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Barbara Niven
Niven in 2021
Born	Barbara Lee Bucholz (1953-02-26) 26 February 1953 (age 71) Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Other names	Barby Bucholz Barbara Lee Alexander Barbara Lee Niven
Citizenship	United States Canada
Occupations	Actress writer media trainer animal rights spokesperson motivational speaker
Years active	1986–present
Spouses	Ronald Garrison ​ ​(m. 1974, divorced)​ David Alexander ​ ​(m. 1985, divorced)​ David Niven Jr. ​ ​(m. 1993; div. 1998)​
Children	1
Website	Official website

Barbara Lee Niven (née Bucholz; born 26 February 1953) is an American actress, writer, and producer, best known for her performances in Hallmark and Lifetime movies, and for television roles in Pensacola: Wings of Gold, One Life to Live, Cedar Cove, and Chesapeake Shores. Niven had the leading role in the independent film A Perfect Ending (2012). She is also a motivational speaker, media trainer and animal rights activist, and a National Ambassador for American Humane.

Early life and education

Barbara Lee Bucholz was born in 1953 in Portland, Oregon, to parents George and Edie Bucholz. She has two sisters, Shelley and Kim, and attended David Douglas High School. She has stated that she knew when she was five that she wanted to be an actress. She grew up hunting and fishing and was a senior in high school before she got involved in acting.

After high school, she attended college for six months, worked as export coordinator for a foundry, a general contractor, sold commercial real estate, and modelled. She married at twenty-one and had a business with her husband. Niven became a mother at twenty-six. After a divorce, and with no child support, she found a place to live with roommates to help with expenses.

Her ten-year high school reunion committee mailed a questionnaire, with the final inquiry being, "have you achieved everything in your life that you thought you would by now?" The realization that she had not started acting made Niven declare to herself that she was "going to be an actor" and "going to be in show business somehow." Acknowledging a penchant for being on camera and knowing that she enjoyed writing, she decided to look for a job in news reporting.

Career

Getting started

Niven went to see the news director at KGW in Portland and asked to make sample stories for him to critique. She promised to ‘pay it forward’ if she had a successful career. He agreed and provided a typical script. She was later hired as an intern, and her story about the White House Easter Egg Roll made the network news.

She spent hours reading from the theater section of Powell's Books and memorized a monologue from Neil Simon's Chapter Two. In the early 1980s, there was a nationwide search to replace the character Tina Lord on One Life to Live. One audition was held in Seattle. Niven drove in freezing rain from Portland, taped the monologue, and drove back home without telling anyone what she had done. She was one of several people chosen to go to New York for a screen test.

In New York she was told by Mari Lyn Henry, then ABC casting director, that she did not have star quality and her voice would only lead to victims' roles. She went back to Portland determined to work on her voice and her craft. She got a retired radio man to be her voice coach. She was cast in Hallmark Hall of Fame’s 1986 Promise, which filmed in Oregon. She received her SAG card on this movie. When her daughter was ten, she packed their belongings into a truck and trailer and moved to Los Angeles.

Television and film

For twelve years, she attended the master classes of Milton Katselas at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Between 1986 and 1993 she was billed as Barbara Lee Alexander, and as Barbara Lee Niven for the film Lone Tiger (1994). She is known for her roles on soap operas The Bold and the Beautiful as Brenda Dickerson, and in One Life to Live as Liz Coleman Reynolds.

She served for three years on the National Board of Directors for the Screen Actors Guild. From 20 March – 8 September 1989, she was hostess and announcer, with host Michael Burger, for the syndicated game show, Straight to the Heart. In 2000, served as a celebrity blue-team contestant for St. Thomas on Search Party.

Niven starred on the syndicated drama series Pensacola: Wings of Gold (1998-2000). Niven also has appeared in guest roles on numerous television series, including ER, Cold Case, Las Vegas, NCIS, Charmed, Eli Stone, and Parks and Recreation. Additionally, she had multiple roles on Silk Stalkings, and a recurring role on Pacific Palisades.

She played Marilyn Monroe in the HBO film The Rat Pack (1998) and has appeared in many films such as Under Lock and Key (1995), Forest Warrior (1996), Foxfire (1996), Breast Men (1997), The Drone Virus (2004), Chasing Ghosts (2005), Redline (2007), and Summer's Blood (2009). She had the leading role in A Perfect Ending (2012) and co-starred with Kat Dennings and Ray Wise in the horror comedy Suburban Gothic (2014).

