Charles Melton Biography: Age, Height, Girlfriend, Net Worth, Movies and TV Shows in 2026

Charles Melton is an American actor and former model best known for his breakout role as Reggie Mantle on The CW’s hit series Riverdale and his critically acclaimed performance in Todd Haynes’ May December. From his early days as a football player in Kansas to becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men, Melton has built a versatile career across television and film. As of 2026, he continues to gain momentum with major film projects like A24’s Warfare and a growing reputation for powerful dramatic roles.

Quick Facts

If you enjoy following Charles Melton’s career, you will also like trending actors with similar journeys from teen dramas to prestige films, including KJ Apa, Cole Sprouse, Ross Butler, Noah Centineo, Austin Butler, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson. These stars have also successfully moved from television fame to major Hollywood films.

Early Life & Education

Charles Michael Melton was born on January 4, 1991, in Juneau, Alaska, USA. His father, Phil Melton, is of English and Cherokee descent and his mother, Sukyong Melton, is a Korean immigrant. His father worked for the military, which meant the family moved frequently during his childhood. After living in Alaska, they eventually settled in Manhattan, Kansas, where Charles spent most of his formative years.

Growing up in Kansas, Melton was a standout athlete. He attended Manhattan High School where he excelled as a football player and was known for his discipline and competitive spirit. His athletic ability earned him a spot at Kansas State University, where he played as a defensive back for the Wildcats football team under coach Bill Snyder. While he initially planned to pursue a career in football, his interests began to shift toward entertainment and modeling.

At age 20, Melton made a bold decision to leave Kansas State University and move to Los Angeles to pursue acting and modeling. He studied acting while supporting himself through modeling jobs. He has often credited his mother’s work ethic and his father’s military background for instilling resilience and focus, qualities that helped him navigate the early struggles of Hollywood. His mixed heritage also shaped his perspective, and he has spoken about the importance of representing Asian-American identity in mainstream media.

Career Journey

Charles Melton biography is marked by a steady rise from modeling and small television guest spots to leading roles in major studio films and award-winning independent cinema. His career shows a clear evolution from teen heartthrob to serious dramatic actor.

Modeling Beginnings and Early Acting Roles (2014-2017)

Melton started his career as a successful model. He was signed with major agencies and booked campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Kenneth Cole, and Armani. His modeling work gave him visibility and helped him secure auditions for television. His first on-screen appearances came in 2014 with guest roles on popular shows. He appeared as Model in an episode of Glee and later played Mr. Wu in two episodes of American Horror Story: Hotel in 2015-2016. These early roles were small but gave him valuable experience on professional sets.

During this period, he also worked on short films and independent projects while taking acting classes. He faced many rejections, but his persistence paid off when he began auditioning for larger network roles.

Breakthrough as Reggie Mantle on Riverdale (2017-2023)

Melton’s major breakthrough came in 2017 when he was cast as Reggie Mantle in The CW’s teen drama Riverdale, based on the Archie Comics characters. He replaced actor Ross Butler, who left the show due to scheduling conflicts with 13 Reasons Why. Melton joined the cast in Season 2 and was promoted to series regular in Season 3, remaining with the show until its final seventh season in 2023.

As Reggie Mantle, the cocky yet loyal jock and later business-savvy character, Melton became a fan favorite. The show was a global hit for The CW and Netflix, giving him international recognition and a massive social media following. While on Riverdale, he balanced the demanding shooting schedule in Vancouver with auditions for film roles, using his hiatus periods to build his movie career.

Transition to Film and Critical Acclaim (2018-2023)

Melton made his feature film debut as Daniel Bae in The Sun Is Also a Star (2019) opposite Yara Shahidi. The Warner Bros. romantic drama, based on Nicola Yoon’s bestselling novel, showcased his ability to carry a film as a romantic lead. Although the film had modest box office results, his performance was praised for its charm and emotional depth.

He followed this with a role in Bad Boys for Life (2020) alongside Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, playing Rafe, which exposed him to a large action-movie audience. He also starred in the independent sports drama Heart of Champions (2021).

