They even figured out that Cameron Mathison, lately on GAF, was going to reprise his role as . "I love being a mom, and I love everything that we do," she gushed. "Celebrating 22 years tonight!! Her height is around 5 feet 5 inches. Alison Sweeney. She has two brothers. . Hallmark's Lacey Chabert, Alison Sweeney and Autumn Reeser on Their Bond, 'The Wedding Veil ' Trilogy The Hallmark stars open up about their joy in sharing the screen (and three movies). March 1, 2023. Alison, who came to prominence on the soap opera "Days of Our Lives," disclosed one of the . Beginning on October 13, 2017, Sweeney reprised her long-term role as Sami Brady on Days of Our Lives, over 24 years after her first appearance as a teenaged Sami Brady. It wasn't until 2011 that she showed her agent and he loved it. Alison Sweeney's real-life meet-cute reads like a Hallmark script. As for her siblings, she has two brothers. Sydney belongs to the Scottish-Irish ethnicity. The actor met husband David Sanov when they were kids. Similarly, she also acted in many TV films like Second Chances, Murder, She Baked: Just Desserts, and others. The couple got married on July 8, 2000. Quotations by Alison Sweeney, American Actress, Born September 19, 1976. Thats what I really miss about her. Alison Sweeney is an American actress who has a net worth of $9 million. Market data provided by Factset. Then, Alison Sweeney acted in Brand New Life and made her debut in a film, The Price of Life in 1987. Their first child is a son named Benjamin. As Sweeney told Smashing Interviews, her kids and family are everything. Christian music singer Matthew West looks forward to the holiday season as it gives him the opportunity to spend some much-needed quality time with his family. Which isn't to say she stopped her career. After a long wait, Hallmark fans are finally getting a new Hannah Swensen Mysteries movie. Courtsey of Allison Sweeney. In 1988, she appeared on the short-lived ABC sitcom Family Man,[citation needed] and the following year, was cast as Christy McCray on Brand New Life, a miniseries from future X-Files creator Chris Carter that aired within NBC's Magical World of Disney in October 1989. After 21 years on the show, the actress decided to part ways with the . They grew up and went their separate ways, but when she learned of his chosen profession, she knew she needed to act. 9 US. "I'm a traveling musician and . Recently, she is back to reprise her role in the show. She trained in Mixed Martial Arts since high school. Alison Sweeney. The Chew. We might have never heard about David if he hadnt captured the heart of this award-winning actress. Many are wondering if she will replace Lori . Is Richard Simmons Gay and Does He Have a Wife? Murder, She Baked is an American/Canadian television film series, based on the cozy mystery novels written by Joanne Fluke.The television films centered around small-town baker Hannah Swensen, portrayed by Alison Sweeney, and Detective Mike Kingston, played by Cameron Mathison. [13] In 2007, she joined the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon as a co-host for the live television broadcast. Plays Samantha (Sami) Gene Brady on the Soap. [23], On July 9, 2014, it was announced that Sweeney would be joining General Hospital behind the scenes as a director, starting later that month. In 2015, she portrayed Hannah Swensen, a small-town baker with a penchant for solving mysteries in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channels telefilm Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery. Running a marathon was on mine. Sweeney went on to reprise her role in all other Murder, She Baked telefilms: A Plum Pudding Murder Mystery (2015), A Peach Cobbler Mystery (2016), A Deadly Recipe (2016), and Just Desserts (2017). Alison was also a part of the main cast of the ABC sitcom Family man where she played Rosie Tobin. Lol. Every day you read a script and discover some new scheme she would cook up. However, as she told Fox News in 2017, soaps will always be close to her heart. "I'm so proud of these movies," she told MediaVillage. Alison Sweeney was ten or eleven years old when she made her first appearance in the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives in 1987 as a pre-teen Adrienne Johnson. Who is Jada Williams to Mikey Williams, Are They Related? Furthermore, people also know her as the host of The Biggest Loser which is a reality television show. Sweeney followed up her debut with "Scared Scriptless" in 2014 and "Opportunity Knocks" in 2016. This review, according to her, helps keep them on their toes as they look to have a long marriage that would be the envy of many. On January 12, 2009, Sweeney gave birth to their daughter, Megan. