Nancy Valen was born and raised in Hallandale Beach, Florida, near the beaches of the southern Atlantic coast. By the time she was 12 years old, Nancy was spending summers modeling in New York City. After graduating from a performing arts high school in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Nancy won a theatrical scholarship to the University of Florida. {Nancy ultimately declined the scholarship in favor of continuing her professional career in Miami. Meanwhile, she attended Broward College, where she studied theatre and paid for her tuition by modeling and acting.
After college, Nancy went to New York to pursue a theatrical career. Within one month of being in New York, she landed a series regular role on the daytime drama Ryan's Hope. Nancy stayed with Ryan's Hope, dating director Michael Lesner for two years before moving to Los Angeles to pursue other interests.
She has also appeared on such shows as Boy Meets World, Charles in Charge, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Friends, Full House, Hull High, Miami Vice, Murder She Wrote, Ryan's Hope, Saved by the Bell, Silk Stalkings, Spin City, and Walker, Texas Ranger. Valen has also appeared in motion pictures such as The Heavenly Kid, Lover Boy, Porky's Revenge, and Seven Sundays.
Nancy Valen has played a health professional on two different high school sitcoms, Boy Meets World and Saved by the Bell. She has played a character named Jenny/Jennifer on at least three different occasions (Lover Boy, Saved by the Bell, and Hardball).
Valen auditioned for the role of "Cassie Winslow #2" on Guiding Light when Laura Wright abruptly exited the role, but lost to Nicole Forester.
In recent years, Nancy Valen has seemed to transition herself into the world of television production. Alongside Craig J. Nevius, Nancy has formed Windmill Entertainment. Among the television programs she has produced include Living in TV Land, Chasing Farrah, William Shatner in Concert, and Let's Kill Scott Baio (announced).
Since October 9, 1994, Nancy Valen has been married to Nels Van Patten (son of actor Dick Van Patten). Her cousin is actress Talia Balsam.
She is close friends with Baywatch co-star Yasmine Bleeth.
Measurements: 34-24-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
