Danielle Brisebois was a famous child actress and singer in the 1970s and 1980s. She got her start on Broadway as a young kid and went on to appear in numerous popular television shows and films. Although her career slowed down in adulthood, Danielle made a big impact as a talented child performer.
Danielle’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Danielle was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1969. From a young age she showed an interest and talent in singing and acting.
Getting Her Start on Broadway
When Danielle was just 10 years old, she made her Broadway debut as the understudy for the role of Annie in the musical Annie. She got to perform in over 20 shows as Annie on Broadway over the next year.
Transitioning to TV and Film
After getting attention for her theater work, Danielle started being cast in television shows and films. Some of her earliest roles included:
- Guest spots on TV shows like Archie Bunker’s Place and Trapper John M.D.
- Supporting role in the film All Night Long (1981)
- Role in the TV film Little Gloria… Happy at Last (1982)
Danielle proved she could hold her own among veteran actors early on and continued getting more opportunities.
Danielle’s Biggest Roles as a Child Star
At the height of her fame as a child star in the early-mid 1980s, Danielle landed her two most well-known roles:
As Molly Webster on Archie Bunker’s Place
Archie Bunker’s Place was a popular spinoff series based on the 1970s sitcom All in the Family. Danielle joined the cast in 1982 as Molly Webster, the young orphaned niece taken in by Archie.
Danielle’s addition to the cast helped renew interest in the ageing sitcom and she appeared in over 70 episodes until the show’s end in 1983. Her emotional and comedic scenes with Carroll O’Connor as Archie showed her versatility and talent as a dramatic actress at a very young age.
As Stephanie Mills on Newhart
Danielle’s biggest claim to fame as a child star was playing Stephanie Mills on the sitcom Newhart from 1984-1990.
Newhart starred comedian Bob Newhart as Dick Loudon, an author who runs an inn in Vermont. Danielle played Stephanie, Dick’s spunky teenage niece who moves in with him and causes chaos.
As a series regular for 6 seasons, Danielle got to showcase both her comedic and musical talents. Her character sang and played guitar frequently on the show.
Danielle’s long run on Newhart encompassed most of her teen years and cemented her image as the mischievous but lovable kid character.
Other Notable Roles
In addition to her regular TV gigs, Danielle took on some other notable one-off parts:
- Guest appearance on The Love Boat (1983)
- Supporting role in the TV film Special Delivery (1985)
- Voice of Melody in The Little Mermaid animated series (1992-1994)
She also contributed music to some of her projects, like singing on the Newhart theme song. Danielle’s talent and popularity earned her recognition like multiple Youth in Film Award nominations as a child star.
Winding Down Her Child Acting Career
Danielle continued acting into her late teens with roles in a few little-seen films. But as she entered adulthood in the late 1980s, her once red-hot career as a child performer cooled down.
Her last significant childhood acting credit was a TV movie titled A Family Again in 1988 when she was 19 years old. After that, Danielle took a break from acting to attend UCLA and have a typical college experience away from Hollywood.
Danielle did make occasional returns to acting in her 20s and into adulthood, but never regained the fame she had as a child. Still, she left behind an impressive childhood resume in TV, film, and theater.
Life and Career After Child Stardom
Although no longer acting regularly, Danielle stayed involved in the entertainment industry in different capacities:
Music Career
Danielle pursued a career as a musician, switching gears from acting. She was a member of the rock/pop group Archie’s Wig and released her first solo album in 1994. Danielle has since released several more albums over the past three decades.
Songwriting
She found success as a professional songwriter, penning tracks for artists like Avril Lavigne, Faith Hill, and Clay Aiken. Danielle was even nominated for a Grammy and other awards for her songwriting.
Production Work
Danielle started a production company with her husband Gavin Brisebois called Raskal Productions. They produced the animated series Archibald’s Next Big Thing, for which Danielle did voice work.
While not a huge star as an adult, Danielle has maintained a steady career in music and production. Her early fame as a child actress paved the way for her ongoing success in the entertainment business.
Looking Back on Danielle’s Career as a Child Performer
Danielle Brisebois had an undeniably impressive run as a talented child performer in the 1970s and 80s:
- She showed off her acting chops at a very young age on Broadway and in films/TV.
- Danielle left a mark in memorable roles on high-profile series like Archie Bunker’s Place and especially Newhart.
- Her singing and musicianship abilities added to the appeal of her lovable kid characters.
- She earned award recognition and popularity for her work across different mediums like theater, TV, and film.
While Danielle acted consistently for over a decade as a child, she seemed to step away from the spotlight intentionally as she entered adulthood. But the experience and connections from her early fame allowed Danielle to forge a new career path in music and production.
Conclusion
Looking back, Danielle Brisebois had an unusually prolific and varied career within the entertainment industry from a very young age through her teens. Her natural talents and charisma made Danielle a standout as a Broadway actress, television star, and film performer during the 1970s and 1980s.
While Danielle chose to leave behind her child stardom days as she grew up, she remained involved in entertainment as a musician and producer. The passion for performing and creating she discovered as an ambitious kid fueled Danielle’s long-term success in the industry. For TV viewers who grew up watching her talent and charm on screen, Danielle Brisebois remains a fondly remembered child star of her era.
Frequently Asked Questions About Danielle Brisebois’s Child Acting Career
How old was Danielle Brisebois when she started acting professionally?
Danielle made her professional acting debut at age 10 in the Broadway musical Annie in 1979. She landed her first roles in television and film starting around age 11 in 1981.
What were some of Danielle’s most famous roles as a child actor?
Some of Danielle’s best known childhood roles were playing Molly Webster on Archie Bunker’s Place and Stephanie Mills on Newhart throughout the 1980s. She also had memorable one-off appearances on shows like The Love Boat.
Did Danielle Brisebois sing and play music as part of her acting roles?
Yes, Danielle often showcased her musical talents on screen. Her character Stephanie was a guitarist and singer frequently on Newhart. Danielle also sang on the theme song for that show and contributed music to other projects.
Why did Danielle’s acting career slow down after her teen years?
Danielle intentionally stepped back from acting as she entered adulthood in order to have a more normal college experience. She attended UCLA in the late 1980s and early 90s.
What did Danielle Brisebois pursue after moving on from her child stardom?
As an adult, Danielle focused more on music, songwriting, and production work. She released several solo albums and wrote hit songs for other artists. Danielle also started a production company with her husband.
How is Danielle Brisebois regarded today for her work as a kid?
Danielle is well remembered today for being a standout and prolific child actress in the 70s and 80s. Her likeable characters and musical talents made her a fan favorite during her early fame.
Did Danielle Brisebois ever return to acting as an adult?
Danielle had minor and sporadic acting roles in her 20s and 30s after taking a break. But she never regained the same level of acting success that she achieved as a popular child star earlier in her career.
What lasting impacts did Danielle’s childhood fame have on her career?
The experience Danielle built up as a child performer helped lay the groundwork for her ongoing work in entertainment as a musician and producer. The connections she made early on likely opened doors down the road.
How does Danielle Brisebois look back on her time as a famous kid actor?
Danielle seems to look back on her prolific early acting career very fondly. In interviews, she expresses her gratitude for the rare experiences and opportunities she had during that time as a performer.
