2013, Niven was cast in Hallmark Channel's first original drama series Cedar Cove, opposite Andie MacDowell and Bruce Boxleitner.[25] Niven is currently appearing in the series Chesapeake Shores with Treat Williams and Diane Ladd. For Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, she has been cast in the Murder, She Baked and Crossword Mysteries movie series.

Speaker and coach

Barbara Niven has made motivational speeches and said that if she could become an actor as a single mother at thirty, anyone should be able to fulfill their dreams. She has spoken to school classes, professional groups, and on television shows. The subjects have included: "Giving up Perfect to Claim Your Dreams", "Paralyzed to Powerful" (tips to save yourself from a stalker), "Eating Disorders & Pressures to be Perfect", and "The Pressure to be Thin in Hollywood".[26]

She has done media training[27] for individuals and corporations. Niven has a studio and developed workshops to educate people to make a positive impression with speaking, presentation, and media video. Her instructions include: for presentations, consciously create a character with voice, use good lighting, and connect heart to heart; and when performing, build relationships, be a personal producer and the welcoming person in the room.[13] [28] She says, “the older one gets the more beautiful tools and instruments you have to add to your orchestra and your palette”.[4]

She has described her writing process as do anything but write, clean the desk, then write from the heart and let the words flow.[29]

Personal life

Niven has been married three times, to Ronald Garrison (m. 1974, divorced), David Alexander (m. 1985, divorced), and David Niven, Jr. (m. June 19, 1993,[30] div. 1998).[31] She has a daughter, Jessica, and three grandchildren.[32] She obtained dual Canadian citizenship because her father was born there.[33] Her favorite color is red, although she likes to wear black.[34] She prefers sweats to fancy dresses.[35]

For thirty years, between fifteen and forty-five, she suffered from bulimia. Her older sister asked about it, and she got help after her daughter fainted at cheerleading practice. Others on the squad were also bulimic/anorexic. Niven promptly got them both help. She says, "secrets are what kept me sick." Once the secret was out, it no longer controlled her.[3] [16] [36] Eating disorders is a topic about which she gives presentations that garner positive feedback.[26] [37]

She supports human rights causes and programs that speak out against bullying. Niven appeared in She4ME[38] ('She' for Marriage Equality), the 2014 five-minute public service video created in support. She has been a proponent of the 2012 seventeen-minute anti-bullying short Love is All You Need?,[39] and its purpose in asking viewers to see themselves as a minority.[40]

Niven is an animal rights activist and spokesperson. She has a four-legged family of dogs and cats at home, and fosters older pets.[41] She has participated on an animal rescue team to save victims of a puppy mill,[42] and is a National Ambassador for American Humane.[43]

