Kellie Martin Bio
Kellie Noelle Martin is an American actress known for a diverse body of work in television and film. She began her career as a child and rose to prominence as Becca Thatcher on the family drama Life Goes On and later as Lucy Knight on the medical drama ER. Her voice work includes Daphne Blake on A Pup Named Scooby-Doo and Roxanne in A Goofy Movie. Martin starred in Hallmark Channel’s Mystery Woman film series and, since 2016, the Hailey Dean Mystery series. She has appeared in guest roles on numerous television programs and has pursued directing and writing projects. A graduate of Yale University, she balances her acting career with creative and entrepreneurial ventures.
Early Life and Background
Kellie Noelle Martin was born on October 16, 1975, in Riverside, California. She began her acting career at age 7, when her aunt, who worked as a nanny for actor Michael Landon’s children, helped her secure a guest spot on the Landon-produced television series Father Murphy. This early opportunity launched Martin into the entertainment industry at a young age.
At age 11, Martin participated as a contestant during Young People’s Week on the Bob Eubanks-hosted version of the game show Card Sharks. This experience provided her with additional exposure to television production and performance in a different format. Her family’s connections and her own determination created opportunities for a child actor in Los Angeles.
Path to Actress
Following her early appearances, Martin continued building her resume with television work throughout the late 1980s. She had a recurring role during the third season of Valerie’s Family: The Hogans in 1987 and 1988. Simultaneously, she began providing the voice of Daphne Blake for the animated series A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, which aired from 1988 to 1991.
In 1989, Martin landed the significant role of Rebecca Becca Thatcher on the family drama Life Goes On, which aired on ABC for four seasons. That same year, she played Emily in the feature film Troop Beverly Hills, starring alongside Shelley Long. She also co-hosted the 1989 pilot of America’s Funniest Home Videos alongside Bob Saget. These diverse projects showcased her range across live-action television and film at a young age.
Kellie Martin Career
Early Career (1987–1995)
Throughout the early 1990s, Martin balanced voice work and live-action projects. From 1991 to 1995, she supplied the voice of Molly Tasmanian Devil on the animated series Taz-Mania. In 1993, she played Sherry in the feature film Matinee, a horror-comedy directed by Joe Dante, and made a guest appearance on seaQuest DSV.
In 1994, Martin starred as Christy Huddleston in her own television series, Christy, based on the novel by Catherine Marshall. That same year, she appeared in the Lifetime television film A Friend to Die For. In 1995, she starred in The Face on the Milk Carton, a television film based on the book by Caroline Cooney about a teenager who discovers she was kidnapped from her real family 13 years prior. Also in 1995, Martin voiced Roxanne, Max’s love interest, in the animated feature A Goofy Movie.
Breakthrough (1996–2005)
In 1996, Martin starred in the Lifetime television films After the Silence and Hidden in Silence. From 1998 to 2000, she appeared on the acclaimed medical drama ER as Lucy Knight, a medical student. During this time, Martin was still attending Yale University and postponed her education to join the ER cast. When she left the series, she stepped away from acting for three years to return to Yale and complete her degree in art history.
Martin graduated from Yale University in 2001 with a degree in art history, having been a member of the Saybrook Fellowship. She returned to acting in 2003 when she starred in Mystery Woman, a Hallmark Channel original film about the owner of a mystery bookshop who solves crimes. From 2005 to 2007, she appeared in ten more Mystery Woman films for Hallmark, directing two of them herself. Also in 2003, Martin had a supporting role in the comedy film Malibu’s Most Wanted.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout her career, Martin has built an impressive portfolio spanning television, film, and voice acting. Her role as Lucy Knight on ER brought her recognition on one of television’s most popular medical dramas. The Mystery Woman franchise became one of her most sustained projects, spanning over a decade with multiple entries. Her transition to the Hailey Dean Mystery series in 2016 established her as a leading actress in the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries lineup.
Kellie Martin Family
Martin married Keith Christian on May 15, 1999, in his hometown of Polson, Montana. Keith Christian is a cinematographer and filmmaker. Together, they have two daughters. The family has maintained connections to both California and Montana over the years.
Personal Life
Beyond her acting career, Martin has pursued diverse creative and business interests. She owns and operates her own toy store, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit. Martin has also ventured into writing, authoring a novel titled Madam: A Novel of New Orleans, published by Plume. Her ability to balance acting with directing, writing, and business ventures showcases her versatility in the entertainment industry. She continues to work as an actress while managing her various professional pursuits.