Early Life and Education
San Diego-born Margo Cathleen Harshman was born on March 4, 1986. As the fourth of five siblings, she lived with two elder sisters, an older brother, and a younger brother in a busy family. She was raised in La Costa, San Diego, until her family moved to Orange County aged 12. This started her schooling at Hewes Middle School and Foothill High School.
Young Harshman showed talent for performing arts. She started entering beauty pageants aged two. She studied dancing, gymnastics, piano, and acting by age 8. These subjects prepared her for an entertainment profession. Her commitment to training helped her to easily segue from a childhood hobby to professional acting.
The following describes Margo Harshman’s childhood and education:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | March 4, 1986 |
| Place of Birth | San Diego, California |
| Siblings | Two older sisters, one older brother, one younger brother |
| Education | Hewes Middle School, Foothill High School |
| Early Training | Beauty pageants, dance, gymnastics, piano, acting |
Career Highlights
Margo Harshman began her acting career on television, where she became famous for her roles. The 2000 Disney Channel show “Even Stevens,” where she played Tawny Dean, was her breakthrough. Shia LaBeouf played Louis Stevens’ best friend and later girlfriend. She reprised her role in “The Even Stevens Movie,” after this famous series ended in 2003.
The roles in “Run of the House” (2003–2004) and “Center of the Universe” (2004) helped Harshman expand her television career. She played Sheldon’s assistant Alex Jensen on “The Big Bang Theory” from 2012 to 2013. She also plays Delilah Fielding-McGee in “NCIS” since 2013.
Following her 1997 debut in “The Elf Who Didn’t Believe,” she appeared in “College Road Trip” (2008), “Keith” (2008), and “Sorority Row” (2009). Harshman has received Young Artist Award nominations and won the ShoWest “Female Stars of Tomorrow” award in 2009 with “Sorority Row.”
The highlights of Margo Harshman’s career:
| Medium | Notable Works |
|---|---|
| Television | Even Stevens, Run of the House, Center of the Universe, The Big Bang Theory, NCIS |
| Film | The Elf Who Didn’t Believe, College Road Trip, Keith, Sorority Row |
| Awards | Young Artist Award nominations, ShoWest “Female Stars of Tomorrow” |
Family and Personal Life
Family is important to Margo Harshman. Her parents, David James Harshman and Janelle Louise Harshman, helped her mature. Her mother battled breast cancer for 20 years before dying in 2014. Harshman’s life was changed by her mother’s death.
As for dating, Harshman dated Shia LaBeouf from “Even Stevens”. In 2017, she married Austin Hooks, but filed for divorce in November 2018. Harshman has maintained relationships to her extended family, including professional baseball player Jack and basketball coach Marv, throughout her own development.
A summary of Margo Harshman’s family and personal life follows:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parents | David James Harshman, Janelle Louise Harshman |
| Siblings | Two older sisters, one older brother, one younger brother |
| Romantic Relationships | Dated Shia LaBeouf, married Austin Hooks |
| Notable Family Connections | Jack Harshman (baseball), Marv Harshman (basketball) |
FAQ
Which Margo Harshman TV role is most notable?
Margo Harshman is best remembered for playing Tawny Dean in “Even Stevens.”
Is Margo Harshman an award-winning actress?
She and the “Sorority Row” cast earned the 2009 ShoWest “Female Stars of Tomorrow” award.
Family history of Margo Harshman?
Baseball player Jack Harshman and basketball coach Marv Harshman are her relatives.
Was Margo Harshman educated after high school?
No information is available about her education beyond Foothill High.
Does Margo Harshman have any new projects?
Social media has hinted at her participation in “Betas” pilots.
