Actress and singer Lisa Hartman Black became famous as the leading character in the fantasy sitcom Tabitha (1977–1978) and the drama Knots Landing (1982–1986). She captured the hearts of millions of fans across the world with her beauty, impeccable acting skills and pleasant voice. Houston-trend will tell you more details about the journey of the well-known Houstonian.
SINGING CAREER
Lisa was born on June 1, 1956, in Houston. She began her professional singing career in 1976 when she released her first studio album “Lisa Hartman,” followed by “Hold On (1979),” “Letterock (1983)” and “‘Til My Heart Stops (1987).” Despite collaborations with good songwriters and producers, these albums did not achieve commercial success.
Performing the song “If Love Must Go” (1982) on various TV shows made it very popular. The song “When I Said I Do” performed by Hartman and her husband Clint Black in 1999, topped the American chart Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
In April 2011, her albums “Lisa Hartman,” “Hold On” and “Letterock” were released on CD with bonus tracks by Wounded Bird Records under license from Sony. “‘Til My Heart Stops” was also reissued on CD in 2008.
FILM ACTIVITY
Hartman started her acting career with a few appearances on TV before starring in Tabitha. It is a fantasy sitcom and spin-off of the series Bewitched. Her heroine, the young witch Tabitha, was a producer’s assistant at a telecasting station. The daughter of the witch, Samantha Stephens, strived to build a career but was frequently confronted with supernatural phenomena.
The actress was on the 1979 WLS-TV special program “You’re Never Too Old”. In 1981, Hartman appeared in the TV adaptation of American writer Jacqueline Susann’s novel Valley of the Dolls. The book was published in 1996 and became the best-seller of the year.
In 1981, Lisa starred in the role of villain Faith Stohler in Deadly Blessing. This horror movie is a type of slasher that focuses on showing serial or mass murders using cold arms or power tools. Deadly Blessing tells the story of killings in a modern community situated close to another settlement where people believe in ancient evil and curses.
In 1982, Lisa joined the cast of Knots Landing, a soap opera aired from 1979 to 1993. She played a key character in the show’s fourth season, singer Ciji Dunne. The end of the season marked the death of her heroine, prompting an investigation of the mysterious crime. The audience was very upset that Lisa left the show, as Ciji was a popular character. So, the actress later joined the series again as Cathy Geary, who pretended to be the deceased Ciji. Cathy became one of the protagonists of the series for several seasons, thus increasing Hartman’s popularity. The actress eventually departed from the cast after the seventh season ended in 1986. At that point, the screenwriters ran out of ideas for her role.
In 1984, the Houstonian played one of the central characters, Jennie Cooper, in Where the Boys Are ’84. It was a remake of the 1960 film of the same name. The plot revolves around four students going on vacation in Florida, where they meet boys and have other adventures. A college student, Jennie Cooper, is being courted by a classical pianist and a free-spirited rock musician. Lisa sang the song “Where the Boys Are” for the movie’s soundtrack.
Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, the actress could be seen in movies from time to time. For example, she starred in the drama Roses Are for the Rich (1987). She played the daughter of a miner who plotted revenge on a businessman whose negligence led to the death of her relatives.
In 1992, Hartman landed the lead part in the soap opera 2000 Malibu Road. She played former prostitute Jade O’Keefe, who moved into a beach house with three other women. All of them wanted to change their lives. Only six episodes came out because producers could not agree on licensing fees. Its ratings were quite poor. At that time, another soap opera, Melrose Place, was being broadcast.
In 2005, Hartman starred in the film Back to You and Me. In May 2012, she portrayed Lindy Jenkins in Flicka: Country Pride, the mother of amateur equestrian Kelly. According to the plot, Toby (played by Hartman’s husband, Clint Black) comes to the farm to work as a manager for a family experiencing financial and emotional stress. A horse lover, Kelly lives on a ranch with her mother, Lindy. After her father died in an accident, the stables hardly made any profit.
In 2020, Hartman and her husband appeared on the fourth season of The Masked Singer, a reality singing competition show. The actors competed as a duet for seven episodes before they dropped out of the contest. Furthermore, in 2021, the couple was on Clint Black’s show Talking in Circles with Clint Black.
The actress also tried her hand as a TV presenter. In the summer of 1994, she hosted a special edition of Universal Studios Summer Blast, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the film company Universal Studios.
PERSONAL LIFE
In 1991, the actress married Clint Black, a country singer, songwriter, actor and producer. Their daughter, Lily Pearl Black, was born in 2001.
Black’s debut album “Killin’ Time” (1989) featured four hit songs. Although the musician’s popularity gradually declined in the 1990s, Black still continued to produce hits in the 2000s. He recorded over 30 singles that made it onto the American Billboard charts, 22 of which reached the top. Clint also released 12 studio albums and several compilation albums. In 1993, he made his acting debut, appearing in an episode of the sitcom Wings. Black founded his own record label, Equity Music Group, in 2003.
A FEW INTERESTING FACTS
- Even though Hartman earned good money with her music releases, her work in soap operas made her even more famous and significantly increased her wealth. In 2022, Hartman’s net worth was over $5 million.
- The celebrity is a philanthropist. Hartman devoted a good deal of time and effort to supporting charitable organizations and changing the lives of others for the better.
- Hartman’s talent goes beyond the screen and music. Lisa also took a foray on stage and impressed audiences with her wonderful performances in various theatrical productions.
- The actress’s acting was acclaimed by critics. Experts often praised her performances, thus cementing the respect for the Houstonian’s talent.
- She was part of the fashion industry. Lisa collaborated with well-known designers and demonstrated her style and elegance.
- The art of the actress is not limited to one generation. People of all ages love Hartman Black’s artistry thanks to her timeless appeal and outstanding gift. That is what makes her a favorite figure for many generations.
- The celebrity often popularized and supported the arts. Realizing the importance of creativity, she promoted different initiatives and organizations that helped people to express themselves artistically.