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! They dated for around three years before marrying each other. Her big-screen debut occurred in 1990 in Dyan Cannons semi-autobiographical film The End of Innocence. These days, Sweeney is keeping busy acting, all while serving as an executive producer for her Hallmark TV movies, as well as director on both her long-running soap opera and General Hospital. Sweeney insisted she doesnt mind juggling several roles both in front of and behind the camera. In January 1993, she began portraying Sami Brady, a young teenager who quickly gains notoriety for her outlandish troublemaking behaviour. After stints in Family Man (1988) and Brand New Life (1989-1990), Alison Sweeney landed what turned out to be her breakthrough role at the age of 17. When I'm making a wish under a bridge or tunnel, it's always for them. As she told Delish, she starts the day with Greek yogurt or oatmeal, then has salad with chicken for lunch, and protein with veggies for dinner. Alison Sweeney is not having an affair with anyone presently. [5] After making sporadic appearances since then, she returned as a series regular in 2021. After being associated with the show for 22 years, Sweeney left Days of Our Life in 2015. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/alison-sweeney-48051.php, American Female Film & Theater Personalities, 21st Century Film & Theater Personalities, 20th Century Film & Theater Personalities, 20th Century American Film & Theater Personalities, 21st Century American Film & Theater Personalities. So at this point, Sami couldn't even make it back for her mom's death. [22], On January 20, 2014, Sweeney announced on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that after 21 years of being on the air on Days of Our Lives, she was leaving the show, to focus on spending more time with her family, and to work on her other show, The Biggest Loser. The couple celebrated 20 years together in 2020 and Sweeney marked the occasion on Instagram by sharing a sweet snap and an important lesson. That makes her twice as rich as the Queen of Hallmark, Lacey Chabert, who has a $4 million net worth. The actor also completely avoids the snack aisle, instead going for nutrient-packed fruits or veggies, or trail mix. She is working with fellow actresses, Release of her book, "All The Days of My Life (So Far)". Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, Murder She Baked: A Plum Pudding Murder Mystery, Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery, Best Performance in a Daytime Drama: Young Actress, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, "Alison Sweeney reflects on 16 years as Sami and battling a common ailment", "MDA Telethon Raises Record 63.8 Million Dollars", "Celebrities Line Up To Co-Host Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon", "Alison Sweeney Dishes on Her New Book and the Next Season of 'The Biggest Loser', "Days of our Lives' Alison Sweeney's new book Opportunity Knocks", "Alison Sweeney Leaving 'Days of Our Lives', "It's Official: Alison Sweeney Back To Days", "Allison Sweeney Leaving 'Biggest Loser' (Exclusive)", "Alison Sweeney dishes on 'Murder, She Baked' and whether she'll ever return to soap operas", "Alison Sweeney looks to bridge true fan junkies and sceptic alike in her new series 'Chronicle Mysteries', "The 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations", National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, "1st Annual Soap Hub Awards decided by fans honored 'Days of Our Lives,' Steve Burton, Sharon Case and more", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alison_Sweeney&oldid=1136170611, Television film (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries), Television film (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) First in a series, Television film (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) Second in a series, Television film (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) Third in a series, Television film (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) Fourth in a series, Television film (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) Fifth in a series, America's Favorite Villain Special Fan Award, This page was last edited on 29 January 2023, at 02:18. Currently, they live happily sharing joy and love in Los Angeles. But the same year, 1987, became a golden year for her. Alison Sweeney. Alison and David Sanov's wedding was a private ceremony on 8 July 2000. She has two children. Alison Sweeney On How A Magical Christmas Village And Days Of Our Lives Impact Her - Exclusive Noam Galai/Getty Images By Xandra Harbet/Dec. Sami was crazy, wonderful and such a great adventure for me, said Sweeney. They are St. Alison Sweeney is an American actress, reality show host, director, and author who shot to fame after her portrayal of Samantha Sami Brady on the TV show Days of Our Lives (1987, 19932015, 2017Present) that fetched her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination, 4 Soap Opera