Hot In Cleveland: 10 Secrets You Didn’t Know About The Cast

Many TV shows follow up and coming young stars following their dreams in Hollywood. Hot In Cleveland subverts that trope and follows the lives of three older film industry veterans who have escaped the ageist culture of Los Angeles. After a twist of fate, they find themselves in Cleveland, Ohio, wherein they move into the guest house of Elka Ostrovsky, who has quite a colorful history herself.

Melanie Moretti, Joy Scroggs, and Victoria Chase navigate age, disillusionment, and many funny moments in this beloved comedy series. And the main cast of mature, competent actresses is very much in line with the show’s themes.

10 Everyone Loves Betty White

If any of the comments about protecting Betty White at all costs are an indication, she has gained a reputation for being one of the most beloved celebrities out there. In fact, a Reuters/Ipsos poll asked about 2000 Americans whose endorsement would make a business more profitable.

Out of many prominent celebrities (including Sandra Bullock, Will Smith, and Tom Hanks), the majority proclaimed that Betty White was their choice.

9 Wendie Malick Was On Frasier…

Wendie Malick has appeared in many television series and films, but one of the most beloved series she has starred in is Frasier. She played Veronica “Ronee” Lawrence, Frasier, and his brother, Nile’s, childhood babysitter. When she makes her appearance in the final season, Ronee is has released an album and is an accomplished lounge singer.

When she re-enters the Crane’s lives, she begins dating Martin and goes on to marry him in the show’s series finale.

8 And So Was Jane Leeves!

While Wendie Malick’s role on Frasier was recurring, Jane Leeve’s role on Frasier was as a main character. She played Daphne Moon, Martin Crane’s live-in physiotherapist.  Her working-class background from Manchester contrasts the Crane’s upper-class lifestyle, making her a frequent comic relief character.

She ends up falling in love with and marrying Niles (after many years of both characters being oblivious to the other’s feelings). In the series finale, she gives birth to their first son, David.

7 Joe Jonas Had A Recurring Role

The Jonas brothers have acted in a variety of films and TV shows, including Hot In Cleveland. Joe Jonas played Melanie Moretti’s son, Will. He makes his first appearance in season 1 when he drops in to visit his mother on his way back from college. Due to her snooping, she discovers that he is engaged and accidentally causes the couple to break up.

His second appearance is in season 3 when he comes to visit with Victoria’s daughter, Emmy, and announce their engagement to each other.

6 Valerie Bertinelli Hosts Cooking Shows

Besides her acting career, Valerie Bertinelli has begun hosting TV shows, particularly cooking shows. Along with cake artist Duff Goldman, she has hosted Valerie’s Home Cooking and Kids Baking Championship on Food Network since 2015.  The former involves children baking desserts and cooking other foods for a grand prize.

Last year, she started hosting two more shows on the Food Network, Family Food Showdown, and Family Restaurant Rivals.

5 Valerie Bertinelli Has Royal Relations

In addition to being an accomplished TV host and actress, Valerie Bertinelli recently discovered that she has royal relations. In 2014, she appeared on the genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are. She made many discoveries about her mother’s family, but it was her English roots that were the most surprising.

Through her 8 times great grandfather, James Claypoole, she traces the family tree all the way back to King Edward I. The royal lineage came through marriage. It was an important experience for her to combine her Italian and English roots.

4 Betty White Has An Honorary Degree

Betty White has advocated for animal rights since the early 1970s and has worked with many organizations including the Los Angeles Zoo, the Morris Animal Foundation, and African Wildlife Foundation.

Her work with animals got her recognized by Washington State University who, in 2011, awarded her an honorary degree and white doctor’s coat from their Veterinary Medical Association. A year earlier, she even got to fulfill her lifetime dream when she was made an honorary Forest Ranger by the USDA Forest Service (and Smokey the Bear).

3 Wendie Malick Has Interesting Beginnings

Before she made her breakthrough in acting, Wendie Malick pursued other careers. Shortly after graduating from Wesleyan University, she modeled for Wilhelmina International Inc. Following that, she went to work for DC congressman, Jack Kemp.

Her acting career took off when she joined the cast of the HBO comedy, Dream On as Judith Tupper. Her run on the show won her four CABLEAce awards. She then joined Just Shoot Me! which got her two Emmy nominations.

2 Jane Leeves Was In A Remake Of Miracle On 34th Street

Leeves not only made her mark in beloved TV series but also in beloved films. She was cast in the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street. The story follows Dorey Walker, a Cole’s Department Store executive. She hires a man named Kris Kringle to play Santa Claus in the Thanksgiving Parade, who claims to be the real Santa Claus.

Leeves plays as a minion of Victor Landberg, the head of Cole’s competing department store. She is given the mission of luring Kris Kringle to work for their department store.

1 The Ghost Whisperer Makes An Appearance

Jennifer Love-Hewitt’s took off in the 1990s  as a teen star in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise. She became a recurring character in Hot In Cleveland’s second season as Will Moretti’s fiancee. She takes after her mother Victoria and is an actress, having appeared in a fictional show called Cole’s Law.

She returns in the show’s fifth season and announces that not only has she eloped, but she is also pregnant with a daughter, whom she names Melon.