You probably know her as the loud, vibrant Barbra Jean from Reba or the sharp-tongued Brenda Sparks on Young Sheldon. Melissa Peterman has this way of making every character feel like a long-lost friend who talks a little too fast. But while her on-screen love lives are usually messy—like that whole affair-turned-marriage storyline with Brock Hart—her actual home life is surprisingly steady. Seriously, in Hollywood years, it’s basically ancient history.
If you’re wondering who is Melissa Peterman married to in real life, the answer isn't a country star or a fictional dentist. It's fellow actor John Brady.
They’ve been together for over 26 years. Honestly, that’s like a world record in a town where some marriages don't last as long as a sitcom pilot. They got hitched back in June 1999. It was a hot one, too. We’re talking 98 degrees in Minneapolis, and Melissa has joked about having a friend stand nearby with a fan under her wedding dress just to keep her from melting before the "I dos."
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A marriage that survived the spotlight
John Brady isn't just "the husband." He’s a working actor in his own right, though he tends to keep a lower profile than Melissa. You might have spotted him in Nurse Jackie or Scrubs. He even popped up on Reba a couple of times.
Remember the episode where Reba goes speed dating? Or the one where they’re planning a funeral? That was him. He played two different minor characters—Mr. Hudson and Fred—proving that when your wife is the star of the show, you can definitely snag a guest spot or two.
They aren't the type of couple you see splashed across every tabloid with "insider" drama. In fact, Melissa recently described them as "silver medal winners" in the marriage Olympics during their 25th anniversary in 2024. It’s kinda refreshing. They actually seem to like each other.
The empty nest and the new roommate
For a long time, their world revolved around their son, Riley David Brady, who was born in October 2005. But kids grow up. In 2024, Riley headed off to college, leaving Melissa and John with a very quiet house.
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How did they handle the empty nest? They did what everyone does: they got a puppy.
Melissa admitted on the Sherri show that while the dog doesn't quite replace a human child, the constant cleaning up at least makes her feel like she’s still "momming." It’s that relatable, slightly chaotic energy that makes her fans love her.
Why their relationship actually works
You’d think two actors living together would be a constant battle for the spotlight. Nope. Melissa actually credits their longevity to the fact that they don’t have to fill every second with noise.
While filming her newer project Happy’s Place with Reba McEntire, Melissa opened up on The Drew Barrymore Show about the beauty of silence. She joked that after nearly three decades, she "loves not talking to him." It sounds harsh, but anyone who has been in a long-term relationship knows exactly what she means. It’s about that comfortable silence where you can sit in the same room, do your own thing, and not feel the pressure to perform.
- The 98-degree wedding: June 5, 1999, in Minneapolis.
- The Riley Era: Their son was born in 2005 and is now a college student.
- The Professional Crossover: John guest-starred on Reba (Season 1 and 2) and Trading Spaces.
- Current Status: Still married, still funny, and currently navigating the "empty nest" life in 2026.
People often assume she’s married to someone like Christopher Rich (Brock from Reba) because their chemistry was so ridiculous on screen. That’s the danger of being a good actress; people start to believe the fiction. But John Brady has been the constant through her rise from a theater performer in Minnesota to a household name.
If you’re looking for a blueprint for a stable celebrity marriage, this might be it. They don't overshare, they support each other’s work, and they clearly share the same sense of humor.
What to watch next
If you want to see the couple's chemistry (or at least see them in the same vicinity), go back and re-watch the early seasons of Reba. Look for the guy playing the funeral home planner—that's the man who actually won Barbra Jean’s heart in the real world. You can also catch Melissa currently hosting Person, Place or Thing, where her quick wit is always on full display.
Next time you see a rumor about a "sitcom curse" breaking up a TV couple, just remember Melissa and John. They’re proof that you can be famous, funny, and still come home to the same person for twenty-six years.