Born and raised in the entertainment-enriched hometown of great entertainers like, Grammy Award-Winning “Boys II Men,” Hip Hop’s first band, “The Roots,” America’s Favorite Dad “Bill Cosby,” Soulful Diva, “Patti Labelle” Hip Hop DJ, Jazzy Jeff, Actor-Producer-Director, “Kevin Bacon,” R&B King & Queen, “Jill Scott,” and “Music Soul Child,” Melissa Madison was also born in an artistic background of her very own. From a father who played an array of different musical instruments and a mother who performed as a professional stage actress and model in New York City, her broad creativity and style mirrors her bicultural heritage from both parents. “Both mentors, they made me realize that God has blessed me with my own artistic imagination and ingenuity to do what intrigued and inspired me from seeing them in front audiences.”
This gifted Philadelphia native has studied acting and the performing arts at several of the finest schools and theatres in town including Freedom Repertory Theatre, The Franklin Learning Center of the Performing Arts for Drama and Dance and Temple University’s Drama Department associated with Freedom Repertory Theatre’s summer programs. Madison also toured extensively with and graduated from Overbrook’s Music Magnet Program in West Philadelphia where she found herself in the company of up and coming talents such as actor-rapper, Will Smith and Music Industry’s top music video director, Benny Boom.
Receiving top grades in Biology and health science courses, Melissa decided to pursue a degree in Sports Therapy at a local college. After having completed a little over 2 years into her degree, her path suddenly took a detour after teaming up with several friends who attended the Creative and Performing Arts School (C.A.P.A.) to do a performance. Showcased at Temple University’s Thomlinson Theatre, the audience’s standing ovation for Melissa’s performance affirmed her spirit’s true desire and love. Packing her things, she left Philadelphia and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion…Acting!
Not long after arriving to California, Melissa knew she needed to hone her craft and would seek to study more intensely with some of Hollywood’s finest acting coaches. The list includes: Margie Haber, Chip Fields-Hurd, Richard Lyons and Ivana Chubbuck, who trained Halle Berry for Monster’s Ball, Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, as well as many others. Stepping out completely on faith, Melissa landed an agent only a few weeks after arriving in her new town and booked her first National commercial for Kellogg’s with a second to shortly follow. In addition to acquiring a love for voice-overs for Radio and Television, Melissa’s notable television appearance list includes multi-Emmy Award-winning shows such as David E. Kelly’s series “The Practice,” (ABC)Darren Star’s hit “Sex and the City” (HBO) and recently, a recurring role on NBC’s day-time drama hit “PASSIONS.”
Not leaving out her love for live performances and theatre, (where it all began) leading stage roles include Miss Annie of “The Miracle Worker” at the West Angeles Performing Arts Theatre in Los Angles and Dee Dee Rogers in their presentation of the “The Turning Point”. Back on the east coast, she was found in several theatres in “Cease Fire”, “Raisin in the Sun”, “The 8th Floor”, and “My Life or Yours” showing tremendous range in playing everything from a prosecuting attorney to a drug addict.
A tomboy at heart, Melissa’s hobbies include: touring islands, jet skiing, parasailing, cars, motorbikes, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles and of course shopping for shoes. She also loves to work with animals and children. Favorite actors are: Joan Crawford, Don Cheadle, Judy Garland, Lawrence Fishburne, and Gene Hackman. Favorite musical artists include Jazz legend, Mal Waldron, Diana Krall, India Arie, Slum Village, Fred Hammond and Smokey Norful. Born on January 1st, Melissa stands 5’6” with brown hair and brown eyes and resides on the East and West coast depending on the time of year.