Charles Melton Biography

Charles Melton is an American actor who rose to fame playing Reggie Mantle on the hit Netflix series Riverdale (2017–2023). After joining the cast in its second season, he quickly became a fan favorite, using the role as a springboard to a successful film career.

Born in Juneau, Alaska and raised in Manhattan, Kansas, Charles is of Korean and American heritage. Before pursuing acting, he attended Kansas State University on a football scholarship and later worked as a model, appearing in campaigns for major fashion brands before moving into television.

Following his breakout on Riverdale, Melton starred opposite Yara Shahidi in the romantic drama The Sun Is Also a Star (2019) and appeared in Bad Boys for Life (2020) alongside Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. He later took on supporting roles in projects including Netflix's Beef (2023) and Alex Garland's war drama Warfare (2025).

Charles earned widespread critical acclaim for his performance in Todd Haynes' May December (2023), starring opposite Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. His portrayal of Joe Yoo won the Gotham Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance and earned nominations from the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards, establishing him as one of Hollywood's rising leading men.

In 2026, he starred opposite Sophie Thatcher in Nicolas Winding Refn's psychological sci-fi thriller Her Private Hell.

Filmography:

Her Private Hell (2026)
Beef (Netflix) (2026)
Warfare (2025)
May December (Netflix) (2023)
Secret Headquarters (2022)
Heart of Champions (2021)
Bad Boys for Life (2020)
Mainstream (2020)
The Sun Is Also a Star (2019)
The Thinning: New World Order (2018)
Riverdale (Netflix) (2017–2023)
American Horror Stories (2021)
Poker Face (2023)
History of the World, Part II (2023)
American Horror Story: Hotel (2015–2016)
Glee (2014)