January 27, 2000

Hart and Co. headed to UTA

Zorianna Kit
The Hollywood Reporter

Melissa Joan Hart ("Sabrina, the Teenage Witch") and her production company Hartbreak Films have signed with United Talent Agency for representation in all areas. She had been with CAA.

Hart has starred in such recent features as "Drive Me Crazy" and "Can't Hardly Wait." The actress, who next appears in the indie film "The Specials," recently branched into directing when she helmed an episode of her ABC "Sabrina" series, which she also produced though her Hartbreak Films.

Hartbreak also produces "Sabrina, the Animated Series," featuring the voices of Hart and her sister Emily. Run by president Paula Hart (Hart's mother), the company has a three-picture deal at Nickelodeon Films and has produced such Hart vehicles as the Wonderful World of Disney's "Sabrina Goes to Rome" and "Sabrina Down Under," as well as the network features "Silencing Mary" and "Two Came Back."

Hartbreak is developing the feature "Jacob's Hands," based on a manuscript by Aldous Huxley and Christopher Isherwood, and "Malibu Maniacs" a live-action feature based on an unpublished comic book. Upcoming television projects from the company include "Planet Yumthing," a half-hour comedy for Paramount Television billed as Martha Stewart for teens.

Hart began her career on Broadway opposite Martin Sheen in "The Crucible" and went on to star opposite William Hurt in the Circle Repertory production of "Beside Herself." Hart garnered attention for her starring role in the Nickelodeon television series "Clarissa Explains It All."