Digest Awards, and also a Fan Voted Daytime Emmy Award. While she has blonde hair, she has blue eyes. Another draw is the good they can do. Jan 23 Which one was your favorite wedding dress? As of 2022, her net worth is estimated to be around $9 million. Sharing some of her best-kept secrets, she revealed she can speak Spanish, loves to create a playlist, hits the grocery store when she needs a cool down, and knows "The Princess Bride" script verbatim. In 1985, she guest-starred in the ABC sitcom Webster and the NBC medical-drama series St. 290 Alison Sweeney Family Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Editorial Video Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 290 Alison Sweeney Family Premium High Res Photos Browse 290 alison sweeney family stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. She followed that up with 2010's "The Mommy Diet," a self-help book packed with motherhood lessons and tips to teach women how to put themselves first, even while juggling a family, career, and more. Alison Sweeney was introduced to a new audience when she hosted "The Biggest Loser" for a whopping 16 seasons. It tends to appear on the head or neck and can take the form of a scaly patch, a lesion that looks like a dark spot, or a translucent bump. She has been on a marital bond for a long time. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She enrolled in UCLA with Economics as her subject but she discontinued in order to pursue her acting career. In interviews conducted with him and his wife, the two stated that they evaluate each other and their relationship every year. They would not allow their young daughter to become tabloid fodder. He matriculated from Oakwood High School in 1990. As of September 2021, she is 45 years old. She was born in Los Angeles, California, in the United States. However, she made her return to the show in 2017. The actress stands at the height of 5ft 3in/1.6 meters. Sweeney elaborated on how great their impact really was, telling Fox News, "My parents are super grounded and normal and real and tough and strict I was never left out on my own to figure that out." Meanwhile, in 2018, Cameron Mathison began co-hosting Hallmark's own Home & Family, along with Debbie Matenopoulos. "We leave it on even when it's not cold out," she revealed. After leaving the show, Sweeney became a Hallmark fixture while also exploring other creative outlets, like directing and producing. On September 19, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, Alison Sweeney was born to her parents, Polly and Stender Sweeney. David can be seen next to his wife at many glamorous events held in Hollywood, such as 5th Endeavor Awards. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. [17][18], In 2007, Sweeney took over hosting duties on The Biggest Loser, replacing Caroline Rhea since the fourth season. But who is the man behind the actress? Time will tell if she would ever have a career on TV. She has revealed that she has saved her dreams and hopes for her children and when she has made a wish under a bridge or tunnel, it has always been for them. [24] On April 26, 2015, Sweeney announced that she will be returning to Days of Our Lives to be part of the show's 50th anniversary celebrations.[25]. Every morning, she first does push-ups with the baby lying under herletting her long mane dangle over him. Previously, she appeared in a Kodak advertisement. She grew up with her two brothers, Ryan and Sten. Sweeney also had important roles in the ABC sitcom Family Man and the NBC comedy-drama series Brand New Life. She also hosted reality TV show The Biggest Loser from 2006 until 2015. Alison Sweeney is happy to return to her fan-favorite Days of Our Lives character Sami Brady as often as possible. Where Is Richard Simmons Now, What Happened To Him and Is He Still Alive? She does not want herself in the eye of the controversial storm. The major notable award she has won for her performance in the role is the Americas Favorite Villain Special Fan Award at the 2002 Daytime Emmy Awards. Days of Our Lives (1993-2015)as Sami Brady / Samantha Brady / Samantha Hernandez /, The Biggest Loser (2006-2015)as Herself - Host, Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery (2015)as Hannah Swensen. Elsewhere, Webster, and Tales from the Darkside. All three children were raised by their parents. Sweeney's parents guided her around the pitfalls that often drag down child actors into a life of misery. The budding actress would go on to make a few more guest appearances in different episodes of other TV shows before landing her first job on the long-running Days of Our Lives soap opera. Age, Height, and Weight Being born on 19 September 1976, Alison Sweeney is 46 years old as of today's date 28th February 2023. When Sweeney fell in love with Joanne Fluke's "Hannah Swensen Mysteries" book series, she acquired the global TV rights to turn the books into movies, per Forbes. Alison Ann Sweeney, an American actress who was born on 19th September 1976 and established her career in acting line. It is also believed that their parents were family friends. And that's a problem. Alison is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Twitter. Sweeney talked more about the process on "The EllenDeGeneresShow," revealing that the ritual started at the beginning of their marriage. Discipline and worth ethic were always instilled in me as a kid, she explained. As Sweeney told Publishers Weekly, she wrote it strictly for herself in 2005 (without using a ghostwriter) at a point when she'd hit a wall a the "Days of Our Lives" storyline. 