Biography

Kathleen McClellan is an American actress, model, television host, and former Miss Illinois Teen USA. She is perhaps first recognized for her role on Seinfeld as Melissa, Jerry's naked girlfriend, most recently noted for her starring role in the award-winning film, Rattlesnakes, and for her 2002-2004 role as the host of TLC's For Better or For Worse. She is currently(2022) hosting a new podcast and is thrilled to be launching her lifestyle brand Rich Life Simply Made.

McClellan grew up in Bloomington, Illinois. In 1988, she was crowned Miss Illinois Teen USA, was named Most Photogenic in the National Miss Teen USA Pageant, and was signed to Elite Model Management which began her modeling career in Paris.

While shooting a small part in the 1990's blockbuster Days of Thunder, director Tony Scott and Actor Robert Duval made a bet with McClellan that if she tried LA for 3 months she would land her own show. On their advice, she went, studied at the Howard Fine Acting school, and within 3 months landed a starring role in the pilot and the subsequent Fox Series Hotel Dix, along with Prince proteges Morris Day (of Morris Day and the time) and his sidekick Jerome. The Fox Series never aired but it did establish Kathleen as a respected and relevant comedic actor. She is still an active member at the Howard Fine Acting Studio.

McClellan is known for her work as a dramatic and comedic actress, fashion model, commercial actress, television personality, spokesperson, and television host. Notable modeling campaigns include Skyy vodka, L'Oréal Paris, Cherokee Jeans, Maui Jim Sunglasses, and Hanes. McClellan has starred in countless commercial campaigns including Coors, Budweiser, Chrysler, Visa, and Toyota.

She has been featured in Muscle and Fitness Magazine, InStyle, Mademoiselle, People, TV Guide, Maxim, and Stuff. She was the international spokesperson for and face of Sense Skincare.

She has guest-starred on many iconic comedic television shows such as Seinfeld, Murphy Brown, Suddenly Susan, Herman's Head, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Recurring roles include Ladies Man and The Bold and the Beautiful.

McClellan was the host of TLC's For Better or For Worse (2003-2005). She was the sideline correspondent for Battle Dome (1999-2001) and host of Surprise Weddings (FOX), and Warner Brothers' Live from the Red Carpet. She has appeared as herself as a guest host on shows such as Wild On E!, MTV Spring Break, and as herself as a TV personality on Run Away With the Rich and Famous, Search Party, and The X Show. She and her home were featured on E! Celebrity Homes. Film work includes a role in the film The Set Effect. She is also featured in Charlie Robison's country music video "El Cerrito Place".

In 2019, McClellan made her comeback in the award-winning film, Rattlesnakes. McClellan executive produced and starred in Rattlesnakes alongside actors Jimmy Jean-Louis and Jack Coleman. McClellan took the film from initial concept to creation with Jimmy Jean-Louis (producer) and collaborated with Julius Amedume (writer/director) to adapt the original stage play set in London in the 1990s, to a modern-day film set in southern California. Much of the film was shot in McClellan's own Montecito home. Rattlesnakes enjoyed a limited theatrical release starting in April of 2019 and played at over 20 international film festivals, winning 8 awards.

McClellan has studied with Howard Fine, Larry Moss, Leslie Kahn, and The Groundlings Theater and resides in the Los Angeles area with her family.

- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous