Melissa Joan Hart (born April 18, 1976) is an American actress who is best known for playing the title roles in two successful television series, Clarissa Explains It All and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
Hart was born in Smithtown, New York, on Long Island, to Paula and William Hart, and grew up in Sayville, New York. Her stepfather (since 1994) is television executive Leslie Gilliams, and her stepmother is Lisa Hart. Hart was named after the Allman Brothers song "Melissa", while her middle name, Joan, came from her maternal grandmother. Hart chose Catherine as her confirmation name when she was in eighth grade.
Hart has three sisters, three half-sisters and one brother, all younger than she is. Her oldest sister, Trisha Hart, has worked as a producer. Sisters Elizabeth and Emily, brother Brian, and half-sister Alexandra Hart-Gilliams have all acted. Her two youngest half-sisters are not in show business.