Filmography

Film and television hide
YearTitleRoleNotes
1986PromiseJoan aTelevision film [Hallmark Hall of Fame]
1989My Two DadsVeronica Miles aEpisode: "Duel"
1990Equal JusticeMaggie Sue aEpisode: "Balancing Act"
1990Hired to KillSheila Rogers a
1990Fatal EncounterLaura a
1992WingsSusan aEpisode: "The Fortune Cookie"
1993Psycho Cop ReturnsSharon Wells a
1993Illegal Entry: Formula for FearPamela Raby a
1993-1998Silk StalkingsCally Henshaw a
Amanda Langley
Jackie McMillan
Sally Coats
Episodes: “Night Games” (‘93)
“The Party’s Over” (‘93)
“Pulp Addiction” (‘95)
“The Party” (‘98)
1994Lone TigerJane Costello n
1995RenegadeTammy WatkinsEpisode: "Rancho Escondido"
1995The Sister-in-LawAshley HawkinsTelevision film [USA Network]
1995Under Lock and KeyTina LambTelevision film [Showtime]
1995Taken AliveVeronica
1996FoxfireGoldie's Stepmother
1996Humanoids from the DeepFran TaylorTelevision film [Showtime]
1996Forest WarriorStacy Franklin
1996DepravedMonica Stienman
1996The Bold and the BeautifulBrenda DickersonRecurring role
1997Pacific PalisadesEvelyn CabotRecurring role, 4 episodes:
“Past & Present Danger”,
“Desperate Measure”,
“Best Laid Plans”, “Private Showing”
1997Breast MenCindyTelevision film [HBO]
1997Doublecross on Costa's IslandVeronica
1998Mike Hammer, Private EyeConnie PaleyEpisode: "Dead Men Talk"
1998The Rat PackMarilyn MonroeTelevision film [HBO]
1998I Married a MonsterLindaTelevision film [UPN]
1998-2000Pensacola: Wings of GoldKate AndersonSeries regular, 43 episodes
1999Love Boat: The Next WaveElise DaleyEpisode: "Prom Queen"
1999Anoosh of the AirwaysSuzy
1999Born BadBrian's Mother
2000LuminariasJan
2001Alone with a StrangerSandy Kennington
2002ERStephanieEpisode: "Bygones"
2002-2003One Life to LiveLiz Coleman ReynoldsRecurring role
2003A Carol ChristmasSexy TV StarTelevision film [Hallmark]
2004Serial Killing 4 DummysDonna Noland
2004Cold CaseMavis BreenEpisode: "Greed"
2004Las VegasAlice GoldEpisode: "The Strange Life of Bob"
2004Tiger CruiseKate DolanTelevision film [Disney]
2004Wedding DazeNews ReporterTelevision film [Hallmark]
2004The Drone VirusDr. Sloan
2005The Perfect NeighborDonna GermaineTelevision film [Lifetime]
2005Back to You and MeConnie MurrayTelevision film [Hallmark]
2005Stranger in My BedChristine GoudetTelevision film [Lifetime]
2005Chasing GhostsPatricia King
2005NCISDr. Elaine BurnsEpisode: "Silver War"
2006Double CrossSuzanne DebsonTelevision film [Lifetime]
2006Mystery Woman: Wild West MysteryAnnie BooneTelevision film [Hallmark]
2006CharmedHelen JenkinsEpisodes: "Mr. & Mrs. Witch" and "Generation Hex"
2006Murder in My HouseLauren KesslerTelevision film [Lifetime]
2006All You've GotPeggy McDonaldTelevision film [MTV]
2006The RivalLinda ZellerTelevision film [Lifetime]
2007McBride: Semper FiClaire WhitmanTelevision film [Hallmark]
2007A Valentine CarolJackie MarleyTelevision film [Lifetime]
2007RedlineSally Martin
2007The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie WoodmanAnne O'ConnellEpisode: "We're Number Two!"
2008Eli StoneEllen WethersbyEpisodes: "Pilot" and "Father Figure"
2008Black WidowTiffany CollinsTelevision film [Lifetime]
2008Dead at 17Alyssa HarrisTelevision film [Lifetime]
2008Never Enough: Sex, Money and Parking Garages in San FranciscoSylvia Chaisem
2008Short TrackAudrey Beckett
2008Moonlight & MistletoeGinnyTelevision film [Hallmark]
2009Heat WaveGovernor Carol QuinlanTelevision film [Lifetime]
2009Anti-NarcoticsCapt. Chandler
2009Back to the HornCapt. Chandler
2009Let's Make a DealCapt. Chandler
2009Summer's BloodGaia Hoxey
2009Accused at 17Claire WernerTelevision film [Lifetime]
2009The Alpha GeekMaggie Malone
2012My Mother's SecretEvelyn WellsTelevision film [Lifetime]
2012Home InvasionTricia PattersonTelevision film [Lifetime]
2012The Wife He Met OnlineAlmaTelevision film [Lifetime]
2012A Perfect EndingRebecca Westridge
2012Gabe the Cupid DogMs. Andrews
2013Meth HeadMadelaine
2013Being UsJulie
2013–2015Cedar CovePeggy BeldonSeries regular, 25 episodes
2014The M WordNicki
2014Suburban GothicEve
2015Parks and RecreationJune HartwellEpisode: "Pie-Mary"
2015Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie MysteryDelores SwensenTelevision film [Hallmark]
2015Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding MysteryDelores SwensenTelevision film [Hallmark]
2015A Christmas DetourSusanTelevision film [Hallmark]
2015Hamlet's GhostSarah Goodman
2016Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler MysteryDelores SwensenTelevision film [Hallmark]
2016Murder, She Baked: A Deadly RecipeDelores SwensenTelevision film [Hallmark]
2016-presentChesapeake ShoresMegan O'BrienSeries regular
2017Campfire KissBeverly GowersTelevision film [Hallmark]
2017Murder, She Baked: Just DessertsDelores SwensenTelevision film [Hallmark]
2017Christmas In EvergreenCarol ShawTelevision film [Hallmark]
2018Christmas In Evergreen: Letters to SantaCarol ShawTelevision film [Hallmark]
2019Love on the MenuAndrea FitzgeraldTelevision film [Hallmark]
2019Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die ForAunt CandaceTelevision film [Hallmark]
2019Love Takes FlightVirginia BeaumanTelevision film [Hallmark Hall of Fame]
2019Crossword Mysteries: Proposing MurderAunt CandaceTelevision film [Hallmark]
2019Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of JoyCarol ShawTelevision film [Hallmark]
2020Crossword Mysteries: AbracadaverAunt CandaceTelevision film [Hallmark]
2020USS ChristmasMaddie's motherTelevision film [Hallmark] - scheduled 2020-11-28[44]
2020Christmas in Evergreen: Bells Are RingingCarol ShawTelevision film [Hallmark] - scheduled 2020-12-05[45]
2020Crossword Mysteries #4Aunt CandaceTelevision film [Hallmark] - announced