Niven has also appeared in over a dozen Lifetime movies, including Stranger in My Bed (2005), The Perfect Neighbor (2005), Double Cross (2006), Murder in My House (2006), The Rival (2006), A Valentine Carol (2007), Black Widow (2008), Dead at 17 (2008), Accused at 17 (2009), Heat Wave (2009), My Mother's Secret (2012), Home Invasion (2012), The Wife He Met Online (2012), and Disney Channel's Tiger Cruise (2004).

She has multiple credits for Hallmark, starting with her first role in Hallmark Hall of Fame's Promise (1986), with James Garner and James Woods. Among other appearances, there are A Carol Christmas (2003), Wedding Daze (2004), Back to You and Me (2005), Mystery Woman: Wild West Mystery (2006), McBride: Semper Fi (2007), and Moonlight & Mistletoe (2008). In 2013, Niven was cast in Hallmark Channel's first original drama series Cedar Cove, opposite Andie MacDowell and Bruce Boxleitner. Niven is currently appearing in the series Chesapeake Shores with Treat Williams and Diane Ladd. For Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, she has been cast in the Murder, She Baked and Crossword Mysteries movies.

Speaker and coach

Barbara Niven has made motivational speeches and said that if she could become an actor as a single mother at thirty, others can also fulfill their dreams. She has spoken to school classes, professional groups, and on television shows. The subjects have included: "Giving up Perfect to Claim Your Dreams", "Paralyzed to Powerful" (tips to save yourself from a stalker), "Eating Disorders & Pressures to be Perfect", and "The Pressure to be Thin in Hollywood".

She has done media training for individuals and corporations. Niven has a studio and developed workshops to educate people to make a positive impression with speaking, presentation, and media video. Her instructions include: for presentations, consciously create a character with voice, use good lighting, and connect heart to heart; and when performing, build relationships, be a personal producer and the welcoming person in the room. She says, "the older one gets the more beautiful tools and instruments you have to add to your orchestra and your palette".

She has described her writing process as do anything but write, clean the desk, then write from the heart and let the words flow.

Personal life

Niven has been married three times, to Ronald Garrison (m. 1974, divorced), David Alexander (m. 1985, divorced), and David Niven Jr. (m. 19 June 1993, div. 1998). She has a daughter, Jessica, and three grandchildren. She obtained dual Canadian citizenship because her father was born there. Her favorite color is red, although she likes to wear black. She prefers sweats to fancy dresses.

For thirty years, between fifteen and forty-five, she suffered from bulimia. Her older sister asked about it, and she got help after her daughter fainted at cheerleading practice. Others on the squad were also bulimic/anorexic. Niven promptly got them both help. She says, "secrets are what kept me sick." Once the secret was out, it no longer controlled her. Eating disorders is a topic about which she gives presentations that garner positive feedback.

She supports human rights causes and programs that speak out against bullying. Niven appeared in She4ME ('She' for Marriage Equality), the 2014 five-minute public service video created in support. She has been a proponent of the 2012 seventeen-minute anti-bullying short Love is All You Need?, and its purpose in asking viewers to see themselves as a minority.

Niven is an animal rights activist and spokesperson. She has a four-legged family of dogs and cats at home, and fosters older pets. She has participated on an animal rescue team to save victims of a puppy mill, and is a National Ambassador for American Humane.

Filmography

as Barbara Lee Alexander     as Barbara Lee Niven

Theatre

Video games

Books

Author

• Niven, Barbara (2011). 111 Star Power Tips – Insider Secrets from a Hollywood Pro : For Videos, Audios, On-Camera Interviews, TV, Radio & Presentations. Shadoeworks. ISBN 978-1460912331.

