Most Famous Melissas in the World

Lots of famous people – actors, musicians, and writers – are named Melissa! Here’s a look at some well-known Melissas in entertainment – from movies and TV to music and comedy – and how they became famous.

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy is a highly acclaimed actor, recognized with an Emmy and an Oscar nomination, who often steals the show in films like ‘Bridesmaids’, ‘Spy’, and ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’. She first gained popularity on TV with ‘Gilmore Girls’ and later starred in the sitcom ‘Mike & Molly’. She’s also led several popular studio comedies, including ‘The Heat’ and ‘Ghostbusters’. In addition to her acting work, McCarthy runs a production company with her husband, Ben Falcone, and has her own successful clothing line.

Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge is a celebrated rock musician known for her powerful, emotive songs and distinctive voice. She’s achieved success with popular tracks like ‘Bring Me Some Water’ and ‘I’m the Only One,’ and has received both Grammy and Academy Awards, including an Oscar for ‘I Need to Wake Up’ from the film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. Beyond her music, Etheridge is a well-known supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and various health initiatives. She continues to connect with fans worldwide through constant touring and live recordings.

Melissa Benoist

Melissa Benoist is an accomplished actress best known for her role as Supergirl, where she became a key part of the popular Arrowverse TV crossovers. Before that, she gained recognition on the show ‘Glee’ and appeared in the critically acclaimed movie ‘Whiplash’. She’s also performed on Broadway in ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’, and continues to work in television, theater, and audio productions. Beyond her acting, she’s also dedicated to supporting various charities.

Melissa Joan Hart

Melissa Joan Hart rose to fame as a teen star thanks to her roles in ‘Clarissa Explains It All’ and ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’. Later in her career, she returned to television with the sitcom ‘Melissa & Joey’. Beyond acting, Hart has also worked behind the camera, directing episodes of her shows and producing TV movies. She’s also a producer herself, co-founding a production company, and has written a memoir about her life and career.

Melissa Leo

Melissa Leo is an Oscar-winning actress, best known for her role in ‘The Fighter’. She’s also received praise for her work in ‘Frozen River’ and has been in popular movies like ‘The Equalizer’ and ‘Prisoners’. Throughout her career, Leo has worked on independent films, successful TV shows, and big-budget studio productions. She’s known for completely transforming herself to play different characters and for working with many well-respected directors.

Melissa McBride

Melissa McBride is best known for her role as Carol Peletier in ‘The Walking Dead’. Starting as a smaller part, her character became central to the show, and she’s received awards for her work. She’s continued playing Carol in other shows set in ‘The Walking Dead’ world. Before that, McBride appeared in projects like ‘The Mist’ and also worked behind the scenes in casting.

Melissa George

Melissa George is an Australian actor who began her career with a popular role on ‘Home and Away’ and later gained international recognition in shows like ‘Alias’ and ‘In Treatment’. She’s also appeared in several thriller and horror films, including ‘The Amityville Horror’ and ‘30 Days of Night’. In addition to her work in film, George has starred in acclaimed European television dramas and miniseries, and continues to work on projects in both television and film around the world.

Melissa Rauch

Melissa Rauch became well-known for her role as Bernadette on ‘The Big Bang Theory’. More recently, she starred in and helped create the new version of ‘Night Court’. She’s also lent her voice to animated films like ‘Batman and Harley Quinn’. Beyond acting, Rauch works behind the scenes as a comedy writer and producer, and she’s dedicated to supporting charities that help families and children.

Melissa Barrera

Melissa Barrera is a Mexican actor and singer who gained international recognition for her leading roles in movies like ‘In the Heights’ and the latest ‘Scream’ films. She began her career in Spanish-language television before moving on to English-language projects, including the series ‘Vida’. With a background in musical theatre, she continues to perform in film, television, and music.

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert became famous for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder in ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ Beyond acting, she’s also led the Screen Actors Guild and worked as a producer and actress in many TV movies and plays. Additionally, she’s a writer who shares her personal experiences and career journey in her books.

Melissa Manchester

Melissa Manchester is a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter known for beloved songs like ‘Midnight Blue’, ‘Don’t Cry Out Loud’, and ‘You Should Hear How She Talks About You’. She got her start after training at New York’s High School of Performing Arts, initially working as a studio singer and recording commercials. Over the years, she’s written music for movies and TV, toured the world, and also shares her expertise by teaching workshops and mentoring up-and-coming musicians.

Melissa Auf der Maur

Melissa Auf der Maur is a Canadian musician and artist who’s played bass for well-known bands like Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins. She also released her own albums, combining alternative rock with unique soundscapes. Beyond music, she’s a talented photographer and creates multimedia art, showcasing her work around the world. She’s also dedicated to supporting the arts, co-founding a cultural center and performance venue for independent artists.

Melissa Fumero

Melissa Fumero is an actress and director who’s widely recognized for her role as Detective Amy Santiago in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. She’s also directed episodes of various TV comedies and shows on streaming platforms. Beyond acting, Fumero does voice work in animated projects like ‘Velma’ and continues to work in television while advocating for more Latinx representation in the entertainment industry.

Melissa Rosenberg

Melissa Rosenberg is a successful screenwriter and producer known for adapting the ‘Twilight’ books into movies. She also created and ran the Marvel series ‘Jessica Jones’, and was a major writer and producer on the hit show ‘Dexter’. Rosenberg is a strong supporter of women in the entertainment industry and actively helps new writers develop their careers.

Melissa Mathison

Melissa Mathison was a highly respected screenwriter, most famous for writing the beloved film ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.’ She also wrote the screenplays for ‘The Black Stallion’ and ‘Kundun,’ and worked with renowned directors like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. Mathison’s writing focused on heartfelt stories and continues to resonate with audiences today.

Melissa Villaseñor

Melissa Villaseñor is a funny and talented performer known for her spot-on impressions and work as an actor. She became a household name during her time on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ but first gained attention competing on ‘America’s Got Talent’ with her amazing vocal impressions. Beyond TV, Melissa tours as a stand-up comedian, has released comedy albums, and lends her voice to animated shows and video games.

Melissa O’Neil

Melissa O’Neil is a Canadian singer and actor best known for her role as Officer Lucy Chen in the TV show ‘The Rookie’. She first gained recognition after winning a national singing contest in Canada. Before television, she performed in musical theatre, taking on leading roles. Now, she appears in a variety of TV shows, including police procedurals, science fiction projects, and guest spots on series across North America.

Share your favorites and any Melissas we missed in the comments!

2025-10-20 08:46