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{{short description|American actress and commentator}}
{{Short description|American news anchor (born 1972)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Melissa Francis
| name = Melissa Francis
| image = Melissa Francis at the Wall Street Money Never Sleeps Premiere.jpg
| image = Melissa Francis at the Wall Street Money Never Sleeps Premiere (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Melissa Francis at the ''[[Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps]]'' premiere in 2010
| caption = Francis in 2010
| birth_name = Melissa Ann Francis<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/vini_m_francis_born_1972_11611954|title=Vini M Francis, Born 12/12/1972 in California - CaliforniaBirthIndex.org|work=californiabirthindex.org|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref>
| birth_name = Melissa Ann Francis<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/vini_m_francis_born_1972_11611954|title=Vini M Francis, Born 12/12/1972 in California - CaliforniaBirthIndex.org|work=californiabirthindex.org|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|12|12}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|12|12}}
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| nationality =
| nationality =
| other_names = Missy Francis
| other_names = Missy Francis
| education = [[Harvard University]] {{small|(B.A.)}}
| education = [[Harvard University]] (B.A.)
| occupation = News anchor<br />Actress
| occupation = News anchor<br />Actress
| years_active =
| years_active =
| known_for =
| known_for =
| spouse = Wray Thorn {{small|(1997–present)}}
| spouse = Wray Thorn (m. 1997)
| children = 3
| children = 3
| website =
| website =
}}
}}


<!-- Please do not add "Vini", which is not her first name, but her mother's-->'''Melissa Ann Francis''' (born December 12, 1972) is an American television news personality who most recently appeared as an anchor and commentator for the [[Fox Business Network]] (FBN) and [[Fox News]] (FNC). Previously, she worked as an actress.
<!-- Please do not add "Vini", which is not her first name, but her mother's-->'''Melissa Ann Francis''' (born December 12, 1972) is an American television news personality who last worked as an anchor and commentator for the [[Fox Business Network]] (FBN) and [[Fox News]] (FNC), departing in 2020. Previously, she worked as an actress.


Prior to FBN, she worked at [[CNBC]]. She had been the co-host of ''After The Bell'' weekday afternoons with Connell MacShane. She also was most recently an anchor on FNC's ''[[Happening Now]]'' newscast. She most recently had been a regular panelist on FNC's afternoon talk show ''[[Outnumbered (U.S. TV program)|Outnumbered]]''. However, in late October 2020, it was reported that she had been pushed out of Fox. Although there was not a formal announcement to that effect, all signs point to her having departed Fox, likely not on her terms.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Ted |title=Melissa Francis Off Fox News Amid Reports Of Pay Disparity Dispute |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/fox-news-melissa-francis-1234602628/ |work=Deadline |date=October 23, 2020}}</ref>
Prior to FBN, she worked at [[CNBC]]. She had been the co-host of ''After The Bell'' weekday afternoons with [[Connell McShane]]. She also was an anchor on FNC's ''[[Happening Now]]'' newscast, and a regular panelist on FNC's afternoon talk show ''[[Outnumbered (American TV program)|Outnumbered]]''. In late October 2020, it was reported that she had been pushed out of Fox.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Ted |title=Melissa Francis Off Fox News Amid Reports Of Pay Disparity Dispute |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/fox-news-melissa-francis-1234602628/ |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=October 23, 2020}}</ref> In 2022, Fox paid her a $15 million settlement on a pay discrimination lawsuit.


