Melissa Jo Peltier
Melissa Jo Peltier | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Pomona College |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, author, director |
| Years active | 1992 - Present |
| Spouse | John Gray |
| Website | melissajopeltier |
Melissa Jo Peltier is a New York-based American producer and author widely known for producing, writing and directing the 1994 A&E documentary mini-series Titanic: Death of a Dream and Titanic: The Legend Lives On, the show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan and for co-authoring five books with Millan. In 2013, she published her first novel, entitled Reality Boulevard.
Peltier has won two Emmy awards for her work and received the Humanitas Prize in 1993 for the documentary Scared Silent: Exposing and Ending Child Abuse.
Background and career
Peltier was born and raised in New England, graduating cum laude from Pomona College in Claremont.[1]
She directed and co-wrote the primetime documentary special, Scared Silent: Exposing and Ending Child Abuse, hosted by Oprah Winfrey, released in 1992. The documentary earned her a Humanitas Prize. Later, she directed and wrote the Breaking the Silence: Kids Against Child Abuse, which won a Peabody Award in 1995. In 1994, she was producer, director and writer of A&E’s four-hour miseries, Titanic: Death of a Dream and Titanic: The Legend Lives On. Peltier received an award for this documentary for outstanding documentary writing.[2]
In 1996, Peltier co-founded MPH Entertainment with two other business partners. She executive-produced the TV show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan (2004-2012).[3] She also wrote and directed multiple episodes for the series.[1]
In 2010, she produced the movie White Irish Drinkers, which was directed by her husband.[4]
Books
Peltier has co-authored, with Cesar Millan, five books[5] all of which became New York Times Bestsellers.[6] She also co-authored The Mommy Docs Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth in 2011.
Reality Boulevard
In 2014, Peltier wrote the novel, Reality Boulevard. The story of the novel is based on what happens to a group of idealistic filmmakers after their long running documentary series is cancelled and they are thrust into the assembly line world of reality TV. Kirkus reviews called the novel "a dead-on satire—with a heart—of the reality TV scene from a knowledgeable, witty insider." The book was also name to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2013.[7]
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1992 | Scared Silent: Exposing and Ending Child Abuse | Director, co-writer |
| 1993 | Break the Silence: Kids Against Child Abuse. | Director, writer |
| 1994 | Titanic Death of a Dream & The Legend Lives On | Producer, director and writer |
| 1996 | The Real Las Vegas | Executive producer, writer |
| 1998 | Eco-Challenge Australia | Executive producer |
| 1998 | Lusitania: Murder on the Atlantic | Producer, writer |
| 1999 | The History of Sex | Executive producer, writer |
| 2000 | Founding Fathers | Executive producer, writer |
| 2002 | Founding Brothers | Executive producer, writer |
| 2002 | My Big Fat Greek Wedding | Co-executive producer |
| 2003 | Nightwaves | Screenwriter |
| 2004 | The New Roswell: Kecksburg Exposed | Director, writer |
| 2004 - 2012 | Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan | Executive producer, writer and segment director |
| 2010 | White Irish Drinkers | Producer |
Personal life
Peltier is married to John Gray, who is a screenwriter, director and producer.[8]
Bibliography
- Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems co-authored with Cesar Millan. (2007). ISBN 978-0-307-33797-9
- Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog . . . and Your Life co-authored with Cesar Millan. (2007). ISBN 978-0-307-38167-5
- A Member of the Family: Cesar Millan's Guide to a Lifetime of Fulfillment with Your Dog co-authored with Cesar Millan. (2008). ISBN 978-0-307-40891-4
- How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond co-authored with Cesar Millan. (2009). ISBN 978-0-307-46129-2
- Cesar's Rules: Your Way to Train a Well-Behaved Dog co-authored with Cesar Millan. (2010). ISBN 978-0-307-71686-6
- The Mommy Docs' Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth co-authored with Yvonne Bohn, Allison Hill, Alane Park. (2011). ISBN 978-0738214603
- Reality Boulevard. (2013). ISBN 978-1910167540
Awards and honors
- Women in Film Award - 1991
- Humanitas Prize for Scared Silent: Exposing and Ending Child Abuse - 1993[9]
- Emmy Award for Outstanding writing for Titanic: Death of a Dream - 1995
References
- ^ a b "Reality Boulevard by Melissa Jo Peltier". Female First. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "Exclusive: Emmy Winner Melissa Jo Peltier on Her Novel Reality Boulevard". Reel Life With Jane. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "Lots of Shouting About the 'Dog Whisperer'". Court House News. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "Deneuve, Tart Humor Elevate 'Potiche'". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "Good Dog, Bad Dog". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "PAPERBACK ADVICE & MISC". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "REALITY BOULEVARD: A NOVEL". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "Going Really Indie, With His Own Cash". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS". The Humanitas Prize. Retrieved 19 April 2015.