Who Is Happy’s Place Star Melissa Peterman’s Husband? All About John Brady

Melissa Peterman and John Brady are still laughing after over two decades of marriage

Melissa Peterman and John Brady attend Celebrity Fight Night XXIV on March 10, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Credit :Frazer Harrison/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Melissa Peterman married her husband, John Brady, in 1999
They are both actors, and Brady even guest-starred on Reba
Peterman and Brady welcomed a son, Riley, in 2005

Melissa Peterman and her husband, John Brady, have been married since 1999.

The comedic actress, who stars alongside friend and country music legend Reba McEntire in the NBC sitcom Happy’s Place, and Brady, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on June 5, 2024. Marking the milestone with a heartfelt post, Peterman joked that she and Brady were “silver medal winners” in the Olympics of marriage.

Brady, an actor himself, featured as a guest star in Peterman and McEntire’s original collaboration, Reba, which ran from 2001 to 2007.

The couple recently became empty nesters when their son Riley left for college. During a 2025 appearance on Sherri, Peterman shared that she and Brady were handling his departure in the “most natural way” — by welcoming a new puppy named Elvis.

Through all the changes, the couple have kept each other laughing. In a heartfelt Valentine’s Day post, Peterman celebrated Brady’s ability to make her giggle. “Love comes in all kinds of packages. Mine came in the funniest bald man I ever met,” she wrote.

So, who is Melissa Peterman’s husband? Here’s everything to know about John Brady and his relationship with the actress.

He’s an actor

Melissa Peterman and John Brady at Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night XVIII on March 24, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona.Michael Buckner/Getty

Peterman isn’t the only actor in the family. Brady has had acting roles in several TV shows, including Nurse Jackie, Scrubs and Days of Our Lives.

Brady made two guest appearances on Reba, playing different characters in each episode. In season 1’s “Brock’s Swan Song,” he portrayed Mr. Hudson, a funeral home planner assisting Reba and Brock with arrangements. He returned in season 2’s “Switch” as Fred, a participant at a speed dating event Reba attends.

Brady’s most recent acting credits include the films Canal Street (2018), Captive State (2019) and Hands Up (2021).

They’ve been married since 1999

Melissa Peterman and John Brady on their wedding day.Melissa Peterman/ Instagram

Brady and Peterman married in her hometown of Minneapolis on June 5, 1999, according to NBC. Peterman shared on Instagram that the special day was hot and humid, saying that her friend helped her cool off on the 98-degree day by placing a fan under her dress.

The couple marked 25 years of marriage in 2024, with Peterman sharing heartfelt throwback photos of them dancing and playfully pretending to take a bite of their wedding cake.

Celebrating the traditional gift for the milestone anniversary, Peterman wrote, “In the Olympics of marriage, we’re silver medal winners! Happy Anniversary, John Brady. 25 years!”

He has a good sense of humor

Melissa Peterman and John Brady attend Inaugural Gateway Celebrity Fight Night on March 12, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona.Phillip Faraone/Getty

Peterman called Brady “the funniest bald man I ever met” in a Valentine’s Day post, sharing a photo from their 1999 wedding where they were laughing at the bill for their cash bar.

“We still look at the bill for that cash bar and laugh,” she wrote on X.

The couple still keep each other laughing. Peterman found Brady’s “emergency cash” hidden in an empty Spam can in their pantry in June 2021. She shared the discovery on Facebook, joking about his getaway plan.

“He’s gonna need a lot more than 20 dollars to start a new life without me,” she quipped.

They share a son

Melissa Peterman and her son Riley David Brady attend the Disney’s VIP Halloween event on October 1, 2014 in Glendale, California.Tibrina Hobson/Getty

Brady and Peterman welcomed their son, Riley, on Oct. 20, 2005.

Peterman opened up about parenting and the transition to an empty nest during an episode of the I’ve Never Said This Before with Tommy DiDario podcast. She encouraged parents to savor every moment, emphasizing how quickly time passes.

“I do that thing where I will look at baby pictures and go like, ‘I want that moment back!’ So I think it’s just being present in moments, sometimes,” she said. “We rush things, we fast forward through things, even little moments like, ‘I can’t wait till this birthday party is over and I can clean up.’ No, don’t.”

Their son left home for college in 2024, and Peterman said on Sherri that she and Brady were filling the empty nest with a new puppy.

“It doesn’t quite fill all the holes, but I still have to do a lot of cleaning up, so it reminds me of being a mom,” said Peterman.

He’s a karaoke pro

Melissa Peterman and John Brady attend Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night XXIII on March 18, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona.Frazer Harrison/Getty

Brady and Peterman keep the laughter going with karaoke. In May 2022, Peterman shared a clip of Brady’s dramatic rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody;” with a wig and a perfectly timed mic drop, Brady delivered a performance worthy of the iconic number.

Peterman paired the hilarious video with a heartfelt caption, expressing her gratitude for her husband.

“In a world that can break your heart, I’m real glad I married John Brady. Happy Birthday, Sug! Love you. I like you. You make me laugh,” she wrote.

They believe in comfortable silence

Melissa Peterman and John Brady during Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night XV on March 28, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.Stefanie Keenan/Getty

The couple believe in quiet time and independent adventures. Peterman revealed on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2025 that she and Brady are able to share comfortable silence, and that she looks forward to a little time away.

“After 26 years, I love not talking to him,” joked Peterman. “It’s okay to be silent, we don’t have to talk every moment.” The actress added that she was making the most of her time away from Brady by indulging in her guilty pleasures.

“I love that I got to be in a hotel room and eat a Caesar salad in bed,” she said.

She surprised him with a birthday video

Melissa Peterman and John Brady attend Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night XXI on March 28, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona.Michael Buckner/Getty

Peterman celebrated Brady’s 60th birthday on May 30, 2021, in a way that perfectly suited the comedic couple; she shared a video of two baby relatives dressed as them and imitating their personalities.

“’My Husband John Turning 60′ DISCLAIMER: This scene is based on actual Birthday events,” wrote Peterman. “Although based on real bald and blonde people who enjoy freezy pops, these are professional actors (relatives) taking dramatic license.”