Michele Greene Explained

Michele Greene
Birth Date:3 February 1962
Birth Place:Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Education:Fairfax High School
Alma Mater:University of Southern California (BFA)
Years Active:1979–present
Known For:L.A. Law
Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious Nun
Diagnosis Murder
Nightmare on the 13th Floor
Matlock

Michele Dominguez Greene (born February 3, 1962)[1] is an American actress, singer, and author. She is known for her role as attorney Abby Perkins on the TV series L.A. Law from 1986 to 1991, for which she was nominated for a 1989 Primetime Emmy Award. She reprised the role in the 2002 TV reunion film .

Early years

Greene was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, to an Irish-American father, Roland, and a Mexican/Nicaraguan mother, Dorita, who was an accomplished singer and dancer. Greene was raised in Los Angeles, California.[2] She attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles where she first began acting after enrolling in drama class; she had chosen the class to help her overcome her extreme shyness.

She attended the University of Southern California,[3] where she auditioned for and was accepted to the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, entering on a scholarship and beginning her formal training as an actor.

Career

During her college years, Greene began working in television, appearing in guest shots and television movies. Shortly after graduation, she landed the role of Judy Nuckles in the short-lived Steven Bochco series Bay City Blues (1983). When that was cancelled, Bochco kept her in mind and offered her the role of Abby Perkins on L.A. Law in 1986. The show was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple Emmys and garnering Greene a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category in 1989.[4] Together with Amanda Donohoe, her character participated in what was U.S. primetime television's first lesbian kiss in 1991. Greene appeared on L.A. Law for five seasons, leaving in 1991 to pursue her musical career and stretch her acting challenges.[5] [6]

After leaving L.A. Law, Greene had acting roles in a number of popular television series including Bones, CSI, , Cold Case, Crossing Jordan, , JAG, Judging Amy, Nip/Tuck, The Outer Limits, Six Feet Under, Stargate SG-1 and The Unit. Greene also appeared in an episode of Brothers and Sisters on ABC-TV in March 2009 as a fictional Governor of California. She had a recurring role on HBO's Big Love as a TV reporter.

Greene has recorded two bilingual CDs, Ojo de Tiburon[7] and Luna Roja. She has also written two young adult novels, Chasing the Jaguar: A Martika Gálvez Mystery[8] and Keep Sweet.[9] [10]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1981The Dark End of the StreetMarlene
1988Going to the ChapelMargo
1994The Unborn IICatherine Moore
1994Stranger by NightLisaDirect-to-video (as Michelle Green)
1996Daddy's GirlBarbara MitchellDirect-to-video
1997Her Married LoverBrenda Slagel
1997Stranger in the HouseJoanna Winters
1999Fugitive MindRobynDirect-to-video
2000Alcatraz AvenueLisa
2001A Family AffairReggie Abravanel
2002Determination of DeathKatie Williams
2003A Woman HuntedGloria Parker
2005The Legend of Lucy KeyesSheila Travers
2023The Kill FloorJanet Pruitt(short)

