‘Happy’s Place’ Actress Melissa Peterman Discusses Her Life: ‘My Dream Came True’

Melissa Peterman admits she was nervous meeting country star Reba McEntire on the set of their first sitcom together, Reba.

“I didn’t meet her until the table read,” Melissa, 53, told Closer at the recent Television Critics Press Tour. “She made it feel so comfortable from day one and made sure we all knew we were here for the same reason — to have fun, make a good show, respect each other and be a little grateful for it! And in the 20-some years since, we’ve never really left each other. The show ended, and we’ve been friends ever since!” 

Today, Melissa and Reba are back on television together with the new hit sitcom Happy’s Place. “We were waiting for another project so we could actually go to work together again in real life,” says Melissa. 

What were you like growing up? 

I grew up outside of Minneapolis. I was a theater major in college. As a kid, I loved to read. I loved watching The Carol Burnett Show and Saturday Night Live. I loved to watch the funny people. And then I kind of got into performing in junior high and high school. There was so much power in making people laugh.

Was your family supportive of your dreams of performing? 

They were very supportive. Growing up in Minnesota, there was a protectiveness. I know they were afraid a little bit, but they loved me enough to let me try. I remember my parents took my rejections so personally! Like if I didn’t get an audition, or a job, my mother would be like, “Well, what’s the director’s name?! I’m going to call him!” Or I would tell them what the product [for a commercial audition] was, and she would say, “Well, I’m not going to buy that anymore!”

That’s so sweet! 

To this day, my dad knows more about what my schedule is than I do! They are going to fly out to attend the live tapings of Happy’s Place. They are very supportive! I think it’s hard for parents when it’s a business [where their children are] going to be told no a lot! Every parent wants someone to think their kid is great. 

What do you consider your big break? 

The movie Fargo — [I got it] right out of college. To be in a Coen brothers movie that won some Oscars was a big break. At the same time, I went back to work at TGI Fridays! But also the Reba show — it changed everything for me. 

It seems like you and Reba became great friends. 

I knew that our friendship was not just a “show” friendship or Hollywood friendship because we started sharing real life, not just the fun, fluffy stuff. Things going on in your life, your family’s life. We’d share that. I know that whatever time I would call her, she would call me back. She knows the same about me. It’s been 20-some years — I just always know she has my back.

What’s your character like on Happy’s Place? 

Gabby works at the bar. She is a bartender. She thinks of herself as a psychologist in a way — that’s part of what she does at her job. She’s a little quirky. I think she’s lonely. She considers her work family her real family but also craves more when she goes home. She wants connection. She wants to be closer to Reba’s character. But also wants to be closer to somebody. So when Isabella [Belissa Escobedo], the half sister, comes in, I think there’s a momentary feeling of, “Oh great, I have to compete with another person,” but also “Maybe this is another person I can connect with!” Ultimately, it’s about these three women in very different walks of life, coming from different generations, that are going to learn from each other.

Did it feel weird to come into Happy’s Place working with Reba but playing different characters? 

I feel like it could be a repertory theater. We’re coming back to do a different play as different characters. The chemistry is still there, and that’s a great foundation to have. I’m excited to explore this new character and how we react. The writers are committed to making it different but keeping that same chemistry. Timing is going to be the same. You can’t make that better. I just feel so safe with Reba.

Few actors get the chance to work together on a sitcom more than once. How is it different this time around? 

For the first Reba show, I was so excited, young and naïve. I had no idea what it was going to do for me — it changed my entire life. I [wound up maintaining] relationships with these people forever. It’s almost even more precious the second time, because I know how rare and special it is. 

You’ve been married for more than 25 years. What is your secret for happiness? 

Laugh, you have to laugh. And don’t be afraid to be apart for a weekend. Do a guys trip, do a girls trip. It’s OK. Always respect each other. It’s also good if you like each other, too. Love is really, really important, but liking is even more important sometimes. 

Does your son want to go into acting?

He doesn’t, and I’m fine with that. Riley is 18 and he just graduated. He’s a really good visual artist — I wish he would explore that. He wants to write, he loves journalism. He doesn’t quite know what he wants to do yet, and that’s OK. 

How do you feel about aging? 

I call it aging boldly. I think of it as: I get to be older. How lucky we are to be here? Not everyone gets to be the age I am. My mother is 80, and I think she is one of the most beautiful women in the world. She has not done a thing except Mary Kay. I don’t know what I will do in the future, but I want to look like me for as long as I can.

What do you do for fun? 

I am trying to read more. I used to be a really voracious reader. I like to be outside. I like to travel. I recently hosted a Sound of Music sing-along at the Hollywood Bowl. Watching [the movie] with 18,000 people is amazing. People hold up their 18,000 phones and sing “Edelweiss.” That’s a moment of connection that I think is so beautiful.