Barbara Niven Siblings: Get to Know Shelley and Kim Bucholz

Barbara Niven is an American actress, writer, producer and motivational speaker renowned for her performances in Hallmark and Lifetime movies.

She has also appeared in television series such as Pensacola: Wings of Gold, One Life to Live, Cedar Cove and Chesapeake Shores.

Beyond acting, she is a passionate advocate for animal rights, a National Ambassador for American Humane, and the creator of the Unleash Your Star Power! media training system.

Siblings

Barbara grew up alongside two sisters, Shelley and Kim Bucholz, in Portland, Oregon.

Born to parents George and Edie Bucholz, the three siblings shared a childhood shaped by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

While Barbara has spoken publicly about her early life and career aspirations—knowing from the age of five that she wanted to be an actress—details about Shelley and Kim remain largely private.

Career

Niven’s acting journey began with a bold move, approaching the news director at KGW in Portland to critique her sample stories, promising to “pay it forward” if she succeeded.

This determination landed her an internship, and her story about the White House Easter Egg Roll even made network news.

Her acting debut came in 1986 with the TV movie Promise, marking the start of a prolific career spanning over 100 film and television roles.

Niven gained early recognition in soap operas, portraying Brenda Dickerson on The Bold and the Beautiful and Liz Coleman Reynolds on One Life to Live.

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Her versatility shone through in the syndicated series Pensacola: Wings of Gold (1998–2000), where she starred as a series regular.

She also made memorable guest appearances on shows like ER, Cold Case, NCIS, and Parks and Recreation.

Her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in HBO’s The Rat Pack (1998) remains one of her standout performances, earning praise as one of the top depictions of the iconic star.

In recent years, Niven has become a beloved figure in Hallmark and Lifetime movies, starring in projects like the Murder, She Baked series, Crossword Mysteries, and Chesapeake Shores, where she played Megan O’Brien opposite Treat Williams.

Her leading role in the independent film A Perfect Ending (2012) showcased her ability to tackle complex characters, earning her critical acclaim.

Beyond acting, Niven has authored books like 111 Star Power Tips and contributed to anthologies on personal growth, while her motivational speaking engagements inspire audiences to pursue their dreams.

Accolades

Niven won the Indie Best Actress Award for her powerful performance in A Perfect Ending, a testament to her ability to bring depth to independent cinema.

Additionally, she received a Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Hamlet’s Ghost, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

Her work in The Rat Pack has been lauded by critics, cementing her reputation as a versatile actress capable of embodying iconic figures.