Contributor

• Niven, Barbara (2006). "Barbara Niven ". In Stromberg, Gary; Merrill, Jane. Feeding the Fame : Celebrities Tell Their Real-Life Stories of Eating Disorders. Hazelden. pp. 96–107. ISBN 1-59285-350-1.
• Niven, Barbara (2009). "ACT AS IF!". In Kingsbury, Gail (ed.). How Did You Do That! Stories of Going for It. Yinspire Media. pp. 99–104. ISBN 978-0-9819708-8-2.
• Niven, Barbara (2011). "Shine Your Light", In Lim, Kimber (ed.). Get Your Woman On! Embracing Beauty, Grace & the Power of Women. Yinspire Media. pp. 41–46. ISBN 978-0-9819708-3-7.
• Niven, Barbara (2013). "A Perfect Ending...and a New Beginning", In Mayfield, Karen (ed.). Wake Up Women Be You : Spread Your Wings and Fly Emotionally. Wake Up Women. pp. 32–39. ISBN 978-1508705420.
• Niven, Barbara (2015). "Success, Goosebumps & Your Next Evolution". In Allen, Debbie (ed.). Experts Wisdom : Life Changing Principles and Transformational Business Strategies from the Go-To Authorities. Authentic Endeavors Publishing. pp. 203–218. ISBN 978-0-692-52264-6.
• Niven, Barbara (2016). "Taking a Leap of Faith, Dreams, Money, & Show Biz" In Giankas, Patricia (ed.). Great Credit Now : Set Your GPS for Positive Success. Authentic Endeavors Publishing. pp. 105–116. ISBN 978-0-9982105-0-6.

References

1. ^ Riggs 2003, p. 260
2. Niven, Barbara (2011). 111 Star Power Tips : Insider Secrets From A Hollywood Pro: For Videos, Audios, On-Camera Interviews, TV, Radio & Presentations. Shadoeworks. p. 7. ISBN 978-1460912331.
3. ^ Stromberg & Merrill 2006, p. 100
4. ^ Montague, Joe (1 September 2017). "Barbara Niven at Home on Chesapeake Shores". Riveting Riffs. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
5. Graham, Alex (5 April 2013). "Barbara Niven "Unleash Your Star Power!"". Celebrity English. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
6. Turnquist, Kristi (18 July 2014). "Barbara Niven: From Portland's David Douglas High School to 'Cedar Cove'". The Oregonian/OregonLive. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
7. Jacks and Shawl 2019, at 7:20 min.
8. Johnson 2019, at 6:09 min.
9. Serafini 2016, at 22:10 min.
10. Jacks and Shawl 2019, at 10:00 min.
11. Mari-Lyn Henry listing. Marquis Who’s Who. OCLC 4778535502.
12. Jacks and Shawl 2019, at 13:30 min.
13. ^ Hill, Ruth Mayer (27 August 2017). "Interview With Actress Barbara Niven, "Chesapeake Shores"". My Devotional Thoughts. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
14. Stromberg & Merrill 2006, p. 105
15. Johnson 2019. at 25:00 min.
16. ^ Furminger, Sabrina (23 July 2014). "Cedar Cove's Barbara Niven pays it forward". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
17. "Barbara Niven (ex-Liz, OLTL, 2002-03; ex-Brenda, B&B, 1996)". Soap Opera Digest. 8 July 2004. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
    Mistretta, Amy. "Ex-One Life To Live's Barbara Niven In Us. (Video Included.) - One Life To Live News - Soaps.com". Soaps.sheknows.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
18. ^ Thurston, Katherine from October 2002 (14 February 2013). ""One Live to Live" Star Bio - Barbara Niven - "Elizabeth Reynolds"". Onelifetolive.about.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
19. Johnson, Melissa (24 December 2018). "Heartfelt Success Podcast: How to Live Your Dreams with Barbara Niven". Best Friends for Frosting. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
20. Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2nd ed. McFarland. p. 1034/#8897. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
    Schwartz, David; Ryan, Steve; Wostbrock, Fred (1995). The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows, 2nd ed. Facts on File. p. 187. ISBN 0-8160-3093-6.
21. ^ Riggs 2003, p. 261
22. "Search Party". tv.com. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
23. "The NCIS Team Investigates When a Body Is Found in a Civil War". CBS Studios. 12 December 2005. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
24. ^ "Barbara Niven". digiguide.tv. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
25. ^ "Barbara Niven". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 4 June 2008. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
26. Dumitru, Anca (22 March 2013). "Barbara Niven's role of a lifetime in 'A Perfect Ending' (Includes interview)". Digital Journal. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
27. Harvey, Dennis (27 January 2015). "Film Review: 'Suburban Gothic'". Variety.
28. "Tiger Cruise". suggap. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
29. "A Carol Christmas (2003)". bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
30. "Hallmark Channel's 'When Calls The Heart' Adds Cast; 'Cedar Cove' July Premiere Set". Deadline. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
31. ^ "Barbara Niven: Actress-Speaker-Coach". findCE.com. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
32. Allen, Debbie (2014). The Highly Paid Expert. Career Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-60163-321-7.
33. Johnson 2019. at 17:01 min.
34. Jacks and Shawl 2019, at 30:55 min.
35. Archerd, Army (11 May 1993). "Smith stays strong thru cancer surgery". Variety. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
36. Wallace, Debra (28 July 2020). "Barbara Niven on Creating 'Comfort TV' With Hallmark and Why It's Never Too Late for Love". Parade. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
37. Serafini 2016, at 49:35 min.
38. Rachel 2018, at 41:38 min.
39. Rachel 2018, at 48:15 min.
40. Serafini 2016, at 42:45 min.
41. Lowe, Elizabeth D. (13 September 2008). "Grand Blanc students captivated by actress Barbara Nivens' eating disorder struggle". Michigan Live. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
42. "She4ME". marriageequality.org. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
43. "Love is All You Need?". Retrieved 28 September 2020.
44. Dawson, M (May 2014). "Unleashing Her Star Power". Empowered Woman. pp. 28–30. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
45. Serafini 2016, at 55:50 min.
46. Ganzert, Robin (1 May 2020). "Presidential Fireside Chat #7 with Barbara Niven". Parade. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
47. "American Humane National Ambassador Council". Retrieved 9 September 2020.
48. "Miracles of Christmas 2020 Preview: USS Christmas". Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
49. "Countdown to Christmas 2020 Preview: Christmas in Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing". Hallmark Channel. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
50. "Crossword Mysteries". Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. August 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
51. "Crossword Mysteries: Riddle Me Dead". Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
52. "Sweet Revenge: A Hannah Swensen Mystery". Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
53. "Countdown to Christmas 2021 Preview: The Christmas Contest". Hallmark Channel. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
54. "North to Home". Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
55. Longeretta, Emily (22 September 2022). "Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas Lineup". Variety. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
56. https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/carrot-cake-murder-a-hannah-swensen-mystery
57. https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/a-zest-for-death-a-hannah-swensen-mystery
58. https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/ms-christmas-comes-to-town
59. Gidlow, Steve (7 November 2019). "Hallmark Stars Barbara Niven and John Kapelos Hit the Stage in Los Angeles". MediaVillage. Retrieved 3 September 2020.

