Full House

Background:

Famous TV star Lori Loughlin initially attracted public attention when she was cast as 18-year-old aspiring dancer Jody Travis in the daytime soap The Edge of the Night (1980-1983), in which she received a nomination for a Young Artist Award. She also gained recognition for her bright portrayal as Sally in the television movie No Means No (1988), for which she was honored with an Emmy nomination. The New York native actress was launched to stardom after playing the character of Rebecca 'Becky' Donaldson Katsopolis in the long-running family sitcom Full House (1988-1995). Adding to her resume, Loughlin stars in the new hit TV series Summerland (2004, along side platinum-selling recording artist Jesse McCartney).

On the silver screen, the 5' 6" inch tall actress is also well remembered for playing roles in such movies as the thriller The New Kids (1985), the romantic comedy Secret Admirer (1985, opposite C. Thomas Howell and Kelly Preston), Rad (1986), the Frankie Avalon-Annette Funicello retro-romp Back to the Beach (1987), The Night Before (1988, along side Keanu Reeves), Suckers (1999) and Critical Mass (2000).

Off screen, Loughlin is the wife of fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli and the mother of two daughters and a stepson. Previously, she was married to banker Michael Burns, but the couple divorced in 1996.

Modeling Mead

Childhood and Family:

In Queens, New York, Lori Ann Loughlin was born on July 28, 1965. Growing up in Hauppauge, Long Island, Lori attended the Oceanside Oaks School and Hauppauge High.

Lori Loughlin was placed in the spotlight when she started modeling at age eleven. First appearing as a print model in national campaigns for companies like Sears (in their catalogs) and Bradlees weekly flyers, she next modeled for television ads such as one for Mead's Trapper Keeper in 1982. To help improve her career, Lori took an acting class. By the time she was fourteen, she had added acting to her endeavors.

In 1989, Lori married banker Michael Burns, but they later divorced in 1996. She married fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli on Thanksgiving morning, November 25, 1997, in a private outdoor wedding ceremony. A year later, she had their first daughter, Isabella Rose (born on Sept 16, 1998) and their second child, Olivia Jade, was born on September 28, 1999.

Lori and her husband currently live in Los Angeles with their two daughters and son Gianni (born 1982, Giannulli's son from a previous marriage)

Summerland

Career:

"It's true. I came up with the idea for Summerland, but it was a total fluke. Nobody was more shocked or amazed that the show is actually going to be made than I was." Lori Loughlin

Starting out as a print model in national campaigns for companies like Sears and Bradlees, Lori Loughlin subsequently appeared in several television commercials. By age fourteen, she made her acting debut in television's Too Far to Go (1979).

Instead of accepting the starring role in The Blue Lagoon (Brooke Shields' movie claim to fame), Loughlin was seen in the daytime soap opera The Edge of the Night (1980-1983), portraying 18-year-old aspiring dancer Jody Travis. Because of her bright performance in the top-rated series, Loughlin received a nomination for Best Young Actress in a Daytime Series at the Young Artist Awards. However, encouraged by her fellow actor, the late Joel Crothers, Loughlin left the series to pursue TV movies and films.

Shortly after leaving the series, Loughlin made her TV movie debut playing a character role in The Tom Swift and Linda Craig Mystery Hour (1983) and appeared in the horror sequel feature film of Amityville 3-D (1983).

Loughlin followed this up with starring roles in the thriller The New Kids (1985, as Abby McWilliams) and the romantic comedy Secret Admirer (1985, opposite C. Thomas Howell and Kelly Preston). She also appeared in the BMX racing film Rad (1986), the Frankie Avalon-Annette Funicello retro-romp Back to the Beach (1987), and the mild comedic misadventure The Night Before (1988, along side Keanu Reeves). Moreover, Loughlin was seen in such small screen films as North Beach and Rawhide (1985), Brotherhood of Justice (1986), Babies Having Babies (1986), A Place to Call Home (1987) and Tales from the Hollywood Hills: The Old Reliable (1988).

In 1988, Loughlin gained notice when she was cast as Sally in the made-for-TV movie No Means No (1988). Her brilliant performance received notable impact and she was honored with an Emmy nomination for Best Actress.

Loughlin's big break eventually came when she portrayed Rebecca 'Becky' Donaldson Katsopolis in the long-running family sitcom Full House (1988-1995). With her role as girlfriend, and later wife, of John Stamos' character Jesse, Loughlin collected fans and worldwide fame.

While she was in the show, Loughlin also kept busy with such works for television as Doing Time on Maple Drive (1992, opposite Jim Carrey), To Grandmother's House We Go (1992, had an unaccredited role), Sidney Sheldon's A Stranger in the Mirror (1993), One of Her Own (1994) and Abandoned and Deceived (1995).

When Full House ended production in 1995, Loughlin was cast in the regular role of Melanie Clifford in the short-lived ABC sitcom Hudson Street (1995, starring Tony Danza). More made-for-television movies followed including In the Line of Duty: Blaze of Glory (1997), Tell Me No Secrets (1997), Peter Bogdanovich's The Price of Heaven (1997, opposite Cicely Tyson) and Medusa's Child (1997). She also had guest starring roles in several popular sitcoms like Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show and Suddenly Susan.

After taking time off for her family, Loughlin returned to acting and was seen in the comedy Suckers (1999) and the action drama Critical Mass (2000). On TV, Loughlin was cast as Sukie in Eastwick (2002) as well as made guest appearances in Cursed (2001), Spin City (2001), Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) (2002), Birds of Prey (2002), The Drew Carey Show (2002) and Justice League (2004).

In 2004, Loughlin teamed up with Aaron Spelling in the new hit TV series Summerland (2004, Loughlin came up with the idea for the series and is also the executive producer.). She plays the role of Ava Gregory, an unmarried woman working in the fashion world whose life suddenly changes when she has to raise her late sister's three children. Commenting about her role, Loughlin said, "She is a lot like myself. When you are developing a character you have to bring so much of yourself to the role. Just like Ava, there are days I feel as if I don't have a clue about what I am doing. I mean, kids don't come with a handbook."

Recently, the Full House star made guest appearances on Live with Regis and Kelly, and on The Tony Danza Show.