Valerie Bertinelli
She had an older brother, Mark, who died at 17 months from an accidental poisoning before Valerie was born. Along with her other older and two younger brothers, the family lived in Claymont, Delaware and Clarkston, Michigan before moving to Van Nuys, California where Bertinelli studied acting at the Tami Lynn School of Artists.
As of January 2008, she is pursuing the last few credits needed for her high school diploma. She was raised Catholic.
Career
After a guest-starring role on Apple's Way, the following year, she received a phone call from her agent and was also approached by Norman Lear to audition for the role for a cooperative daughter, Barbara Cooper Royer, for a new sitcom entitled, One Day at a Time, which debuted late in 1975. For the show's first season, she was 15, and her character was written as a tomboy, the following year, in addition to the show having a full season, her character became well-likable to male demographics.
She in turn also had a wonderful on- and off-screen chemistry with series' lead, Bonnie Franklin, who was also an unfamiliar actress, like Bertinelli was, but had many Broadway experiences, despite being 16 yrs. Also, during the eighth season, both Valerie's herself & Franklin's characters were married, on different episodes, of the same season.
While One Day at a Time, was still on the air, her co-star, Mackenzie Phillips, who played her on-screen sister was beginning to have drug problems, during the show's third season, hence, she was arrested. Between Bertinelli and Phillips, they wouldn't speak to each other for several years, in real-life, except when the two were on the show, in character.
She remained on the show, until it's cancelation in 1984, at one point, both she & Franklin were going to star in another sitcom that would spun-off One Day at a Time, but plans were scrapped. She was the second actress (behind Franklin) to appear in almost every episode with the exception of two.
Two decades later in 2005, during the One Day at a Time Reunion Special, she was reunited with Phillips, Franklin and Pat Harrington Jr., to take a look back at the memorable clips the show had broadcasted over nine seasons, to talk about actors who were about to leave the show, and Phillips' real-life drug problem which wrecked havoc on the set.
The same thing happened, when in 2008, that Today had broadcasted One Day at a Time, as well.
After her long-stint as Barbara Cooper, Bertinelli turned into a prolific actress, who also starred in 1 short-lived series, Sydney. She filed for divorce on December 5, 2005 which was finalized on December 20, 2007.
In a candid interview on February 25, 2008 with Oprah Winfrey, Bertinelli revealed that she and ex-husband Eddie both cheated.
He claims to this day that I cheated first, but I don't know. I don't know about the timing." Bertinelli, who is promoting her new autobiography Losing It- And Gaining My Life Back One Pound At A Time, also speaks out about a lusty lesbian moment, when she kissed another woman.
Bertinelli has been with financial planner Tom Vitale since 2004.
Bertinelli, who had slowly gained weight over the years, is the new spokesperson for the Jenny Craig weight-loss program.
Penney commercial.
Jenny Craig commercials.
Television
Apple's Way, 1974, guest appearance, CBS drama series
One Day at a Time, 1975–1984, CBS situation comedy series
The Secret of Charles Dickens, 1978, CBS hour-long special
Young Love, First Love, 1979, CBS TV movie
The Promise of Love, 1980, CBS TV movie
The Princess and the Cabbie, 1981, CBS TV movie
The Seduction of Gina, 1984, CBS TV movie
Shattered Vows, 1984, NBC movie-of-the-week
Faerie Tale Theatre: Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp
Number One with a Bullet, 1987, USA TV movie
I'll Take Manhattan, 1987, miniseries
Pancho Barnes, 1988, CBS
Taken Away, 1989, USA TV movie
Sydney, 1990, short-lived TV series
In a Child's Name, 1991
What She Doesn't Know, 1992, USA TV movie
Murder of Innocence, 1993, USA TV movie
Café Americain, 1993, NBC short-lived TV series
Murder of Innocence, 1993 TV movie
The Haunting of Helen Walker, 1995, USA TV movie
A Case for Life, 1996, ABC
Two Mothers for Zachary, 1996, ABC
Night Sins, 1997, CBS miniseries
Personally Yours, 2000, USA TV movie
Touched by an Angel, 2001–2003, CBS
Crazy Love, 2003, TV movie
Finding John Christmas, 2003, USA TV movie
The Rachael Ray show, 2007, ABC, daytime correspondent
Claire, 2007, USA TV movie
True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet, 2008, TV movie
Films
C.H.O.M.P.S., 1979, Hanna-Barbera family comedy
Ordinary Heroes, 1986
Number One with a Bullet, 1987
Saved!, 2004
Production companies
Tuxedo Limited
Bertinelli, Inc.
Trivia
Turned down several feature film roles in the eighties because of gratuitous nudity.
Was considered for Lori Singer's role in Footloose (1984) and Meg Tilly's role in The Big Chill (1983).
Ranked #29 in VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars".
Among other female celebrities like Olivia Newton John, was offered 1 million dollars by Hustler magazine editor Larry Flynt to pose nude showing genitalia.
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