Before Happy's Place, Melissa Peterman Starred In A Long-Running ABC Family Sitcom

Before Melissa Peterman was serving up laughs with Reba McEntire on "Happy's Place," she starred in the ABC Family sitcom "Baby Daddy" (which McEntire also guest-starred on). "Baby Daddy" follows Ben Wheeler, a young bachelor who ends up raising a baby who was left on his doorstep by an ex. His brother, friends, and mother lend him a hand too.

Peterman played Ben's mother, Bonnie, for all six seasons, from 2012 to 2017. The arrival of the new baby changes everyone's lives, with Bonnie becoming part of Ben's support system as he navigates new parenthood. But she is much more than just a mother and grandmother, with the show also giving Bonnie storylines involving her own life and romances.

Peterman also appreciated the chance to play Bonnie, particularly her confidence. "What I love about her is she's a 40-something grandmother, mother of two, divorced, [and] a little bit loud," she told Bustle in 2014. "She has a little bit of baggage, but she is the most confident woman in the world," she added.

Melissa Peterman would happily reprise her role as Bonnie Wheeler if a "Baby Daddy" reboot ever materialized. "We all would love a reboot or a revival — or even a short limited series," she told Us Weekly in September 2026. "I want to be Bonnie Wheeler again." Peterman continued, reflecting on Bonnie: "She had no business walking into every room with the utmost confidence, and I love that [creator] Dan Berendsen gave this woman up, who was over 40, who walked into every room expecting that everyone would be delighted to talk to her, and I love that."

"Baby Daddy" ended after six seasons in 2017, despite some fans trying to save the series. As with other great sitcoms that inspired devoted followings, fans launched petitions, hashtags, and other online campaigns in hopes of keeping the show alive, but their efforts were unsuccessful.