a as Barbara Lee Alexander     n as Barbara Lee Niven

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Psychopathia SexualisLucilleZoo Theatre, Hollywood, CA[1]
2019The Last WordJillianGarry Marshall Theatre, Burbank, CA[46]

Video games

YearTitleVoice roleNotes
1994Wing Commander III: Heart of the TigerBarbara MilesNewscaster
1995Wing Commander IV: The Price of FreedomBarbara MilesNews anchor

Bibliography

Author

  • 111 Star Power Tips – Insider Secrets from a Hollywood Pro : For Videos, Audios, On-Camera Interviews, TV, Radio & Presentations, Shadoeworks (2011). ISBN 978-1460912331

Contributor

  • "Barbara Niven [actor]" ), pp. 96–107, Feeding the Fame : Celebrities Tell Their Real-Life Stories of Eating Disorders, by Gary Stromberg & Jane Merrill, Hazelden (2006). ISBN 1-59285-350-1
  • "ACT AS IF!", pp. 99–104, How Did You Do That! Stories of Going for It, eds. Gail Kingsbury, Yinspire Media (2009). ISBN 978-0-9819708-8-2
  • "Shine Your Light", pp. 41–46, Get Your Woman On! Embracing Beauty, Grace & the Power of Women, ed. Kimber Lim, Yinspire Media (2011). ISBN 978-0-9819708-3-7
  • "A Perfect Ending...and a New Beginning", pp. 32–39, Wake Up Women Be You : Spread Your Wings and Fly Emotionally, ed. Karen Mayfield, Wake Up Women (2013)/CreateSpace (2015). ISBN 978-1508705420
  • "Success, Goosebumps & Your Next Evolution", pp. 203–218, Experts Wisdom : Life Changing Principles and Transformational Business Strategies from the Go-To Authorities, ed. Debbie Allen, Authentic Endeavors Publishing (2015). ISBN 978-0-692-52264-6
  • "Taking a Leap of Faith, Dreams, Money, & Show Biz", pp. 105–116, Great Credit Now : Set Your GPS for Positive Success, ed. Patricia Giankas, Authentic Endeavors Publishing (2016). ISBN 978-0-9982105-0-6