== Education ==
== Education ==
Line 41: Line 41:
}}</ref> Other television appearances include two series regular roles: ''Morningstar/Eveningstar'' and ''Joe’s World'', and three films including ''[[Man, Woman and Child (film)|Man, Woman and Child]]'', where she played Paula Beckwith. She has also had appearances in the television series ''[[St. Elsewhere]]'' in 1986 and the 1988 film ''[[Bad Dreams (film)|Bad Dreams]]'', where she played young Cynthia. Melissa appeared in nearly 100 commercials during her acting career. She is reportedly the inspiration for the fictional character Avery Jessup (conceived of and played by [[Elizabeth Banks]]) in the show ''[[30 Rock]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/which-cnbc-anchor-was-the-basis-for-30-rocks-avery-jessup-2010-2 |title = Which CNBC Anchor Was The Basis For 30 Rock's Avery Jessup? |date=February 16, 2010 |access-date=May 7, 2010}}</ref> although Banks herself has denied this.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/19/elizabeth-banks-slams-pag_n_469304.html |title=Elizabeth Banks Slams Page Six For "30 Rock" Story |date=April 21, 2010 |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |access-date=February 7, 2012}}</ref>
}}</ref> Other television appearances include two series regular roles: ''Morningstar/Eveningstar'' and ''Joe’s World'', and three films including ''[[Man, Woman and Child (film)|Man, Woman and Child]]'', where she played Paula Beckwith. She has also had appearances in the television series ''[[St. Elsewhere]]'' in 1986 and the 1988 film ''[[Bad Dreams (film)|Bad Dreams]]'', where she played young Cynthia. Melissa appeared in nearly 100 commercials during her acting career. She is reportedly the inspiration for the fictional character Avery Jessup (conceived of and played by [[Elizabeth Banks]]) in the show ''[[30 Rock]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/which-cnbc-anchor-was-the-basis-for-30-rocks-avery-jessup-2010-2 |title = Which CNBC Anchor Was The Basis For 30 Rock's Avery Jessup? |date=February 16, 2010 |access-date=May 7, 2010}}</ref> although Banks herself has denied this.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/19/elizabeth-banks-slams-pag_n_469304.html |title=Elizabeth Banks Slams Page Six For "30 Rock" Story |date=April 21, 2010 |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |access-date=February 7, 2012}}</ref>


==Journalism==
=== Journalism ===
Francis has worked as a reporter for [[CNBC]] and [[CNET]].<ref name="cnbcbio">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/melissa-francis/|title=Melissa Francis Profile - CNBC|last=Francis|first=Melissa|website=www.cnbc.com|date=January 10, 2011|access-date=March 6, 2019}}</ref>
Francis has worked as a reporter for [[CNBC]] and [[CNET]].<ref name="cnbcbio">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/melissa-francis/|title=Melissa Francis Profile - CNBC|last=Francis|first=Melissa|website=www.cnbc.com|date=January 10, 2011|access-date=March 6, 2019}}</ref>


In January 2012, Francis became an [[Television anchor|anchor]] for [[Fox Business Network]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Who'sNews: Why isn't Melissa Francis on CNBC anymore?|date=February 10, 2012|work=Arizona Daily Star}}</ref>
In January 2012, Francis became an [[Television anchor|anchor]] for [[Fox Business Network]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Who'sNews: Why isn't Melissa Francis on CNBC anymore?|date=February 10, 2012|work=Arizona Daily Star}}</ref>


In 2014, Francis became a recurring co-host of Fox News Channel's talk and news commentary program, ''[[Outnumbered (U.S. TV program)|Outnumbered]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/outnumbered/index.html | title=Outnumbered | publisher=Fox News | access-date=March 6, 2015}}</ref> She also anchored FNC's ''[[Happening Now]]'' newscast.
In 2014, Francis became a recurring co-host of Fox News Channel's talk and news commentary program, ''[[Outnumbered (American TV program)|Outnumbered]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/outnumbered/index.html | title=Outnumbered | publisher=Fox News | access-date=March 6, 2015}}</ref> She also anchored FNC's ''[[Happening Now]]'' newscast.


