Kari Michaelsen (born Kari Markussen on November 3, 1961) is an
American actress, television personality, and motivational speaker. As
an actress, she is best known for her role as Katie Kanisky on the
sitcom Gimme a Break! (1981â€"1987).Born in Manhattan, Michaelsen
followed her parents into show business. Her father, Arne Markussen,
is a singer. Her mother, Roberta Stevenson, was a dancer. She sang on
the soundtrack for Sesame Street and was performing in Off-Broadway
plays by age 11. In 1975, her family moved to Beverly Hills and
Michaelsen (who changed her name from Markussen) soon won guest spots
on such shows as Diff'rent Strokes and Eight Is Enough. Her father is
of Norwegian heritage.She graduated from Beverly Hills High School in
1979 and studied at University of California, Los Angeles. She retired
from television work in 2001. Kari has been doing public speaking and
hosting educational seminars since 1990. She married David Waldock, a
Mercedes-Benz executive, in July 2002. The couple had a son named
Nickolas. Michaelsen and David Waldock were divorced in
2009.Michaelsen dated pop star Andy Gibb in 1983.
American actress, television personality, and motivational speaker. As
an actress, she is best known for her role as Katie Kanisky on the
sitcom Gimme a Break! (1981â€"1987).Born in Manhattan, Michaelsen
followed her parents into show business. Her father, Arne Markussen,
is a singer. Her mother, Roberta Stevenson, was a dancer. She sang on
the soundtrack for Sesame Street and was performing in Off-Broadway
plays by age 11. In 1975, her family moved to Beverly Hills and
Michaelsen (who changed her name from Markussen) soon won guest spots
on such shows as Diff'rent Strokes and Eight Is Enough. Her father is
of Norwegian heritage.She graduated from Beverly Hills High School in
1979 and studied at University of California, Los Angeles. She retired
from television work in 2001. Kari has been doing public speaking and
hosting educational seminars since 1990. She married David Waldock, a
Mercedes-Benz executive, in July 2002. The couple had a son named
Nickolas. Michaelsen and David Waldock were divorced in
2009.Michaelsen dated pop star Andy Gibb in 1983.
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