References

  1. Jump up to:a b "Barbara Niven Biography (1953-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  2. ^ Niven, Barbara (2011). 111 Star Power Tips : Insider Secrets From A Hollywood Pro: For Videos, Audios, On-Camera Interviews, TV, Radio & Presentations. Shadoeworks. p. 7. ISBN 978-1460912331.
  3. Jump up to:a b Stromberg & Merrill 2006, p. 100
  4. Jump up to:a b c d Montague, Joe (2017-09-01). "Barbara Niven at Home on Chesapeake Shores"Riveting Riffs. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  5. ^ Graham, Alex (2013-04-05). "Barbara Niven "Unleash Your Star Power!"". Celebrity English. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  6. ^ Turnquist, Kristi (2014-07-18). "Barbara Niven: From Portland's David Douglas High School to 'Cedar Cove'"The Oregonian/OregonLive. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  7. ^ Jacks and Shawl 2019, at 7:20 min.
  8. ^ Johnson 2019, at 6:09 min.
  9. ^ Serafini 2016, at 22:10 min.
  10. ^ Jacks and Shawl 2019, at 10:00 min.
  11. ^ Mari-Lyn Henry listing. Marquis Who’s Who.
  12. ^ Jacks and Shawl 2019, at 13:30 min.
  13. Jump up to:a b Hill, Ruth Mayer (2017-08-27). "Interview With Actress Barbara Niven, "Chesapeake Shores"". My Devotional Thoughts. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  14. ^ Stromberg & Merrill 2006, p. 105
  15. ^ Johnson 2019. at 25:00 min.
  16. Jump up to:a b Furminger, Sabrina (2014-07-23). "Cedar Cove's Barbara Niven pays it forward". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  17. ^ "Barbara Niven (ex-Liz, OLTL, 2002-03; ex-Brenda, B&B, 1996)". Soap Opera Digest. 2004-07-08. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  18. ^ Mistretta, Amy. "Ex-One Life To Live's Barbara Niven In Us. (Video Included.) - One Life To Live News - Soaps.com". Soaps.sheknows.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  19. Jump up to:a b Thurston, Katherine from October 2002 (2013-02-14). ""One Live to Live" Star Bio - Barbara Niven - "Elizabeth Reynolds"". Onelifetolive.about.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  20. ^ Johnson, Melissa (2018-12-24). "Heartfelt Success Podcast: How to Live Your Dreams with Barbara Niven". Best Friends for Frosting. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  21. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2nd ed. McFarland. p. 1034/#8897. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  22. ^ Schwartz, David; Ryan, Steve; Wostbrock, Fred (1995). The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows, 2nd ed. Facts on File. p. 187. ISBN 0-8160-3093-6.
  23. ^ Dumitru, Anca (2013-03-22). "Barbara Niven's role of a lifetime in 'A Perfect Ending' (Includes interview)". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  24. ^ Harvey, Dennis (2015-01-27). "Film Review: 'Suburban Gothic'". variety.com.
  25. ^ "Hallmark Channel's 'When Calls The Heart' Adds Cast; 'Cedar Cove' July Premiere Set". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  26. Jump up to:a b "Barbara Niven: Actress-Speaker-Coach"findCE.com. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  27. ^ Allen, Debbie (2014). The Highly Paid Expert. Career Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-60163-321-7.
  28. ^ Johnson 2019. at 17:01 min.
  29. ^ Jacks and Shawl 2019, at 30:55 min.
  30. ^ Archerd, Army (1993-05-11). "Smith stays strong thru cancer surgery". Variety. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  31. ^ Barbara Niven Biography
  32. ^ Wallace, Debra (2020-07-28). "Barbara Niven on Creating "Comfort TV" With Hallmark and Why It's Never Too Late for Love". Parade Magazine. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  33. ^ Serafini 2016, at 49:35 min.
  34. ^ Rachel 2018, at 41:38 min.
  35. ^ Rachel 2018, at 48:15 min.
  36. ^ Serafini 2016, at 42:45 min.
  37. ^ Lowe, Elizabeth D. (2008-09-13). "Grand Blanc students captivated by actress Barbara Nivens' eating disorder struggle". Michigan Live. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  38. ^ "She4ME". marriageequality.org. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  39. ^ "Love is All You Need?". Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  40. ^ Dawson, M (May 2014). "Unleashing Her Star Power". Empowered Woman. p. 28-30. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  41. ^ Serafini 2016, at 55:50 min.
  42. ^ Ganzert, Robin (May 1, 2020). "Presidential Fireside Chat #7 with Barbara Niven". Parade Magazine. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  43. ^ "American Humane National Ambassador Council". Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  44. ^ "Miracles of Christmas 2020 Preview: USS Christmas". Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  45. ^ "Countdown to Christmas 2020 Preview: Christmas in Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing". Hallmark Channel. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  46. ^ Gidlow, Steve (2019-11-07). "Hallmark Stars Barbara Niven and John Kapelos Hit the Stage in Los Angeles". MediaVillage. Retrieved 2020-09-03.

Sources

Additional reading

External links

No comments:

Post a Comment

Floating Button

Button