===Departure from Fox===
==== Departure from Fox ====
⚫
In late October 2020, it was reported that Francis had been pushed out at Fox. She had not been seen on the network since early in the month. Her contract had expired about a year earlier and had not been renewed.
⚫
The only communication on the issue from Francis herself came in a tweet, where she thanked her followers for their support.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Francis |first=Melissa |author-link=Melissa Francis |user=MelissaAFrancis |number=1320402307738161153 |date=October 25, 2020 |title=Thanks for all the kind words of support. |language=en |access-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027010319/https://twitter.com/MelissaAFrancis/status/1320402307738161153 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, her profile on Twitter soon dropped any reference to Fox as well.<ref>{{Cite Twitter profile|MelissaAFrancis}}</ref>


In late 2020, Francis filed a pay discrimination action against Fox.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelist.com/267225/the-truth-about-fox-news-melissa-francis/|title=The Truth About Fox News' Melissa Francis|date=October 25, 2020}}</ref> Francis claimed that Fox News underpaid her compared to her male colleagues, and she initiated legal claims against Fox. Fox and Francis reached a settlement in June 2022 whereby Fox paid Francis $15 million.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Fox News paid $15 million to former host who filed pay disparity claim |language=en-US |work=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/06/19/fox-news-melissa-francis-gender-pay-gap-settlement/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
⚫
In late October 2020, it was reported that Francis had been pushed out at Fox. She had not been seen on the network since early in the month. Her contract had expired about a year earlier and had not been renewed. Francis also had filed a pay discrimination action against Fox.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelist.com/267225/the-truth-about-fox-news-melissa-francis/|title=The Truth About Fox News' Melissa Francis|date=October 25, 2020}}</ref>

⚫
The only communication on the issue from Francis herself came in a tweet, where she thanked her followers for their support.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Francis |first=Melissa |author-link=Melissa Francis |user=MelissaAFrancis |number=1320402307738161153 |date=October 25, 2020 |title=Thanks for all the kind words of support. |language=en |access-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027010319/https://twitter.com/MelissaAFrancis/status/1320402307738161153 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, her profile on Twitter soon dropped any reference to Fox as well.<ref>https://twitter.com/MelissaAFrancis {{Bare URL inline|date=November 2021}}</ref>


===Writer===
===Writer===
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|-
|-
|2012
|2012
|''{{sortname|The|Dictator|The Dictator (2012 film)}}''
|''[[The Dictator (2012 film)|The Dictator]]''
|Local News Reporter
|Local News Reporter
|
|
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|-
|-
|1974
|1974
|''{{sortname|The|Ghost of Flight 401|nolink=1}}''
|''The Ghost of Flight 401''
|Kid
|Kid
|TV film
|rowspan=3|TV movie
|-
|-
|1979
|rowspan=2|1979
|''Champions: A Love Story''
|''Champions: A Love Story''
|Sally
|Sally
|TV film
|-
|-
|1979
|''[[Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love]]''
|''[[Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love]]''
|Thea
|Thea
|TV film
|-
|-
|1979–1980
|1979–80
|''[[Joe's World]]''
|''[[Joe's World]]''
|Linda Wabash
|Linda Wabash
|Main role (11 episodes)
|Main role
|-
|-
|1980
|rowspan=3|1980
|''[[Mork & Mindy]]''
|''[[Mork & Mindy]]''
|Little Mindy
|Little Mindy
|Episode: "A Mommy for Mindy"
|Episode: "A Mommy for Mindy"
|-
|-
|1980
|''[[Galactica 1980]]''
|''[[Galactica 1980]]''
|Little Girl
|Little Girl
|Episode: "Galactica Discovers Earth Part II And III"
|Episode: "Galactica Discovers Earth Part II And III"
|-
|-
|1980
|''[[Extras (TV series)#When the Whistle Blows|When the Whistle Blows]]''
|''[[Extras (TV series)#When the Whistle Blows|When the Whistle Blows]]''
|Deenie
|Deenie
|Episode: "Love Is a Four-Letter Word"
|Episode: "Love Is a Four-Letter Word"
|-
|-
|1981
|rowspan=2|1981
|''Midnight Lace''
|''Midnight Lace''
|Cathy, age 11
|Cathy, age 11
|TV film
|rowspan=2|TV movie
|-
|-
⚫
|''A Gun in the House''
|1981
⚫
|''{{sortname|A|Gun in the House|nolink=1}}''
|Diana Cates
|Diana Cates
|TV film
|-
|-
|1981–1982
|1981–82
|''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]''
|''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]''
|Cassandra Cooper Ingalls
|Cassandra Cooper Ingalls
|Main role (21 episodes)
|Main role
|-
|-
|1984
|1984
|''[[Something About Amelia]]''
|''[[Something About Amelia]]''
|Beth Bennett
|Beth Bennett
|TV film
|TV movie
|-
|-
|1985
|rowspan=2|1985
|''[[Hotel (U.S. TV series)|Hotel]]''
|''[[Hotel (U.S. TV series)|Hotel]]''
|Jodi Abbott
|Jodi Abbott
|Episode: "Rallying Cry"
|Episode: "Rallying Cry"
|-
|-
|1985
|''[[CBS Schoolbreak Special]]''
|''[[CBS Schoolbreak Special]]''
|Tina
|Tina
|Episode: "The War Between the Classes"
|Episode: "The War Between the Classes"
|-
|-
|1986
|rowspan=2|1986
|''[[St. Elsewhere]]''
|''[[St. Elsewhere]]''
|Cynthia
|Cynthia
|Episode: "Family Affair"
|Episode: "Family Affair"
|-
|-
|1986
|''Morningstar/Eveningstar''
|''Morningstar/Eveningstar''
|Sarah Bishop
|Sarah Bishop
|Main role (7 episodes)
|Main role
|-
|-
|1988
|1988
|''{{sortname|A|Year in the Life}}''
|''[[A Year in the Life]]''
|Eunice
|Eunice
|Episode: "Common Ground"
|Episode: "Common Ground"
Line 197: Line 188:
==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
*{{IMDb name}}
*[https://www.foxbusiness.com/person/f/melissa-francis/ Fox Business bio]
*{{IMDb name|290261|Melissa Francis}}
*[http://littlehouseontheprairie.com/melissa-francis-lessons-from-the-prairie/ Melissa Francis: Lessons From The Prairie]
*[http://littlehouseontheprairie.com/melissa-francis-lessons-from-the-prairie/ Melissa Francis: Lessons From The Prairie]
* {{Muckrack}}
* {{Muckrack}}