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979DorothyMargo2 episodes
1979Laverne & ShirleyVickiEpisode: "Bad Girls"
1980–1981Eight is EnoughJill5 episodes
1981The Miracle of Kathy MillerSherrieMovie
1982Desperate LivesJulie JordanMovie
1982The Dukes of HazzardBobby Lee JordanEpisode: "Coy meets Girl" (5.4)
1983For Love and HonorJoyEpisode: "For Love and Honor" (pilot) (1.1)
1983ABC Afterschool SpecialsAndrea CranstonEpisode: "Andrea's Story: A Hitchhiking Tragedy" (12.4)
1983Bay City BluesJudy Nuckles8 episodes
1984Highway to HeavenSara HigginsEpisode: "Song of the Wild West" (1.5)
1985Simon & SimonLisa BrơoksEpisode: "Mummy Talks" (4.20)
1985SeducedThunder ThighsMovie
1985The Best TimesStacey EmeryEpisode: " The Narc" (1.3)
1986American PlayhouseKevin's Friend (as Michelle Greene)Episode: "The Little Sister" (5.9)
1986Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious NunSister MargaretMovie
1987MatlockLaura GordonEpisode: "The Billionaire" Parts 1 & 2 (2.1) (2.2)
1988Double StandardVirginiaMovie
1989The Pat Sajak ShowHerselfEpisode: (1.6)
1990In the Best Interest of the ChildNoraMovie
1990Nightmare on the 13th FloorElaine KalisherMovie
1990Cop RockAbby PerkinsEpisode: "Potts Don't Fail Me Now" (1.8) (uncredited)
1990To My Daughter[11] Julie CarlstonMovie
1986–1991L.A. LawAbby PerkinsSeasons 1–5
1991Posing: Inspired by Three Real Stories originally known as I Posed for PlayboyJanet JanewayMovie
1992Jack's PlaceSuzanneEpisode: "Everything Old Is New Again" (1.4)
1993Silent VictimBonnie JacksonMovie
1993Moment of Truth: A Child Too ManyPatty NowakowskiMovie
1993Picket FencesPatty HenleyEpisode: "Duty Free Rome" (2.2)
1994Heart of a ChildKaren SchoutenMovie
1994How the West Was FunLaura ForesterMovie
1996She Woke Up PregnantConnie LoftisMovie
1997Badge of BetrayalAnnie WalkerMovie
1997The Outer LimitsJoan GarrisonEpisode: "The Awakening" (3.10)
1997Lost Treasure of Dos SantosWillaMovie
1998CaptiveLily HunterMovie
1999Twice in a LifetimeJenny Parnell / Dr. Karen LantzEpisode: "The Gift of Life" (1.14)
2000Stargate SG-1LairaEpisode: "A Hundred Days" (3.17)
2000Entertainment Tonight Presents: L.A. Law – Secrets of the FirmHerselfSpecial
2000Wild GrizzlyRachel HardingMovie
1997
2001
Diagnosis MurderRachel Wơdrall
Carrie Langford Adams
"Must Kill TV" (5.9)
"Sins of the Father" Parts 1 & 2 (8.12, 13)
2001The Perfect WifeFelicia LaurelMovie
2001Lightning: Fire from the SkyBarbara DobbsMovie
2002RedeemerSharon DavidsonMovie
2002JAGLt. Col. Sara CoffeyEpisode: "Head to Toe" (7.15)
2002NBC 75th Anniversary SpecialHerself
2002Weakest LinkHerself"L.A. Law Edition" (game)
2002Abby PerkinsReunion
2002Jan BransonEpisode: " Blood Lust" (3.9)
2002TV's Most Censored MomentsHerselfSpecial
2003MiraclesTravis's AuntEpisode: "The Bone Scatterer" (1.5)
2003Killer Flood: The Day the Dam BrokeNatalie PowellMovie
2003Strong MedicinePam SherrEpisode: "Rash Decisions" (4.4)
2004Judging Amy Beth BenfieldEpisode: "Christenings" (5.11)
2004Crossing JordanPam OakleyEpisode: "Missing Pieces" (3.7)
2004Threat MatrixAnne ColtEpisode: "19 Seconds" (1.15)
2005Six Feet UnderDr. FrakerEpisode: "Ecotone" (5.9)
2005Nip/TuckIllana ManningEpisode: "Hannah Tedesco" (3.9)
2006The UnitCynthia Burdett4 episodes
2007McBride: DoggedJudy MurrayMovie
2007Cold CaseTessie Bartram '07Episode: "Justice" (5.10)
2008BonesAmanda O'RourkeEpisode: "The Man in the Outhouse" (4.2)
2009Brothers & SistersGovernor Eve KernEpisode: "Troubled Waters" Part 1 (3.16)
2009Sue SchiffEpisode: "The Gone Dead Train" (9.22)
2009Brothers & SistersGovernor Eve KernEpisode: "Breaking the News" (4.2)
2009Three RiversJudge GlynnEpisode: "A Roll of the Dice" (1.10) (as Michelle Greene)
2010Big LoveReporter Sheila Jackson White3 episodes
2011The DefendersJudge GlynnEpisode: "Nevada v. Donnie the Numbers Guy" (1.13)
2011Connie FaberEpisode: "A Few Dead Men" (10.9)
2021Viral VignettesAndreaEpisode: "Pass the Matzoh" (1.11)