The turning point in his film career came with Todd Haynes’ psychological drama May December (2023), where he starred opposite Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. Melton played Joe Yoo, a young husband grappling with the fallout of his wife’s past scandal. His subtle, heartbreaking performance earned widespread critical acclaim. He won the Gotham Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor, and received nominations for a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award. The role completely reshaped how the industry viewed him, moving him from teen TV star to awards-contender.

Recent Activity and Major Projects in 2026

Following the success of May December, Charles Melton’s career entered a new prestige phase. In 2024 and 2025, he filmed Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s highly anticipated A24 war film Warfare, an intense, real-time ensemble drama based on true events from the Iraq War. The film premiered in early 2025 and continued its festival and awards run into 2026, with Melton receiving praise for his physically demanding and emotionally grounded performance as part of a Navy SEAL platoon.

Throughout 2026, Melton has been active on the global press tour for Warfare, appearing at major film festivals and talk shows to discuss the film’s realistic portrayal of combat and brotherhood. Interviews in 2026 highlight his dedication to the role, which involved months of military training and working closely with veterans.

In addition to Warfare, Melton is attached to several upcoming projects in 2026. He has been cast in an upcoming A24 romantic drama and is developing a limited series where he will serve as both actor and executive producer. He has also returned to fashion, fronting campaigns for luxury brands and appearing on the cover of major magazines in early 2026. His focus remains on choosing complex, character-driven roles that challenge stereotypes for Asian-American actors in Hollywood.

Career Stats: Movies and TV Shows

Charles Melton has built a diverse filmography across television and film since 2014. Below is a complete list of his major credits.

Filmography – Movies

• 2018 – The Thinning: New World Order as Cage
• 2019 – The Sun Is Also a Star as Daniel Bae (Lead Role)
• 2020 – Bad Boys for Life as Rafe
• 2021 – Heart of Champions as Chris Davenport
• 2023 – May December as Joe Yoo
• 2025 – Warfare as Jake (Ensemble Lead)
• 2026 – Upcoming A24 Untitled Drama (Filming / Post-Production)

Filmography – Television Shows

• 2014 – Glee as Model (Episode: “The New Rachel”)
• 2015-2016 – American Horror Story: Hotel as Mr. Wu (2 Episodes)
• 2017-2023 – Riverdale as Reggie Mantle (Main Role, Seasons 2-7, 80+ Episodes)
• 2023 – Poker Face as Davis McDowell (Episode: “Time of the Monkey”)

Personal Life

Charles Melton keeps his personal life relatively private, but he has shared insights about his family, relationships, and interests in interviews.

Family

Melton is very close to his family. His father Phil and mother Sukyong have been supportive of his career shift from football to acting. He has a younger sister, Tammie Melton, who is also an actress and model. The siblings often appear together at events and support each other’s work. He frequently credits his mother, who immigrated from Korea, as his biggest inspiration and has spoken about the challenges she faced and the values she passed on to him.

Relationships and Girlfriend in 2026

As of 2026, Charles Melton is reportedly single and focused on his film career. He is not publicly dating anyone and has not confirmed a girlfriend. He prefers to keep his romantic life out of the spotlight following high-profile past relationships.

His most notable relationship was with his Riverdale co-star Camila Mendes. The two began dating in late 2018 after playing love interests on the show and made several public appearances together before breaking up in December 2019. They briefly reconciled in 2021 before ending things again. He was later linked to actress Chloe Bennet in 2021-2022, with the pair photographed together on several occasions, though neither officially confirmed the relationship for long.

Since 2023, Melton has been linked to various dating rumors, but he has not made any relationship public. In 2026 interviews, he has emphasized personal growth, therapy, and focusing on work over dating.

Dating History / Affairs

• Camila Mendes (2018-2019, briefly 2021) – Co-star on Riverdale
• Chloe Bennet (2021-2022) – Actress, rumored relationship

Hobbies and Community Involvement

Outside of acting, Melton is passionate about fitness and maintains a rigorous workout routine, often sharing training clips related to his roles. He enjoys photography, basketball, and traveling. He is also involved in community work, supporting organizations that promote Asian-American representation in entertainment and mental health awareness. He has participated in charity basketball games and youth mentorship programs in Kansas and Los Angeles.