Latest revision as of 04:28, 22 December 2024

Melissa Francis
Francis in 2010
Born
Melissa Ann Francis[1]

(1972-12-12) December 12, 1972 (age 52)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesMissy Francis
EducationHarvard University (B.A.)
Occupation(s)News anchor
Actress
SpouseWray Thorn (m. 1997)
Children3

Melissa Ann Francis (born December 12, 1972) is an American television news personality who last worked as an anchor and commentator for the Fox Business Network (FBN) and Fox News (FNC), departing in 2020. Previously, she worked as an actress.

Prior to FBN, she worked at CNBC. She had been the co-host of After The Bell weekday afternoons with Connell McShane. She also was an anchor on FNC's Happening Now newscast, and a regular panelist on FNC's afternoon talk show Outnumbered. In late October 2020, it was reported that she had been pushed out of Fox.[2] In 2022, Fox paid her a $15 million settlement on a pay discrimination lawsuit.

Education

[edit]

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Francis graduated from Harvard University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.[3][4]

Career

[edit]

Acting

[edit]

Francis started her acting career on television by appearing in a Johnson & Johnson shampoo commercial at 6 months old. She was known for her role as Cassandra Cooper Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, for two seasons.[5][6] Other television appearances include two series regular roles: Morningstar/Eveningstar and Joe’s World, and three films including Man, Woman and Child, where she played Paula Beckwith. She has also had appearances in the television series St. Elsewhere in 1986 and the 1988 film Bad Dreams, where she played young Cynthia. Melissa appeared in nearly 100 commercials during her acting career. She is reportedly the inspiration for the fictional character Avery Jessup (conceived of and played by Elizabeth Banks) in the show 30 Rock,[7] although Banks herself has denied this.[8]

Journalism

[edit]

Francis has worked as a reporter for CNBC and CNET.[4]

In January 2012, Francis became an anchor for Fox Business Network.[9]

In 2014, Francis became a recurring co-host of Fox News Channel's talk and news commentary program, Outnumbered.[10] She also anchored FNC's Happening Now newscast.

