Robyn Elaine Lively Johnson (born February 7, 1972) is an American actress. She is known for her roles in the 1989 films Teen Witch and The Karate Kid Part III, as well as the TV shows Doogie Howser, M.D., Twin Peaks, Savannah, and Saving Grace.

Early life Robyn Elaine Lively was born on February 7, 1972, to talent manager Elaine Lively () and her first husband Ronald Otis Lively. Her older siblings are Lori and Jason Lively.

Following her divorce from Ronald, Elaine married acting coach Ernie Lively () in 1979. Robyn was later adopted by Ernie, who is the father of her younger half siblings, Eric and Blake Lively. Her mother, adoptive father, and all four siblings are or have been in the entertainment industry.

Career Lively began her career as a child actress: at age six, she made her screen debut in the television movie Summer of My German Soldier in 1978. Throughout the 1980s, Lively appeared in several television shows including Silver Spoons, Punky Brewster and Starman. She appeared in the feature films Wildcats, The Karate Kid Part III, Teen Witch, and Not Quite Human.

After being cast as Jessica Andrews in The Karate Kid Part III in 1989, producers were forced to modify Lively's role of protagonist Daniel LaRusso's new love interest because she was only 16 at the time of filming and still a minor while Ralph Macchio was 27 (although his character Daniel is 17). This situation caused romantic scenes between Jessica and Daniel to be rewritten so that the pair only developed a close friendship. In 2022, Lively reprised her role as Jessica Andrews in the fifth season of Cobra Kai, where it is revealed that Daniel is married to her cousin, Amanda.

At age 19, Lively was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance as an insecure teen in the 1991 ABC Afterschool Special episode "Less Than Perfect Daughter". In the 1990s, Lively had recurring roles on Twin Peaks, Doogie Howser, M.D., and Chicago Hope. In 1996, she appeared as Lane McKenzie, one of three lead characters in the short-lived WB drama Savannah.

In 2003, Lively played NCIS Special Agent Vivian Blackadder in the JAG episodes "Ice Queen" and "Meltdown" (the backdoor pilot for NCIS). Five years later, Lively appeared alongside Holly Hunter in an episode of Saving Grace and also had a role in Cold Case. In 2010, she appeared alongside Twin Peaks costars in the Dual Spires episode of Psych and starred in the TV series Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street for Amazon Studios as Gortimer Gibbon's mother, Claire.

In 2020, Lively starred in the thriller Through the Glass Darkly which premiered at the Frameline Film Festival on September 19, 2020. She appeared in the 2024 romantic drama film, It Ends with Us as Ms. Byland. The film starred and was produced by her sister, Blake.

Personal life

Lively married fellow actor Bart Johnson on September 25, 1999. They have three children: Baylen, Kate, and Wyatt Blake.

Filmography

Film YearTitleRoleNotes1986JakiWildcatsAlice Needham1988Buckeye and BlueBuckeye Thatcher1989The Karate Kid Part IIIJessica AndrewsTeen WitchLouise Miller1995Dream a Little Dream 2Rachel Holfield2006Simon SaysLeanne20077-10 SplitDiane BurkeA Dance for BethanyAbbey2008Nancy StratemeyerUncreditedMurder.ComLauren2010Letters to GodMaddy Doherty2011SironiaBarbaraBrother's KeeperMacaire Leemaster2014OuijaMrs. Galardi2015Chasing GhostsLydia Simmons2017Small Town CrimeDeborah Nevile2020Through the Glass DarklyCharlie2023National AnthemFionaBest ClownsDonna2024Someone Like YouDr. Jenny AllenGanymedeFloy FletcherIt Ends with UsMs. Byland

