Charles Melton

For the Australian winery, see Charles Melton Wines.

Charles Melton
Melton in 2024
Born
Charles Michael Melton

(1991-01-04) January 4, 1991 (age 33)
Juneau, Alaska, U.S.
Alma materKansas State University
OccupationActor
Years active2010–present

Charles Michael Melton (born January 4, 1991)[1] is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Reggie Mantle in the CW series Riverdale (2017–2023) and a young man married to a much-older woman in May December (2023). His critically praised performance in the latter earned him a nomination for a Golden Globe Award.

Early life

Charles Michael Melton was born on January 4, 1991, in Juneau, Alaska, to Sukyong and Phil Melton.[2] His father is an American with English ancestry;[3][4][5] his mother is a Korean immigrant who moved to the United States with his father in 1990. Melton is their eldest child.[1] His family moved frequently because his father worked for the military.[6] At one point, the family lived in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, South Korea, for about five years.[1] They eventually settled down in Manhattan, Kansas[4][5] where Melton graduated from Manhattan High School in 2009.[7][8] Melton studied at nearby Kansas State University, where he played as a defensive back on the football team under coach Bill Snyder.[2][8] He dropped out of college at twenty to pursue acting and moved to Los Angeles, California, in 2012.[6]

He also previously worked as a dog walker on the app Wag.[4]

Career

He was first successful as a model, having booked gigs for Dolce & Gabbana, Kenneth Cole and MAC.[4] His first acting roles included guest spots on Glee and American Horror Story.[4]

Melton received mainstream attention in 2017 when he was cast as Reggie Mantle in the second season of the CW series Riverdale. He replaced Ross Butler, who left the cast due to his commitment to 13 Reasons Why.[9] After recurring during the second season, Melton officially became a series regular on Riverdale starting with the third season.[10] In 2019, he starred in his first feature film as Daniel Bae in The Sun Is Also a Star, the film adaptation of the book of the same name by Nicola Yoon.[11][12] Because of that movie, he is the first Korean-American and Asian-American actor to lead a teen romance film from a major Hollywood studio.[13]

In 2023, he co-starred in the Todd Haynes directed Netflix drama film May December where he acted alongside Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore.[14] Melton's performance received critical acclaim, winning Best Supporting Actor from the Gotham Independent Film Awards, National Society of Film Critics Awards and the New York Film Critics Awards.[15][16][17] He also received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award.[18]

He is set to star in Love Child with Elizabeth Olsen with a release date to be announced.[19] He is also set to star in Warfare, an A24 war movie written and directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza.[20] He will also star in Beef season 2 alongside Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Cailee Spaeny, and Yuh-Jung Youn.[21]

His charity work includes serving as a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics International.[22]

Personal life

Melton dated Riverdale co-star Camila Mendes from October 2018 to December 2019.[23][24] They dated again briefly in 2021. He dated Chase Sui Wonders from early 2022 until that summer. He dated Chloe Bennet in the spring/summer of 2023.[25]

Melton has two sisters, Patricia and Tammy.[26] Tammy works with him as his producing partner.[27]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2018 The Thinning: New World Order Cage Web film
2019 The Sun Is Also a Star Daniel Bae
2020 Bad Boys for Life Rafe
Mainstream Himself Cameo
2021 Heart of Champions Chris Davenport
2022 Secret Headquarters Hawaii
2023 May December Joe Yoo
TBA Warfare Filming

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2014 Glee Model Episode: "New New York"
2015–2016 American Horror Story: Hotel Mr. Wu 2 episodes
2017–2023 Riverdale Reggie Mantle Recurring (season 2); main (season 3–7)
2021 American Horror Stories Wyatt Episode: "The Naughty List"
2023 Poker Face Davis McDowell Episode: "The Future of the Sport"
History of the World, Part II Joshy Mudman 3 episodes

