Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Michele Lee
Michele Lee Facts
| Sign | Cancer |
| Born |
Jun 24, 1942 Los Angeles, CA |
| Age | 84 |
| Total Facts | 51 |
Dottie West became her idol and she later played the late country singer's life in a TV movie, Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story (1995) (TV).
After many years of suffering from injuries, between skiing and dancing, she cannot participate as a finalist on "Dancing with the Stars" (2005/I).
After the death of her parents, David Jacobs (creator of "Dallas" (1978)) and producer Michael Filerman had approached her on one of her movies, Bud and Lou (1978) (TV), in which she wasn't doing any singing/dancing and 2 weeks later, asked her to star in a pilot called, "Knots Landing" (1979). In fact, ever since she guest-starred in several television shows, she was looking for a television show to star in, perhaps a situation comedy and instead she ended up on a dramatic series.
Appeared alongside Bill Bixby on the pilot of a 1970s trashy game show "Cop Out" that has never aired.
Best known by the public for her starring role as Karen Fairgate MacKenzie on "Knots Landing" (1979).
Born at 1:25am-PWT.
Danced on stage with Gregory Hines.
Daughter of makeup artist Jack Dusick.
Even during the final season of "Knots Landing" (1979) when other actors/actresses were required to be "absent" for 4 episodes, she offered to appear without pay.
Game show legends Chuck Barris and Bill Cullen became favorites of hers.
Graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, California, in 1960.
Had a clause in her "Knots Landing" (1979) contract that her character would never be a grandmother.
Had met Lucille Ball's family when she was a young adult, who worked for them, and after Ball's death, continues to be friends with Lucille's daughter and son, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr..
Has a cat named Kit Ten.
Has lived in a Los Angeles house from 1963-2001.
Has twice been nominated for Broadway's Tony Awards: in 1974 as Best Actress (Musical) for "Seesaw" and in 2001 as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for "A Tale of the Allergist's Wife".
Her ex-husband James Farentino died in 2012.
Her family is Russian-Polish.
Her father had worked for MGM Studios in the 1950s and 1960s.
Her father worked with popular actors Clint Eastwood and Richard Chamberlain before his death in early 1970.
Her favorite actress is Anne Bancroft.
Her favorite episodes of "Knots Landing" (1979) are Sid's death, Val's missing twins, Laura's death and the Pollyanna Speech.
Her first car was a Plymouth convertible.
Holds the record for the greatest number of consecutive appearances by a leading actress in an hour-long prime-time dramatic series, for her 344 appearances on "Knots Landing" (1979).
In 1996 she became the first woman to produce, direct, write and star in a motion picture made for television. Color Me Perfect (1996) (TV) won the Christopher Award.
Is a huge fan of Kenny Rogers's music. Lee co-starred with him in the TV movie Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story (1995) (TV).
Is a huge fan of "Desperate Housewives" (2004).
Is a longtime friend of former child star, Ricky Schroder. She hired him to play Lee's son in one of her TV movies in the early 1990s, My Son Johnny (1991) (TV).
Is a longtime friend of the late Bill Bixby, but didn't attend his funeral in Hawaii, when she was on vacation with her family.
Is a member of the Artists Committee of the John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts.
Is a spokesperson for Parents Involved In Educating Teenagers About Alcohol.
Is a staunch Republican.
Is an alto.
Is an avid jogger.
Is the neighbor of Charles Durning, who goes out to a neighborhood restaurant with her.
Loves to travel to St. Martin (in the Caribbean) and the Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona.
Met her first husband James Farentino after she starred in a 1961 Broadway musical, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying".
Mother, with James Farentino, of son David Farentino.
On an episode of "Knots Landing" (1979), her character removed the wedding ring. In real-life, the ring she wore was actually the one given to her by her mother. Although she and husband James Farentino had divorced, they still remain close friends.
Once rapped and danced with Dick Van Dyke about who would have won the People's Choice Awards in 1962.
Relocated to New York in 2001.
She appeared alongside Tyne Daly, Leslie Uggams, Christine Baranski and Karen Ziemba for the Kennedy Center Honor, to pay tribute to her ex-"Knots Landing" (1979) co-star, Julie Harris.
She participated in the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.
Stays close to her ex-"Knots Landing" (1979) co-star, Joan Van Ark.
The only time she worked with Bob Hope was on Broadway.
Was a dancer and a singer before becoming an actress.
Was a heavy smoker at an earlier age.
Was friends with Bill Bixby, Dick Van Dyke, Julie Harris, Don Murray, Ricky Schroder, Robert Morse, Sharon Gless, Lainie Kazan and Stephanie Zimbalist.
Was voted the best entertainer in high school.
Watches every episode of "60 Minutes" (1968).