Television Year Title Role Notes1978Summer of My German SoldierSharon BergenTV movie 1983 BooneAmandaEpisode: "Words and Music"1984Knight RiderBecky PhillipsEpisode: "Race for Life"Punky BrewsterLisaEpisodes: "Punky Finds a Home: Part 2", "… Part 3"1985Tracy2 episodes1986FuzzbucketStevie GerberTV movieSilver SpoonsTammyEpisode: "The Beach House"StarmanBeth McGovernEpisode: "Like Father, Like Son"Amazing StoriesKateEpisode: "Welcome to My Nightmare"1987Not Quite HumanBecky CarsonTV movie1988Reggie DominoEpisode: "1.1"198921 Jump StreetHelen AckerlyEpisode: "Mike's P.O.V."Not Quite Human IIBecky CarsonTV movie1990Teen Angel ReturnsCindyMain cast (as Robyn Elaine Lively)Parker Lewis Can't LoseTracy Lee SummersEpisode: "G.A.G. Dance"1990–91Twin PeaksLana Budding MilfordRecurring role (season 2)1991ABC Afterschool SpecialMelissa HarmonEpisode: "The Less Than Perfect Daughter"Crazy from the HeartFranny PeytonTV movie1991–93Doogie Howser, M.D.Nurse Michele FarberRecurring role (seasons 2, 4)1992In Sickness and in HealthHollyTV movieFreshman DormMolly FlynnMain cast1993Quantum LeapAnnie WilkinsEpisode: "Dr. Ruth"Nancy StratemeyerEpisode: "Princeton, February 1916"Precious VictimsWendy McBrideTV movieAgainst the GrainJill ClemonsRecurring role1994–95Chicago HopeNurse Maggie Atkisson8 episodes1996The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Travels with FatherNancy StratemeyerTV movie1996–97SavannahLane McKenzie CollinsMain cast1997Early EditionJenny SloaneEpisode: "Jenny Sloane"1997–98George and LeoCasey Wagonman #2Main cast replacement 1998 Love Boat: The Next Wave Penelope Michaels Episode: "How Long Has This Been Going On?"1999The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Spring Break AdventureNancy StratemeyerTV movie (episode ""Princeton, February 1916" with new connecting segment)Angela SchiffEpisode: "Field Trip"Sam Churchill: Search for a Homeless ManLaura AndersTV movie2000Chicken Soup for the SoulSophie CallowayEpisode: "Thinking of You/Mama's Soup Pot/The Letter"Santa Who?Claire DreyerTV movie2002JodiEpisode: "The Greenhouse Effect"Another Pretty FaceAndrea 'Andie' ChaseTV movie2003Crossing JordanConnieEpisode: "Pandora's Trunk: Part 1"JAGNCIS Special Agent Vivian Blackadder2-part episode: "Ice Queen" / "Meltdown"ErinEpisode: "A Speedy Recovery"American DreamsSister Grace2 episodes2004Strong MedicineConnieEpisode: "Positive Results"2005Mystery Woman: SnapshotMadelineTV movieCSI: NYSarah MyersEpisode: "Manhattan Manhunt"2006Nip/TuckMiss HudsonEpisode: "Willy Ward"2007Johnny Kapahala: Back on BoardCarlaTV movieCold CaseMiriam GundenEpisode: "Running Around"Saving GraceDarlene DeweyEpisode: "And You Wonder Why I Lie"2008Criminal MindsAbby CorbinEpisode: "Paradise"30 RockKelsey WinthropEpisode: "Reunion"Saving GraceDarlene Dewey2 episodes2009Alligator PointGinaTV movie2010Sadie HarringtonEpisode: "Red All Over"PsychMichelle BarkerEpisode: "Dual Spires"2011Who Is Simon Miller?Meredith MillerTV movie2012LongmireConnie MalleryEpisode: "A Good Death is Hard to Find"2013It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaKerryEpisode: "Gun Fever Too: Still Hot"2014Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal StreetClaire GibbonMain cast2018Hawaii Five-0Helen MeechEpisode: "O na hoku o ka lani wale no kai 'ike i kahi o Pae"Code BlackPamela KesslerEpisode: "Home Stays Home"2019Diane MonroeEpisode: "Risk and Reward”Dwight in Shining ArmorLady ErmingardeEpisode: "Dragon"Into the DarkValEpisode: "They Come Knocking"Lauren Episode: #5.2Light as a FeatherDeb Brady Recurring role (season 2)2020The RookieMrs. DaytonEpisode: "Now and Then"All RiseNancy Frost2 episodes2022–20259-1-1: Lone StarMarlene HarrisRecurring role (season 3-5)2022Cobra KaiJessica AndrewsEpisode: "Extreme Measures" 2024LionessSenator Albright2 episodes 2024–present Landman Ellie 5 episodes 2025High Potential Lorraine Sternblatt Episode: "Chasing Ghosts" 2025NCIS: Origins Maxine Randolf Episode: "Happy Birthday"

Video games Year Title Role1993Return to ZorkFairy

Award nominations Year Award Category Nominated workResult1984Young Artist AwardBest Young Actress in a New Television SeriesBoone1985Best Young Actress - Guest in a Television SeriesKnight Rider1987Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress Starring in a Feature Film - Comedy or DramaWildcats1989Best Young Actress Starring in a Motion PictureTeen Witch1991Daytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Performer in a Children's SpecialABC Afterschool Special (Episode: "The Less Than Perfect Daughter")

References

External links

Film Reference: Robyn Lively