Sources

• Riggs, Thomas, ed. (2003). Contemporary Theatre, Film & Television, Vol. 48. Thomson Gale. ISBN 0-7876-6363-8.
• Stromberg, Gary; Merrill, Jane (2006). Feeding the Fame : Celebrities Tell Their Real-Life Stories of Eating Disorders. Hazelden. ISBN 1-59285-350-1.
• Serafini, Marisa (31 October 2016). "Barbara Niven Interview". AfterBuzz (Podcast). Retrieved 20 September 2020.
• Rachel (5 August 2018). "Actress Barbara Niven Interview". Hallmarkies Podcast (Podcast). Retrieved 22 September 2020.
• Johnson, Melissa (30 April 2019). "How to Live Your Dreams with Barbara Niven". Best Friends For Frosting (Podcast). Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
• Jacks and Shawl (21 August 2019). "Barbara Niven Interview-Chesapeake Shores". Hallmark Channels' Bubbly Sesh (Podcast). Retrieved 20 September 2020.

Additional reading

• Markel, Adam (2016). Pivot : The Art and Science of Reinventing Your Career and Life. Atria Books. . ISBN 978-1-4767-7947-8.

External links

• Official website
• Barbara Niven at IMDb
• Barbara Niven on Facebook
• Barbara Niven on Twitter
• Barbara Niven's channel on YouTube
• Barbara Niven at the TCM Movie Database
• Barbara Niven at AllMovie
• Fans of Barbara Niven on Facebook
• Barbara Niven: Actor, Media Trainer, Motivational Speaker - a resource page

• 1953 births
• Living people
• 20th-century American actresses
• 21st-century American actresses
• Actresses from Portland, Oregon
• American film actresses
• American soap opera actresses
• American television actresses
• American video game actresses
• David Douglas High School alumni
• Niven family