1. Early life
Mandy Musgrave's journey into acting began at a young age, with her starting performances at the age of six. Her interest in the performing arts solidified during her time in high school, where she actively participated in theatrical productions. Among her notable high school roles were performances in Anything Goes and The Miracle Worker, which provided her with foundational experience in live theater.
2. Acting career
Mandy Musgrave's acting career is characterized by a steady progression from early television appearances to significant roles in both mainstream and independent productions, often tackling characters that contribute to broader social representation.
2.1. Early career and television debut
After moving to Los Angeles, California, Musgrave quickly found opportunities in television. Within a year of her arrival, she made an appearance on the critically acclaimed crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Her career saw a notable advancement when she secured the role of Chelsea Benson on the popular daytime drama Days of Our Lives, where she was a regular cast member from 2004 to 2005. In 2005, she also appeared in an episode of The King of Queens titled "Hi, School" and in Malcolm in the Middle in the episode "Butterflies." Later that year, she made her debut as Ashley Davies on the teen drama South of Nowhere, a role that would become one of her most recognized.
2.2. Notable roles and major works
Musgrave's role as Ashley Davies in South of Nowhere (2005-2008) marked a significant turning point in her career, establishing her as a main cast member in a series known for its exploration of teenage life and identity. In 2007, she expanded her work into web series, appearing as Misty Monroe in Girltrash!, starring opposite Gabrielle Christian, who was also her love interest in South of Nowhere. Christian played Colby Robson, a college graduate, in Girltrash!. Musgrave and Christian later reprised their roles in the 2014 musical film Girltrash: All Night Long, directed by Angela Robinson.
In 2010, Musgrave took on a guest role in the television series 90210, appearing in three episodes. She portrayed Alexa, an ex-girlfriend of the character Gia, contributing to the show's representation of diverse relationships. More recently, in 2019, Musgrave joined the cast of the long-running soap opera General Hospital as Carol Lockhart, appearing in four episodes.
2.3. Web series and recent projects
Beyond her mainstream television work, Musgrave has actively participated in web series and independent film projects. She starred in Dan's Detour of Life, a webseries comedy written by the producers of That '70s Show, where she played Jessie Ford, a 15-year-old high school student navigating her parents' sudden divorce. Her other web series credits include a recurring role as Trouble in 3 Way (2008), Jackie in the episode "D List" of Rockville CA (2009), and Dakota in the recurring role on Cowgirl Up (2011-2013).
In 2019, Musgrave took on the lead role in the independent short film Mama Bear. Written by Lee Ehlers and directed by her partner, Matt Cohen, the film tells the story of a suburban mother who faces the urgent challenge of securing a liver transplant for her dying son, who has only 24 hours to live. Mama Bear premiered at the HollyShorts Film Festival on August 13, 2019, and was subsequently released to the public on September 1, 2019.
3. Personal life
Mandy Musgrave has two sisters. She maintains close relationships with her former South of Nowhere co-stars, including Gabrielle Christian, Maeve Quinlan, and Matt Cohen. Musgrave and Matt Cohen married in May 2011. The couple welcomed their son in April 2015. Outside of her acting career, Musgrave is known for her active lifestyle, frequently engaging in running. She also enjoys singing karaoke, writing her own poetry, and creating art through painting collages.
4. Filmography
Mandy Musgrave's acting credits span various media, including feature films, short films, television series, and web series, showcasing her diverse range of performances.
4.1. Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Pope Dreams | Virginia Venable | |
| 2009 | 16 to Life | Darby | |
| 2012 | Chutes and Ladders | Teacher #1 | Short film |
| 2013 | Windsor Drive | June | |
| 2014 | Girltrash: All Night Long | Misty Monroe | |
| 2014 | Hard Crime | Ms. Hammer | |
| 2019 | Mama Bear | Mom | Short film |
4.2. Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-2005 | Days of Our Lives | Chelsea Brady | Regular role (195 episodes) |
| 2005 | The King of Queens | Suzie | Episode: "Hi, School" |
| 2005 | Malcolm in the Middle | Wendy | Episode: "Butterflies" |
| 2005 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Jackie Ryan | Episode: "4x4" |
| 2005-2008 | South of Nowhere | Ashley Davies | Main cast |
| 2008 | Dan's Detour of Life | Jessie Ford | TV movie |
| 2009 | Eli Stone | Tessa | Episode: "Tailspin" |
| 2010 | The Middle | Kate | Episodes: "The Neighbor", "The Jeans" |
| 2010 | 90210 | Alexa | 3 episodes |
| 2019 | General Hospital | Carol Lockhart | 4 episodes |
4.3. Web
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2009 | Girltrash! | Misty Monroe | Recurring role |
| 2008 | 3 Way | Trouble | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Rockville CA | Jackie | Episode: "D List" |
| 2011-2013 | Cowgirl Up | Dakota | Recurring role |
5. Awards and nominations
Mandy Musgrave has received recognition for her acting work, particularly for her role in South of Nowhere.
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1st Annual Wave Awards, Academy of Wireless Arts, Video and Entertainment | Favorite Mobile Dramatic Artist, "South of Nowhere" | - |