Music videos

Year Title Artist(s)
2016 "Save My Soul" JoJo
2019 "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" Ariana Grande

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Alliance of Women Film Journalists 2024 Best Supporting Actor May December Nominated
Astra Film Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Austin Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Boston Online Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Won
Boston Society of Film Critics 2023 Best Supporting Actor Runner-up[a] [28]
Celebration of Cinema and Television 2023 Breakthrough Performance Award Won [29]
Chicago Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Won [30]
Most Promising Performer Won
Chicago Indie Critics 2024 Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Breakout Artist Nominated
Columbus Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Performance Nominated
Breakthrough Film Artist Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Runner-up
Denver Film Critics Society 2024 Best Supporting Performance by an Actor, Male Nominated
DiscussingFilm Critic Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor Won
Best Breakthrough Performance Won
Dublin Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Actor Nominated
Florida Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Supporting Actor Won
Breakout Award Nominated
Georgia Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Actor Runner-up
Breakthrough Award Runner-up[b]
Golden Globe Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated
Gotham Awards 2023 Outstanding Supporting Performance Won [31]
Greater Western New York Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Won
Breakthrough Performance Won
Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards 2023 Best Supporting Performance Nominated
Breakout of the Year Runner-up
Independent Spirit Awards 2024 Best Supporting Performance Nominated
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actor Nominated [32]
London Film Critics' Circle 2024 Supporting Actor of the Year Won
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2019 Best Kiss Riverdale Nominated[c]
Music City Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Actor May December Pending
National Society of Film Critics 2023 Best Supporting Actor Won
New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actor Won [17]
New York Film Critics Online Awards 2023 Breakthrough Performer Won
North Carolina Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated
North Dakota Film Society 2024 Best Supporting Actor Pending
North Texas Film Critics Association Awards 2023 Best Newcomer Nominated
Online Association of Female Film Critics 2023 Best Supporting Actor Won[d]
Breakthrough Performance Won
Philadelphia Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Supporting Actor Runner-up
Best Breakthrough Performance Won
San Diego Film Critics Society 2023 Best Supporting Actor Nominated
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle 2024 Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2024 Virtuoso Award Won
Satellite Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated
Seattle Film Critics Society 2024 Best Supporting Actor Won
St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actor Runner-up[e]
Teen Choice Awards 2019 Choice Summer Movie Actor The Sun is Also a Star Nominated
Toronto Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Performance May December Runner-up[f]
Best Breakthrough Performance Runner-up[d]
UK Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Utah Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Performance, Male Runner-up
Variety & Golden Globe's Breakthrough Artist Awards 2023 Breakthrough Artist Award Honoree [33]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Won [34]
Women Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Actor Runner-up[g]

Notes

  1. ^ Shared with Robert Downey Jr. for Oppenheimer and Mark Ruffalo for Poor Things.
  2. ^ Shared with Ayo Edebiri.
  3. ^ Shared with Camila Mendes.
  4. ^ a b Shared with Dominic Sessa for The Holdovers.
  5. ^ Shared with Robert Downey Jr. for Oppenheimer.
  6. ^ Shared with Robert De Niro for Killers of the Flower Moon, Robert Downey Jr. for Oppenheimer and Glenn Howerton for BlackBerry.
  7. ^ Shared with Colman Domingo for Rustin and Gael García Bernal for Cassandro

