Joely Fisher

Joely Fisher (/ˈdʒoʊli/ JOH-lee; born October 29, 1967) is an American actress and singer, the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Connie Stevens, and half-sister of actress Carrie Fisher. Her breakthrough came in 1994, starring as Paige Clark in the ABC sitcom Ellen, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film at the 55th Golden Globe Awards. Fisher later starred in the 1999 comedy film Inspector Gadget and had leading roles in the Lifetime comedy-drama Wild Card (2003–2005), and Fox sitcom 'Til Death (2006–2010).

The national members of the trade union SAG-AFTRA elected Fisher as secretary-treasurer on September 2, 2021.

Joely Fisher was born on October 29, 1967, in Burbank, California, one of two children born to Edwin "Eddie" Fisher and Connie Stevens (née Concetta Ingolia), both entertainers. Her father was Jewish, whose parents immigrated to the United States from the Russian Empire, whereas her mother was Catholic and of Ashkenazi Jewish, Irish, and Italian descent. Fisher has a younger sister, Tricia Leigh Fisher. Her parents divorced in 1969, after which she and Tricia were raised by Stevens. Her father married a total of five times, with Stevens as his third wife. Joely and Tricia Fisher had two older half-siblings, Carrie Fisher and Todd Fisher, from her father's first marriage, with Debbie Reynolds.

Joely Fisher and her sister Tricia toured the world with Stevens, attending different schools and learning from tutors. Fisher graduated from Beverly Hills High School, then attended Emerson College in Boston, as well as the University of Paris for one semester. In the summer of 1987, Fisher attended an acting retreat conducted in Italy by coach Sandra Seacat.

Fisher was named Miss Golden Globe at the 49th Golden Globe Awards in 1992.

Her first film role was Averil in the comedy Pretty Smart (1987), which starred her sister, Tricia. Fisher then played Kris Stone on the CBS Schoolbreak Special drama "Dedicated to the One I Love" (1991) opposite Danielle Ferland. Next came the feature I'll Do Anything (1994) starring Nick Nolte, which helped her career as bigger roles followed. She also had a variety of guest roles on series such as Growing Pains, Blossom, Caroline in the City, The Golden Palace, The Outer Limits, Grace Under Fire and Coach.

In 1994, Fisher was cast as Paige Clark on the sitcom Ellen, first appearing in the second season. She played the role for four seasons until the series ended in 1998. That same year, she earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film at the 55th Golden Globe Awards. She followed Ellen with the role of Dr. Brenda Bradford in the film Inspector Gadget (1999).

Fisher's Broadway debut was as a replacement for the role of Betty Rizzo in the revival of Grease (1994). She was also a replacement for the role of Sally Bowles in the revival of Cabaret (1998). Her vocal range is alto.