Discography

YearAlbum titleLabelNotes
2002Ojo De TiburonAppleseed Recordings
2003Seeds: The Songs of Pete Seeger, Vol.3Appleseed RecordingsThe song "From Way Up Here"
2003Spanish In My Heart: Songs of the Spanish Civil WarAppleseed RecordingsThe songs, "En la Plaza de Mi Pueblo" and "Tu Que Brillas"
2006Luna RojaAppleseed Recordings

Literature

YearBookPublisherCategoryclass=unsortableNotes
2006Chasing the JaguarRayo HarperCollinsFictionHardcover / Paperback
2010Keep SweetSimon & SchusterFictionPaperback

Theater

YearTitleRoleNotes
Coriolanus
Murder, Lust and Madness
Antony and Cleopatra
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
Radio Show Classics / The Great Guildenstern / Dragnet
Charlotte: Life or Theatre?
One or the Other
Bugsy's Cocktail Cabaret
Talking With...
A Midsummer Night's Dream
All's Well That Ends Well
The Seven Year Itch
The Vienna Words
Grease
The Greeks
The Suicide
The Shadow Box
Nellie, Ellie and May

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Today's famous birthdays list for February 3, 2022 includes celebrities Isla Fisher, Nathan Lane. February 3, 2022. cleveland.
  2. Web site: About Michele. Michele-Greene.com. Michele Greene. September 1, 2021.
  3. News: Joanne . Kaufman . Michael . Alexander. With Her New Look, Her New Home and a Bright Future, Michele Greene Is L.A. Law's Mouse That Soared. https://web.archive.org/web/20140113120445/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20098626,00.html . January 13, 2014 . People. April 4, 1988.
  4. Web site: Michele Greene. Emmys.com . January 13, 2014.
  5. Web site: Greene ends 5-year stint on 'L.A. Law'. https://web.archive.org/web/20140610223957/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4060145.html . Chicago Sun-Times. June 22, 1991 . June 10, 2014 . subscription . HighBeam Research.
  6. Web site: Virginia . Rohan. Life After L.A. Law. https://web.archive.org/web/20140610223954/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22506756.html . The Record. April 25, 1996 . June 10, 2014. subscription . HighBeam Research .
  7. News: Sandra . Barrera. U Ought to Know; New Appeal; Greene Leads a Musical Life After 'L.A. Law'. https://web.archive.org/web/20140610223959/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9014763.html . Los Angeles Daily News. October 6, 2002. June 10, 2014.
  8. Web site: Greene, Michele 1962- (Michele Dominguez Greene). https://web.archive.org/web/20140610223952/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G2-2698700122.html . Contemporary Authors. January 1, 2007. June 10, 2014 . subscription . HighBeam Research.
  9. Web site: Review of Keep Sweet. Publishers Weekly. February 15, 2010.
  10. News: Lauren . Beale. Actress-author Michele Greene sells Hollywood Dell home. https://web.archive.org/web/20111112105210/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/10/business/la-fi-hotprop-michele-greene-20111110 . dead . November 12, 2011 . Los Angeles Times. November 10, 2011.
  11. Web site: Greene breaks 'L.A. Law' routine with 'Daughter'. Patricia. Brennan. https://web.archive.org/web/20140610224005/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4028467.html. Chicago Sun-Times. November 26, 1990. June 10, 2014. subscription. HighBeam Research. dead.