2018. Her family is of Irish descent. He obtained his degree from the University of California, Irvine. While Alison is an actress, director and host, David has a career as a California highway patrol officer. She also eats healthy. In the end, it's about balance. Opening up to Working Mother (via PopSugar) in 2010, she shared how her weight journey had its ups and downs. He has a sister Megan who is just four years younger than him. His father and Alison's mother have played Violin for feature films together. In 1984, she starred in an episode of the CBS series Simon & Simon. Rather, they guided her in the right direction and now, she's imparting that same parenting tactic on her own kids. In addition to swimming and kick-boxing, which her TV-sister. We kind of give each other a job evaluation, which sounds a little embarrassing. All rights reserved. parents, schools, kids - all of us. She toldRunner's World in 2013 that she gravitated toward running when she was in high school, but she didn't have much time to pursue it as an extracurricular because of the whole acting thing. Home & Family. At the same time, she also built an impressive personal life with one of the few celeb spouses who work a regular job. She wearing to be a shoe size is 8 US. Sweeney's television debut was at age five in a Kodak advertisement. David and Alison started their romantic relationship in the late 90s. Alison has stated how many of her firsts were done onscreen because of her budding, Sweeney has penned her own book about her weight loss named. She is an actress and producer, known for Days of Our Lives (1965), Murder, She Baked (2015) and Open by Christmas (2021). That was always fun.. Questions started popping out, such as, who he is, what he does and so on. Press Esc to cancel. Elsewhere. However, she eventually had to drop out due to her busy schedule as a star of the series Days of Our Lives. "My husband and I are a united front," Sweeney told Good Housekeeping. She documented all the tabloid talk and personal anguish in her 2004 memoir, All The Days of My Life (So Far). A post shared by Ali Sweeney (@alisweeney) . She is best known of her role in Days of our Lives and was the host of TV show The Biggest Loser. "I have high standards," she quipped. or redistributed. "I love this character because she is definitely willing to do anything to get what she wants," she enthused before stressing that this was a one-off. They kicked off the year with Family History Mysteries with Janel Parrish and Niall Matter. Full born name: Alison Jane Sweeney Nicknames: Alison Occupation: Actress, Author, Director Date of birth: September 19, 1976 Birthplace: Los Angeles, USA Education: UCLA, Los Angeles, California Zodiac sign: Aquarius Father name: Stender Sweeney Mother name: Polly Sweeney Siblings' name: Ryan Sweeney, Sten Sweeney Alison Sweeney is an Actress, director, producer, and author. Carrot Cake: A Hannah Swensen Mystery is currently filming, as noted above, so stay tuned to see when itll pop up in the 2023 TV schedule. She . A post shared by Ali Sweeney (@alisweeney). Just dress) #sami #flashback Quote Tweet Dress Size. Her body measurement is 39-25-36 inches. I feel like Norman would have liked that pun. Age, Parents, and Ethnicity of Alison Sweeney Alison Sweeney was born Alison Ann Sweeney on September 19, 1976. There is not much information about David, but few facts about him and his life are made available to the wider public. And not only is the project set in stone(baked), but it will see her once again paired up with Murder, She Baked co-star Cameron Mathison. Sweeney also directed seven episodes of Days of Our Lives between 2011 and 2015, and two episodes of the ABC soap opera General Hospital between 2014 and 2015. Here's a shot from Alison Sweeney's Instagram Stories, in which she noted she was indeed filming a Hallmark movie, with the snowy setting making it look suspiciously like one of the channel's signature holiday offerings. Alison Sweeney doesn't just love acting, she also loves working behind the camera. "Having two kids of my own, I am one of millions of women facing the challenge of balancing motherhood with a career, not