Departure from Fox

[edit]

In late October 2020, it was reported that Francis had been pushed out at Fox. She had not been seen on the network since early in the month. Her contract had expired about a year earlier and had not been renewed. The only communication on the issue from Francis herself came in a tweet, where she thanked her followers for their support.[11] However, her profile on Twitter soon dropped any reference to Fox as well.[12]

In late 2020, Francis filed a pay discrimination action against Fox.[13] Francis claimed that Fox News underpaid her compared to her male colleagues, and she initiated legal claims against Fox. Fox and Francis reached a settlement in June 2022 whereby Fox paid Francis $15 million.[14]

Writer

[edit]

Francis authored a book in November 2012, Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter: A Memoir, concerning the trials, tribulations and joys of having an overbearing mother;[15] and in April 2017, published Lessons from the Prairie, relating childhood experiences from the show as applied to her adult life.[16]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1979 Scavenger Hunt Jennifer Motley
1983 Man, Woman and Child Paula Beckwith
1988 Bad Dreams Young Cynthia
2009 Race to Witch Mountain TV reporter Uncredited
2012 The Dictator Local News Reporter

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1974 The Ghost of Flight 401 Kid TV movie
1979 Champions: A Love Story Sally
Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love Thea
1979–1980 Joe's World Linda Wabash Main role
1980 Mork & Mindy Little Mindy Episode: "A Mommy for Mindy"
Galactica 1980 Little Girl Episode: "Galactica Discovers Earth Part II And III"
When the Whistle Blows Deenie Episode: "Love Is a Four-Letter Word"
1981 Midnight Lace Cathy, age 11 TV movie
A Gun in the House Diana Cates
1981–1982 Little House on the Prairie Cassandra Cooper Ingalls Main role
1984 Something About Amelia Beth Bennett TV movie
1985 Hotel Jodi Abbott Episode: "Rallying Cry"
CBS Schoolbreak Special Tina Episode: "The War Between the Classes"
1986 St. Elsewhere Cynthia Episode: "Family Affair"
Morningstar/Eveningstar Sarah Bishop Main role
1988 A Year in the Life Eunice Episode: "Common Ground"
1989 ALF Miss Williams Episode: "Baby, Come Back"
1990 Hardball Episode: "A Death in the Family"

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Vini M Francis, Born 12/12/1972 in California - CaliforniaBirthIndex.org". californiabirthindex.org. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  2. ^ Johnson, Ted (October 23, 2020). "Melissa Francis Off Fox News Amid Reports Of Pay Disparity Dispute". Deadline Hollywood.
  3. ^ Hageman, William (March 24, 2013). "When a parent is stage-struck: Shining a spotlight on parents who push their kids too far". Chicago Tribune.
  4. ^ a b Francis, Melissa (January 10, 2011). "Melissa Francis Profile - CNBC". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  5. ^ Friedman, Jon (September 19, 2007). "CNBC's Melissa Francis isn't over the hill". MarketWatch. Retrieved September 19, 2007.
  6. ^ "Missy Francis Biography". TV.com. 2009. Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  7. ^ "Which CNBC Anchor Was The Basis For 30 Rock's Avery Jessup?". February 16, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  8. ^ "Elizabeth Banks Slams Page Six For "30 Rock" Story". The Huffington Post. April 21, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  9. ^ "Who'sNews: Why isn't Melissa Francis on CNBC anymore?". Arizona Daily Star. February 10, 2012.
  10. ^ "Outnumbered". Fox News. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  11. ^ Francis, Melissa [@MelissaAFrancis] (October 25, 2020). "Thanks for all the kind words of support" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "@MelissaAFrancis" on Twitter
  13. ^ "The Truth About Fox News' Melissa Francis". October 25, 2020.
  14. ^ "Fox News paid $15 million to former host who filed pay disparity claim". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  15. ^ Francis, Melissa (November 6, 2012). Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter: A Memoir (3rd ed.). Hachette Book. ISBN 978-1602861725.
  16. ^ Francis, Melissa (April 25, 2017). Lessons from the Prairie. Weinstein Publishing. ISBN 9781602863064.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melissa Francis.
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