Charles Michael Melton (born January 4, 1991) is an American actor. After working as a fashion model, Melton ventured to acting with guest roles on the television series Glee (2014) and American Horror Story: Hotel (20152016). His breakthrough came with his portrayal of Reggie Mantle in the CW series Riverdale (2017–2023).
Melton gained recognition for his leading role in the romance film The Sun Is Also a Star (2019). For his acclaimed portrayal in the drama film May December (2023), Melton earned nominations for a Critics' Choice Movie Award and a Golden Globe Award. In 2026, he produced and starred as a personal trainer in the second season of the Netflix anthology series Beef, for which he received two nominations—Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor—at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Early life Charles Michael Melton was born on January 4, 1991, in Juneau, Alaska, to Sukyong and Phil Melton. His father is an American with English ancestry; his mother is a Korean immigrant who moved to the United States with Charles's father in 1990. Melton is the eldest child, having two younger sisters. His family moved frequently because his father worked for the military. At one point, the family lived in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, South Korea, for about five years. They eventually settled down in Manhattan, Kansas where Melton graduated from Manhattan High School in 2009. Melton studied at nearby Kansas State University, where he played as a defensive back on the football team under coach Bill Snyder. He dropped out of college at age 20 to pursue acting and moved to Los Angeles, California, in 2012.
He also previously worked as a dog walker on the app Wag.
Career He was first successful as a model, having booked gigs for Dolce & Gabbana, Kenneth Cole and MAC. His first acting roles included guest spots on Glee and American Horror Story.
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. After recurring during the second season, Melton officially became a series regular on Riverdale starting with the third season. 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. 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.
In 2023, he co-starred in the Todd Haynes directed Netflix drama film May December where he acted alongside Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. 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. He also received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award.
He starred in Warfare, an A24 war movie written and directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza. He is set to star in Love Child with Elizabeth Olsen with a release date to be announced. He starred in Beef season 2 alongside Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Cailee Spaeny, and Yuh-Jung Youn, as well as Her Private Hell alongside Sophie Thatcher and Havana Rose Liu.
On August 20, 2026, it was announced that Melton was in final negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake for the live-action film adaption of Naruto, which will be directed and written by Destin Daniel Cretton.
His charity work includes serving as a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics International.
Personal life Melton dated Riverdale co-star Camila Mendes from October 2018 to December 2019. They dated again briefly in 2021. He dated Chase Sui Wonders from early to mid-2022. He dated Chloe Bennet in 2023.
Melton is currently in a relationship with director Camille Summers-Valli. In January 2026, it was announced that Summers-Valli was pregnant with their first child. On March 9, 2026, Melton confirmed the birth of their daughter via Instagram. On August 20, 2026, it was reported that Melton quietly married Summers-Valli.
Melton has two sisters, Patricia and Tammy. Tammy works with him as his producing partner.
Filmography Film
Year Title Role Notes 2018 The Thinning: New World Order Cage Web film 2019 The Sun Is Also a Star Daniel Bae2020 Bad Boys for Life Rafe Mainstream Himself Cameo 2021 Heart of Champions Chris Davenport 2022 Secret Headquarters Hawaii 2023 May December Joe Yoo 2025 Warfare Jake 2026 Her Private Hell Private K 2027 Post-productionTBA Kent 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 (seasons 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 2026 Beef Austin Davis Main role (season 2)
Music videos Year Title Artist(s) 2016 "Save My Soul" JoJo 2019 "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" Ariana Grande 2025 "Love Hangover" Jennie featuring Dominic Fike 2026 "Jealous Lover" The Rolling Stones
Awards and nominations + Award ceremony Year Category Work Result Alliance of Women Film Journalists 2024 Best Supporting Actor May December Astra Film Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor Austin Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Actor British Independent Film Awards 2025 Best Ensemble Performance Warfare Boston Online Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor May December Boston Society of Film Critics 2023 Best Supporting Actor Capri Hollywood International Film Festival2023Breakthrough Actor Celebration of Cinema and Television 2023 Breakthrough Performance Award Chicago Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Most Promising Performer Chicago Indie Critics 2024 Best Supporting Actor Breakout Artist Columbus Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Performance Breakthrough Film Artist Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Denver Film Critics Society 2024 Best Supporting Performance by an Actor, Male DiscussingFilm Critic Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor Best Breakthrough Performance Dublin Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Actor Florida Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Supporting Actor Breakout Award Georgia Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Actor Breakthrough Award Golden Globe Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Gotham Awards 2023 Outstanding Supporting Performance Greater Western New York Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Breakthrough Performance Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards 2023 Best Supporting Performance Breakout of the Year Independent Spirit Awards 2024 Best Supporting Performance Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actor Latino Entertainment Journalists Association2023Best Supporting Actor London Film Critics' Circle 2024 Supporting Actor of the Year MTV Movie & TV Awards 2019 Best Kiss Riverdale Music City Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Actor May December National Society of Film Critics 2023 Best Supporting Actor New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actor New York Film Critics Online Awards 2023 Breakthrough Performer North Carolina Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Actor Best Breakthrough Performance North Dakota Film Society 2024 Best Supporting Actor North Texas Film Critics Association Awards 2023 Best Newcomer Online Association of Female Film Critics 2023 Best Supporting Actor Breakthrough Performance Online Film & Television Association2023Best Supporting ActorBreakthrough Performance: Male Philadelphia Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Supporting Actor Best Breakthrough Performance Primetime Emmy Awards 2026 Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series Beef Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie San Diego Film Critics Society 2023 Best Supporting Actor May December San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle 2024 Best Supporting Actor Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2024 Virtuoso Award Satellite Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Seattle Film Critics Society 2024 Best Supporting Actor St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actor Teen Choice Awards 2019 Choice Summer Movie Actor The Sun is Also a Star Toronto Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Performance May December Best Breakthrough Performance UK Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Utah Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Performance, Male Variety & Golden Globe's Breakthrough Artist Awards2023Breakthrough Artist Award Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actor Women Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Actor
Notes
References
External links