to mention trying to find time for ourselves," she explained, per Entertainment Weekly. With reality TV, sometimes it's amazing chemistry and you get these gems that turn out to be everything you hoped, and the camera loves them and they just blossom on the show. Alison's great-grandfather Joseph was the son of Irish parents, Bernard Sweeney and Jane McCauley. Height, Weight, Age, Facts, Biography, Jazzy Skye Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Kade Skye Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics. She is mother of Two (Megan and Benjamin). "My process was very much like an actor's: I wrote scene studies and character breakdowns," she shared. In 1984, she appeared in a season-three episode of the CBS detective television series Simon & Simon, portraying a character named Lyla. . Daughter Megan Hope followed in 2009. Other than her work on Days of Our Lives, Alison has appeared in various Hallmark productions. In 2019, she played a podcast host turned mystery solver in the three Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channels The Chronicle Mysteries telefilms, Recovered, The Wrong Man, and Vines That Bind. David Sanov, Alison Sweeney's husband, was the actress's childhood friend and her longtime crush. The 49-year-old David Sanov walked down the aisle with actress Alison Sweeney on July 8, 2000, after dating for nearly three years. My parents took me up when I was 4 years old.". Alison admitted that she had a crush on David from when they were children, and they subsequently dated for nearly three years before deciding to tie the knot, on the 8th July 2000. They have been together as a husband and a wife since July 8, 2000. Sweeney credited her parents for keeping her out of trouble while enjoying fame and fortune as a child actress. Were at a point in pop culture that mildly mirrors the Golden Era Hollywood contract system, with certain celebs known for their TV movies aligning with specific networks, with Hallmark and Great American Family as the more clear rivals. Without her mother's assistance, the couple would not have been together for 20 years. The project is currently going by the name Carrot Cake: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, according to Entertainment Tonight, and will obviously also feature Cameron Mathison returning to the smooth-as-butter . Her mothers name is Polly Sweeney, and her fathers name is Stender Sweeney. In all, Sweeney has taken home eight awards from thirteen nominations for her performance on the show. According to Celebrity Net Worth, her "The Biggest Loser" salary alone was $45,000 per episode. Sweeney reprised her role in 2021 for Peacock's "Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas" special, telling People she simply couldn't resist because of her connection to Sami. She was born as a middle child among three children. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Five films for the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel were created based on Fluke's book series, with the fifth . Alison Sweeney was born in Los Angeles, California, to her American parents, Polly Sweeney (mother) and Stender Sweeney (father). The biggest nuptials issue they should have to worry about is a deflated wedding cake, and we know thats not happening. Their son, Benjamin Edward Sanov, was born on 25th February 2005. Then, she joined the University of California in Los Angeles to study economics. "We talk about our three favorite things about the other person and then three things that we could work on," she elaborated. Add to that her earnings from a two-decade run on "Days of Our Lives" (which reportedly pays recurring cast member $1,500 to $3,000 per episode and up to $5,000 per episode to its biggest stars), as well as her best-selling books, and her net worth lands at a cool $9 million. Keeping their conversation balanced, they share both the good and the bad. Sweeney was passionate about acting since an early age. Alison Sweeney is currently 46 according to her birthdate September 19, 1976 Sun Sign Virgo Born Place Los Angeles, California, United States Residence Los Angeles, California, United States Nationality Education She enrolled in UCLA with Economics as her subject but she discontinued in order to pursue her acting career. India Royale Age: Exactly How Old is The Instagram Influencer. Sweeney was a US dress size 12 (UK dress size 16), not obese by medical standards, but still larger than her television peers, so it became an issue. More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Resume "Hallmark was thrilled and loved the idea of the Alex character, and the world that I had developed," and so were her fans. We talk about our three favorite things about the other person and then three things that we could work on.. "It's a sort of a free zone where you're not gonna get angry and you're not gonna get