References

  1. ^ a b c Choi, Ji Woong (January 24, 2019). "CHARLES MELTON". DAZED KOREA (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Tang, Elisa; Morrison, Tony; Singh, Nidhi; Cirillo, Chris; Bernabe, Angeline Jane (May 16, 2019). "'On Their Shoulders': Why Charles Melton calls his mom his 'queen' and 'hero'". ABC News. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  3. ^ Tanabe, Sam (May 20, 2019). "Interview: Charles Melton". hapamag.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e Kaufman, Amy (May 17, 2019). "Riverdale's Charles Melton steps into the spotlight with The Sun Is Also a Star". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Model of the Week: Charles Melton". models.com. August 4, 2011. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Nordstrom, Leigh (November 27, 2018). "Charles Melton Is Your Next Heartthrob". Women's Wear Daily. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  7. ^ "2010 Football | Charles Melton". Kansas State University Athletics. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Cassidy, Robert (August 4, 2011). "Melton moves on after football". kansasstate.rivals.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  9. ^ Nemetz, Dave (May 12, 2017). "Meet Riverdale's New Reggie — Plus: Ross Butler Endorses Recast". TVLine. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  10. ^ Swift, Andy (May 2, 2018). "Riverdale Promotes Vanessa Morgan, Charles Melton to Series Regulars". TVLine. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  11. ^ Galuppo, Mia; Sun, Rebecca (May 31, 2018). "Riverdale Star Charles Melton Joins Yara Shahidi in The Sun Is Also a Star (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  12. ^ Gandhi, Lakshmi (May 17, 2019). "In his first feature film, actor Charles Melton is learning to 'trust the process'". NBC News. Archived from the original on May 26, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  13. ^ Shia, Jonathan (May 25, 2019). "CHARLES MELTON KEEPS BREAKING BOUNDARIES". THE LAST MAGAZINE. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  14. ^ Buchanan, Kyle (May 26, 2023). "Inside 'May December,' the Most Fun Film at Cannes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  15. ^ Brew, Caroline (November 28, 2023). "'Past Lives' Takes Best Feature at Gotham Awards: Full Winners List". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  16. ^ "'Past Lives' named best picture of 2023". National Society of Film Critics. January 7, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Davis, Clayton (November 30, 2023). "New York Film Critics Awards: 'Killers of the Flower Moon' Wins Best Film, Christopher Nolan Takes Director (Full List)". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Hipes, Patrick (December 11, 2023). "Golden Globe Nominations: 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' Top Movie List; 'Succession' Leads Way In TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  19. ^ "Charles Melton and Elizabeth Olsen Teaming up for Todd Solondz's 'Love Child'". February 13, 2024.
  20. ^ "Kit Connor, Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter & Finn Bennett Round Out Lead Cast Of Ray Mendoza And Alex Garland's 'Warfare'". Deadline Hollywood. March 28, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  21. ^ "Beef Season 2: Cast, Story, Premiere Date, and Everything Else to Know". TVGuide.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  22. ^ https://www.specialolympics.org/about/ambassadors/charles-melton
  23. ^ Gay, Danielle (October 8, 2018). "Riverdale has produced another couple as Camila Mendes and Charles Melton confirm dating rumours". Vogue Australia. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  24. ^ Cohen, Jess (December 5, 2019). "Riverdale's Camila Mendes and Charles Melton Are "Taking a Break"". E! Online. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  25. ^ "Charles Melton's Dating History: From Camila Mendes to Chloe Bennet". People. November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  26. ^ "Charles Melton's Career Is Exploding". Marie Claire. December 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  27. ^ "How Charles Melton Beat the Odds". Harpers Bazaar. January 3, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  28. ^ Anderson, Erik (December 10, 2023). "2023 Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC): 'The Holdovers' Wins Best Film, Actor, Supporting Actress, Screenplay". AwardsWatch. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  29. ^ "The Critics Choice Association Announces Honorees for the Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements – Critics Choice Awards". Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  30. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 8, 2023). "The 2023 Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture.
  31. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (October 24, 2023). "Gotham Awards Nominations: 'All of Us Strangers' Tops Movie List; Ryan Gosling Gets 'Barbie' Nom With Budget Caps Removed". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  32. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 8, 2023). "The 2023 Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) Nominations". Next Best Picture.
  33. ^ Earl, William (May 15, 2023). "Variety and Golden Globes Awards Partner to Celebrate Breakthrough Talent At Cannes Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  34. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 9, 2023). "The 2023 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture.