Most Famous Melissas in the World

From blockbuster stars to Grammy-winning musicians and acclaimed screenwriters, many well-known figures share the first name Melissa. Below is a friendly, fact-packed roundup of notable Melissas across film, television, music, comedy, and behind-the-scenes storytelling, highlighting the projects and milestones that made them household names.

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy is an Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated actor known for scene-stealing turns in ‘Bridesmaids’, ‘Spy’, and ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’. She broke out on television with ‘Gilmore Girls’ and later headlined the sitcom ‘Mike & Molly’. McCarthy has also anchored major studio comedies like ‘The Heat’ and ‘Ghostbusters’. Beyond acting, she co-runs a production company with husband Ben Falcone and has a successful fashion line.

Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge is a rock singer-songwriter and guitarist whose raspy vocals and heartfelt songwriting produced hits like ‘Bring Me Some Water’ and ‘I’m the Only One’. She has won multiple Grammys and earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song for ‘I Need to Wake Up’ from ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. Etheridge has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and health causes. Her extensive touring and live albums have sustained a loyal global fan base.

Melissa Benoist

Melissa Benoist is best known for leading the DC series ‘Supergirl’, becoming a central figure in television’s Arrowverse crossovers. She first gained wide notice on ‘Glee’ and appeared in the acclaimed film ‘Whiplash’. Benoist has performed on Broadway in ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’. She continues to work across television, stage, and audio projects while engaging in charitable initiatives.

Melissa Joan Hart

Melissa Joan Hart became a teen icon through starring roles in ‘Clarissa Explains It All’ and ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’. She later returned to series television with the sitcom ‘Melissa & Joey’. Hart has directed episodes of her shows and produced made-for-TV features. She also co-founded a production banner and has authored a memoir chronicling her career.

Melissa Leo

Melissa Leo is an Academy Award–winning actor recognized for her performance in ‘The Fighter’. She earned widespread acclaim for ‘Frozen River’ and has appeared in high-profile projects such as ‘The Equalizer’ and ‘Prisoners’. Leo’s career spans independent cinema, prestige television, and studio films. She is noted for transformative character roles and collaborations with celebrated directors.

Melissa McBride

Melissa McBride is widely recognized for portraying Carol Peletier on ‘The Walking Dead’. Her character evolved from a supporting role to a core figure in the franchise, earning her multiple genre award honors. McBride has reprised the role in related series within the ‘The Walking Dead’ universe. Earlier in her career, she appeared in projects such as ‘The Mist’ and worked in casting.

Melissa George

Melissa George is an Australian actor who moved from early success on ‘Home and Away’ to international roles in ‘Alias’ and ‘In Treatment’. Her film credits include thriller and horror titles like ‘The Amityville Horror’ and ’30 Days of Night’. George has also anchored European prestige dramas and miniseries. She continues to split her career between television and film across several countries.

Melissa Rauch

Melissa Rauch rose to fame as Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz on ‘The Big Bang Theory’. She later headlined and executive produced the revival of ‘Night Court’. Rauch has performed voice roles in animated titles, including ‘Batman and Harley Quinn’. She is active as a writer-producer on comedy projects and participates in charity work focused on families and children.

Melissa Barrera

Melissa Barrera is a Mexican actor and singer who reached global audiences with leading roles in ‘In the Heights’ and the recent ‘Scream’ installments. She first became known in Spanish-language television before transitioning to English-language projects. Barrera also starred in the drama series ‘Vida’. Trained in musical theatre, she continues to work across film, TV, and music.

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert is best known for playing Laura Ingalls Wilder on ‘Little House on the Prairie’. She later served as president of the Screen Actors Guild. Gilbert has produced and starred in numerous television films and stage productions. She is also an author whose books reflect on her life and career.

Melissa Manchester

Melissa Manchester is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter with classic hits such as ‘Midnight Blue’, ‘Don’t Cry Out Loud’, and ‘You Should Hear How She Talks About You’. Trained at New York’s High School of Performing Arts, she began as a studio vocalist and jingle singer. Manchester has written for film and television and toured internationally for decades. She also teaches master classes and mentors young artists.

Melissa Auf der Maur

Melissa Auf der Maur is a Canadian bassist and artist known for her work with Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins. She later released solo albums that blended alternative rock with atmospheric production. Beyond music, she is a photographer and multimedia creator who has exhibited internationally. Auf der Maur co-founded a cultural center and performance space supporting independent arts.

Melissa Fumero

Melissa Fumero is an actor and director best known for playing Detective Amy Santiago on ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. She has directed episodes of network comedies and streaming series. Fumero has voice-acted in animation, including ‘Velma’. She remains active in television while supporting representation initiatives for Latinx creatives.

Melissa Rosenberg

Melissa Rosenberg is a screenwriter and producer who adapted the ‘Twilight’ saga for film. She served as creator and showrunner of Marvel’s ‘Jessica Jones’. Earlier in her career, Rosenberg was a key writer and executive producer on ‘Dexter’. She advocates for women in film and television and mentors emerging writers.

Melissa Mathison

Melissa Mathison was an acclaimed screenwriter best known for writing ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’. Her credits also include ‘The Black Stallion’ and ‘Kundun’. Mathison collaborated closely with directors such as Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. Her scripts emphasized emotional storytelling and have had lasting cultural impact.

Melissa Villaseñor

Melissa Villaseñor is a comedian, impressionist, and actor who gained national prominence on ‘Saturday Night Live’. She previously competed on ‘America’s Got Talent’, showcasing her vocal impressions. Villaseñor has toured as a stand-up headliner and released comedy albums. She also works as a voice actor in animation and video games.

Melissa O’Neil

Melissa O’Neil is a Canadian singer and actor who stars as Officer Lucy Chen on ‘The Rookie’. She first came to prominence by winning a national singing competition in Canada. O’Neil transitioned to musical theatre with leading roles before moving into television. Her screen work now includes procedurals, sci-fi projects, and guest appearances across North American series.

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