Here's a milestone that might remind you of your own mortality: Jennifer Love Hewitt shot to fame on Fox drama 'Party of Five'. . . (dramatic pause). . . almost twenty years ago.
We know! It seems like just yesterday that JLH was TV's new It Girl, gracing magazine covers with then-boyfriend Carson Daly, even cracking the pop charts as a singer.
Her attempt at grown-up movie stardom never really took off, though, beyond the 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' and 'Garfield' films. Unbowed, she re-devoted herself to television long before it became an acceptable landing place for other big-screen refugees.
It was a shrewd choice that paid off: Hewitt has now been rewarded with a regular role on a CBS procedural - 'Criminal Minds,' on which she debuts Wednesday night - the closest thing to a steady paycheck in Hollywood. Here's a look back and and step-by-step guide to how she won the TV industry lottery:
Step 1: Make your mark on a red-hot teen show (1995 to 2000)
With her role as Sarah on the low-rated but cult favorite 'Party of Five,' Hewitt (16 when she joined the cast) became a brand name for a savvy young audience, making her a go-to pick for guest spots other shows: Her appearance on 'Boy Meets World' as Jennifer Love Fefferman is still one of the show's classic episodes.
Step 2: Attempt a spin-off (1999)
'Time of Your Life' - where Sarah moves to New York - flamed out quickly but nonetheless established her as the break-out star from Pof5.
Step 3: Try the pop-princess route (1999-2002)
'How Do I Deal', 'BareNaked'. . . not ringing a bell? So, they didn't become pop standards but they got radio play at the turn of the century - and during a relatively quiet moment in her acting career, the videos kept one of Hollywood's most fetching physiques in the public eye. See also her cameos in the LFO ( 'Girl on TV') and Enrique Iglesias ( 'Hero') music videos.
Step 4: A shot at the big leagues (circa 1997-2002)
She headlined a series of teen-centric movies ('I Know What You Did Last Summer,' 'Can't Hardly Wait,' 'Heartbreakers'), but none led to serious grown-up roles or lasting stardom.Time to retrench! Step 5: Date strategically.
Throughout her career, JLH stayed in the magazines by dating a list of eligible Hollywood bachelors: Joey Lawrence, Patrick Wilson, Jamie Kennedy, John Mayer (supposedly inspiring his hit 'Your Body is a Wonderland.') She finally settled down last year with actor Brian Hallisay and after a much-chronicled pregnancy, gave birth to her daughter, Autumn.
Step 5: Return to the small screen (2005 to 2010)
Network TV was happy to have her back, and 'The Ghost Whisperer' - she starred as the antiques dealer who can communicate with the dead - was a surprise long-running hit for CBS, even when relegated to Friday nights.
Step 6: Go for controversy with an edgy cable drama (2012 to 2013)
Nothing gets buzz like a role as a lingerie-wearing masseuse who goes 'the extra mile' to please her male clients. 'The Client List,' based loosely on a real-life Texas massage parlor/bordello, did well for the Lifetime network - and hey, if viewers were tuning in for nothing more titillation, that was hardly a problem. The drama only lasted two seasons, however, reportedly canceled after Lifetime balked when Hewitt, an executive producer, tried to get a bigger role for Hallisay, then her co-star and fiance.
Step 7: Step up to a (hopefully) long-running role on a blue-chip procedural. (2014)
'Criminal Minds' is an aging show in its 10th season, but no matter. CBS signed Hewitt amid much hype to star as Kate Callahan, a top agent joining the FBI's Behavior Analysis Unit to help crack all kinds of gory cases - starting with tonight's season-premiere killer, a California maniac who leaves his victims unrecognizable.
Post By http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/10/01/jennifer-love-hewitt-on-criminal-minds-a-long-winding-path-to-lasting-tv-stardom/
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