Kelly Stables

Kelly Michelle Stables (born January 26, 1978) is an American actress. She is known for her television roles, such as Melissa on ''Two and a Half Men'' (2008–2010), Eden Konkler on '' The Exes'' (2011–2015), and Kelly Watson on '' Superstore'' (2017–2021), as well as for her voice acting roles as Will Vandom in the animated adaptation of '' W.I.T.C.H.'' (2004–2006) and Arrowette in '' Young Justice'' (2019, 2021). She also had roles in films ''The Ring Two'' (2005), ''Horrible Bosses 2'' (2014) and '' Holiday Twist'' (2023).

Early life

Kelly Michelle Stables was born on January 26, 1978, in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Lafayette High School, where she was a cheerleader, prom queen and senior class president. Stables graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia, earning a bachelor's degree in Communication with an emphasis in Television and a minor in Theatre Performance. While at the University of Missouri she was a member of Delta Gamma. In March 2000, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

Career

2000–2010: Early acting roles and breakthrough with ''The Ring'' films

Upon arriving to Los Angeles, Stables started working as an extra, including playing a monkey on the adventure film ''Planet of the Apes'' (2001), directed by Tim Burton. Early in her career, Stables did stunt work for films '' The Ring'' (2002), ''Spider-Man'' (2002) and '' The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement'' (2004). Stables also starred in a number of plays. Her two largest theatrical roles were in the Thousand Oaks Civic Light Opera's production of '' Peter Pan'' as Wendy, and in ''Sleeping Beauty'' as the title character. She has also played several other stage roles, most notably that of Marion Davies in ''W.R. and the Daisy.'' She briefly appeared in the unaired pilot for '' The Grubbs'' (2002). Stables subsequently landed roles in films ''The Haunted Mansion'' (2003), '' Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy'' (2003) and '' Bring It On Again'' (2004). She voiced the role of Will Vandom on ABC's animated television series '' W.I.T.C.H.'' (2004–2006).

She replaced actress Daveigh Chase in the role of Samara Morgan for short film '' Rings'' (2005) and the supernatural horror film ''The Ring Two'' (2005). ''The Ring Two'' received generally mixed reviews from critics and grossed $164 million at the box office worldwide. For her role as Samara, it took five and a half hours to get her makeup done and over an hour to take off the makeup. Her performance in ''The Ring'' films significantly elevated her profile, attracting attention and earning her recognition in prominent publications such as ''Rolling Stone'' and '' Variety.'' After ''The Ring Two'', Stables quit her full-time job in accounting at a theater company, saying: "It wasn’t until ''The Ring 2'' that I stopped my day job, so to speak. I did accounting at a theater company when I first moved here, and then after that, I did the bookkeeping for a small production company. I definitely had to have that source of income. I knew I couldn’t wait tables because I’m not strong enough to hold those big trays, and plus, I’m so short that they would be hitting people as I walked past them."

She guest-starred on Fox's sitcom '''Til Death'' (2006) as a travel agent Sandi, and on CBS' sitcom ''How I Met Your Mother'' (2006) as a masseuse. In November 2007, Stables played a 12-year old cavekid boy, Rocky the Cave Kid on ABC's sitcom ''Cavemen'', in the episode "Cave Kid". She had a recurring role as Janette on ABC Family's comedy drama series ''Greek'' (2007–2009). Her character Janette was the former vice-president of Judicial for Pan-Hellenic and a sister at Gamma Psi, and eventually left to focus on her studies.

Stables had a recurring role as Alan Harper's receptionist Melissa in the sixth, seventh and eighth seasons of CBS' sitcom ''Two and a Half Men'' (2008–2010). Melissa had an on-again, off-again relationship with Alan, played by Jon Cryer. She appeared in a Burger King "King Value Network" (2009) commercial campaign as a woman who is selling things on infomercials, and portrayed a businesswoman in a 7 Up (2010) commercial alongside Brad Garrett. In 2010, she co-starred on the short-lived ABC sitcom '' Romantically Challenged'' playing Lisa Thomas, Alyssa Milano's character's sister. Stables' character Lisa is the "sexpert" of the group offering often unwanted advice. On May 16, 2010, ABC canceled the series; six episodes were produced, but only four aired.

2011–present: Success with ''The Exes'' and ''Superstore''

In 2011, she landed one of the main roles as legal assistant Eden Konkler on TV Land's sitcom '' The Exes'' (2011–2015). Her character Eden is a party girl, who later becomes a surrogate mother. The writers of ''The Exes'' wrote Stables' real-life pregnancy into the series' storyline. The series ran for four seasons, with the series finale airing September 16, 2015. She appeared in the comedy film ''Horrible Bosses 2'' (2014) as Rachel, who is part of the ''Good Morning LA'' crew. The film was a commercial success, and grossed $107.7 million at the worldwide box office. Stables joined the cast of The CW's comedy drama television series '' No Tomorrow'' (2016), playing Mary Anne, the sister of the main character, Evie.

Stables then landed a recurring role on the third season of the NBC television series '' Superstore'' in 2017. She portrayed Kelly Watson, a new sales associate at the fictional department store Cloud 9. Kelly eventually becomes the love interest of Jonah Simms, played by Ben Feldman, and they move in together. Stables described her character Kelly Watson by saying: "I think Kelly is just an optimistic person. She likes to have a good time, she likes to laugh, she likes to enjoy herself wherever she goes. And I think Jonah — they bring that out in each other."

She had voice roles on the DC Universe superhero animated series'' Young Justice'' (2019, 2021) as Arrowette, and as Mouse in the fantasy adventure film '' Dolittle'' (2020). She had a lead role as a workaholic CEO, Connie in the Christmas comedy film '' Holiday Twist'' (2023).

Personal life

In March 2005, Stables married manager Kurt Patino. They have two sons together, born in 2012 and 2015.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Radio

Other credits

Stage

* '' Peter Pan''
* ''Sleeping Beauty''

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stables, Kelly
21st-century American actresses
American film actresses
American musical theatre actresses
American stunt performers
American television actresses
American video game actresses
American voice actresses
Living people
University of Missouri alumni
1978 births