Gift Horse

Background:

"I think there's a bad karma attached to an actor wanting to get out of a successful show. It's like looking a gift horse in the mouth, and I just can't condone it in any way." Holly Marie Combs

Petite 5' 3" Holly Marie Combs has carved a niche in the entertainment business as a television actor. First gaining notice as Tom Skerritt's television daughter in Picket Fences, Holly would later land the role of Piper Halliwell in the popular series Charmed. The character, one of three sisters with magical powers, gained popularity, and a new husband, Charmed's very own key grip David W. Donoho. On April 26, 2004, Holly gave birth to her first child, Finley Arthur Donoho. 

"As long as there's still an interest and as long as people are still coming up to me and saying, `I love your show,' it's easy to stay interested. In my personal life my priorities have shifted. I have a son. But as long as I can make time for him, I'm OK." Holly Marie Combs

Ernie's Protégé

Childhood and Family:

Holly Marie Combs was born on December 3, 1973 in San Diego, California. Although her mother, Lauralei Combs, has a less than "charmed" career (uncredited part in two films, guest appearance on TV's Charmed) Holly's destiny seems a bit more magical. A student of respected acting teacher Ernie Martin (Professional Children's School, NY) Holly's career really began to bloom in 1992 with the role of Kimberly in television's drama Picket Fences (1992-1996).

"I was the product of very young parents, and they had wild ways. My mother was in a punk band. Rebelling would have been learning to play piano." Holly Marie Combs

Holly was formerly married to actor Bryan Smith (1993-1997) then married special effects and key grip, David W. Donoho, on Valentine's Day, 2004. Their son Finley Arthur Donoho was born April 26, 2004.

Charmed

Career:

Before Holly Marie Combs began carving a name for herself as Kimberly Brock in the TV series Picket Fences, her career started with such film work as Debs Boon in Sweet Hearts Dance (1988), starring Don Johnson, Susan Sarandon and Jeff Daniels, a few uncredited roles, Kim in Simple Men (1992), Jennifer Campbell in the tragic flop of a film Dr. Giggles (1992) and Diana in Chain of Desire (1992). More roles of low stature would continue until Holly again would hit the jackpot. Holly's resume includes work in A Reason to Believe (1995), TV's A Perfect Stranger (1994), Sins of Silence (1996), Love's Deadly Triangle: The Texas Cadet Murder (1997), Daughters (1997) and See Jane Date (2003).

Holly struck gold when cast as one of the three sisters in television's popular fantasy series Charmed. The series is still being aired today.