Melora Hardin was born in Houston, Texas, the daughter of acting manager Diane and actor Jerry Hardin. Hardin started her acting career at age 10 in the television series Thunder, and has appeared in over sixty movies and television programs since, including the film Thank You for Smoking, two episodes of Quantum Leap (she played Abigail in parts II and III of "Trilogy"), and one of the Little House on the Prairie movies (in which she played the love interest of Albert Ingalls). In 1988, she starred in the short-lived television adaption of the film Dirty Dancing in Jennifer Grey's role of "Baby". She also has a recurring role as Trudy Monk on the USA Network series Monk. She also appeared on the first season episode of NCIS "The Curse". She currently appears on The Office as former corporate manager Jan Levinson. Harden recently appeared in the birthday episode of Yo Gabba Gabba. She will appear in Hannah Montana: The Movie.

Hardin is also a singer, and has released two albums: "Purr" and "The Meloradrama". In 1991, she sang "Begin the Beguine" and "When Your Lover Has Gone" in the film The Rocketeer. She performed her "At the Watercooler" singing act at the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles on January 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2008.

She will play the role of Fantine in the Hollywood Bowl's concert of Les Miserables. She is married to actor Gildart Jackson and has two daughters, Rory Melora and Piper Hardin Jackson.