Differences between ‘Happy Face’ and Real-Life Serial Killer Case

If you’ve been watching the Paramount+ series “Happy Face,” you might be wondering how the show compares to the real-life story of serial killer Keith Jesperson and his daughter, Melissa Moore.

While the series is based on Moore’s podcast and book, “Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter,” there are some significant differences between real life and the show.

For starters, in the series, Melissa’s last name is Reed, not Moore. The names of her children and husband are also different. Annaleigh Ashford, who plays Melissa, was chosen for the role based on her performance and not just her resemblance to the real Melissa.

One of the key moments in the series is when Melissa goes public about her father’s identity while working as a makeup artist for Dr. Greg. In reality, Moore made this revelation on “Dr. Phil” and later appeared on “The Dr. Oz Show” and other true crime docuseries.

The show also depicts Melissa’s daughter, Hazel, becoming popular at school after sharing her family secret. This differs from real life, where Hazel faced bullying after the news broke. Moore has shared that her daughter, now 23, has even had her former bullies trying to reconnect on social media.

Additionally, there is a scene in the series where a waiter confesses to Melissa about their own dark family secret. Moore has said that encounters like these are not uncommon for her, as people feel safe sharing their stories with her.

The first three episodes of “Happy Face” are available to stream on Paramount+, with new episodes premiering weekly on Thursdays. It’s a gripping series that sheds light on a complex and challenging family history.