sensitive," she explained. For her performance, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award (2015) and received a Fan Voted Daytime Emmy Award (2002) and six Soap Opera Digest Awards (1996,1998, 1999, 2001, and 2005). All three children were raised by their parents. However, as the outlet notes, many Hallmark A-listers also sign on as executive producers, which means they stand to earn up to 20% of international sales of the film. We talk about our three favorite things about the other person and then three things that we could work on.. The movie was filmed before Sweeney and Vaughn became siblings on Days of Our Lives. According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Sanovs own net worth is as high as $250,000. Working as a police officer doesnt offer glitz and glamour like being a celebrity, but nevertheless it pays the bills, and adds something to your personal bank account. Hallmark is cooking up a fresh Hannah Swensen mystery. The films,. 5. Alison Sweeney Bio, Age, Parents : Alison Sweeney was born on September 19, 1976, in Los Angeles, California. Then Ali does sit-ups with Ben lying on her chest for resistance. I save my dreams and hopes for my kids. "When I found out he became a cop, I was like, 'I have to see him, Mom, you have to make this happen for me,'" she laughed. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alison_Sweeney_2009.jpg. "I can't tell you the last song I actually heard as podcasts are all I listen to," she told the outlet. Alison Sweeney began dating California Highway Patrol Officer David Sanov sometime in 1997. (Not wedding. Growing up, she lived with her parents in Pasadena and filmed "Days of Our Lives" in Burbank, but spent time off with her aunt in Connecticut. Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery, Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Murder Mystery. Also Known As: Alison Ann Sweeney Age: 46 Years, 46 Year Old Females Family: Spouse/Ex-: David Sanov (m. 2000) children: Benjamin Sanov, Megan Sanov Born Country: United States Writers Actresses Height: 5'5" (165 cm ), 5'5" Females U.S. State: California City: Los Angeles More Facts Recommended Lists: American People Directors American Women As she gradually matures over the course of the show, Days of Our Lives, she gets into volatile relationships with various men and becomes an extremely protective mother to her children. Celebrity Name Game . She portrayed Samantha Brady, Colleen Brady, and Adrienne Johnson in the show. They have two children. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Audiences can see her again in the role very soon in the holiday-themed. Alison Ann Sweeney was born on September 19, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, USA, to Polly and Stender Sweeney. A few years later, she appeared in an episode of the crime drama series Simon & Simon (1984) before featuring in an episode of the horror series, Tales from the Darkside (1985). When she's not working or spending time with her family, Alison Sweeney is a longtime Stand Up To Cancer ambassador. Alison Sweeney is one of the most popular faces on American daytime television. Alison Sweeney's height is 5 feet 4 inches tall and her body weight is 59 kilograms. As she told Access, "His dad and my mom play the violin for feature film soundtracks, so we've actually known each other our whole lives." In 2011, She performed the duties of an executive producer on her TV Guide Network reality series Hollywood Girls Night. ? Written and directed by Dyan Cannon, who also played the main protagonist, the film is a semi-autobiographical tale of Cannons own life. No such romantic foibles are coming to Hannah Swensens newest adventure, even if things wont exactly be at their rosiest for her and Mike. View this post on Instagram. Who Is Carolyn Elizabeth Davis and Where is She Now? Lined with bookshelves, it features a drop-down screen that turns the space into a movie room. I remember telling my dad when I was six years old that I was going to do this someday, and now Im really doing it! said Sweeney. "I ski double-black diamonds," she told Us Weekly. Was an evening undergraduate at UCLA, where she took business classes after work. Mathison returns as Hannah's husband-to-be . Sweeney is of Irish descent and has two brothers. Getty Alison Sweeney is back playing Hannah Swensen in a beloved Hallmark movie series. Maybe that's because, as she said in the Lansing State Journal, "I've been skiing my whole life. Alison Sweeney: At a Glance. Many hoped for a Hannah and Mike reunion, and now they are getting it! That, in turn, led to insecurity and pushed her to try extreme diets, including the papaya diet. The most special feature, however, are the equestrian paintings linked to Jane. She belonged to the Irish ethnic background and grew up with her two siblings Ryan and Sten along with her parents in her hometown.