Awards & Achievements

• 2023 – Gotham Independent Film Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance – May December (Won)
• 2023 – New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor – May December (Won)
• 2023 – National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor – May December (Runner-up)
• 2024 – Golden Globe Nomination for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – May December (Nominated)
• 2024 – Critics’ Choice Movie Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor – May December (Nominated)
• 2024 – Screen Actors Guild Award Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast – May December (Nominated as ensemble)
• 2019 – Teen Choice Award Nomination for Choice Summer Movie Actor – The Sun Is Also a Star (Nominated)

Physical Statistics

Charles Melton is known for his athletic build and striking features, which helped him succeed in both modeling and acting.

• Height: 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm)
• Weight: Approximately 181 pounds (82 kg)
• Chest: 42 inches
• Waist: 32 inches
• Biceps: 15.5 inches
• Body Type: Athletic / Muscular
• Hair Color: Black
• Eye Color: Dark Brown
• Shoe Size: 11 (US)
• Skin Tone: Light to Medium

Quotes

“I want to tell stories that make people feel seen, especially kids who look like me and didn’t see themselves on screen growing up.”

“Football taught me discipline, but acting taught me empathy. You have to understand someone completely different from yourself.”

“Success for me isn’t about fame. It’s about doing work that scares me and working with people who inspire me to be better.”

Controversies

Charles Melton has maintained a largely controversy-free public image. Unlike many young stars from teen dramas, he has avoided major scandals. The only minor controversy he faced was in 2018 when old tweets resurfaced that contained fat-shaming language from his teenage years. Melton quickly issued a sincere public apology, taking full responsibility and stating that he had grown and learned from his past ignorance. The apology was widely accepted by fans and media, and he has since used his platform to promote body positivity and kindness.

He has otherwise been praised for his professionalism on set and his respectful handling of press and fan interactions.

Favorites

• Favorite Food: Korean BBQ, especially his mother’s cooking
• Favorite Sport: Football and Basketball
• Favorite Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, Denzel Washington
• Favorite Movie: Good Will Hunting
• Favorite Color: Black and Navy Blue
• Favorite Travel Destination: Seoul, South Korea and Hawaii
• Favorite Hobby: Working out, Photography
• Favorite Brand: Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana

Earnings & Net Worth in 2026

Charles Melton net worth in 2026 is estimated to be between $2.5 million and $4 million. His earnings come from multiple sources, including television salaries, film fees, modeling contracts, and brand endorsements.

During his time on Riverdale, his salary reportedly grew from around $20,000 per episode in early seasons to over $40,000 per episode by the final seasons, contributing significantly to his early wealth. His film fees increased substantially after May December. For independent films like May December, his fee was modest but the critical acclaim led to higher offers for subsequent projects. For Warfare and his upcoming 2026 projects, industry benchmarks suggest he now commands mid-six-figure fees per film, plus backend participation for streaming releases.

Additional income comes from modeling and endorsements. He has worked with luxury fashion houses and appeared in campaigns that pay between $50,000 to $200,000 per contract. In 2026, his renewed fashion presence and magazine covers continue to add to his annual earnings, which are estimated at $500,000 to $800,000 per year from all sources combined.

Interesting Facts

• He was born in Juneau, Alaska, but considers Manhattan, Kansas his hometown.
• He was a talented football player and once dreamed of playing in the NFL before choosing acting.
• He is the first Korean-American and Cherokee actor to play Reggie Mantle in the Archie Comics universe.
• He did not have formal acting training before moving to Los Angeles and learned largely through on-the-job experience and coaching.
• He is a trained dancer and showed his skills in several Riverdale musical episodes.
• He is close friends with several Riverdale cast members, including KJ Apa and Camila Mendes, despite their breakup.
• He meditates and journals daily to stay grounded amid Hollywood pressures.
• He voiced his desire to one day direct and produce stories centered on mixed-race identity.

Did You Know Already?

• Charles Melton originally auditioned for the role of Jughead Jones on Riverdale before being cast as Reggie Mantle a year later.
• He left Kansas State University with just a few credits left to graduate, a decision he has called both terrifying and the best he ever made.
• For his role in May December, he gained weight and studied hours of interview footage to capture his character’s quiet anxiety.
• He served as a model for Dolce & Gabbana’s 2017 Spring/Summer campaign before his acting breakthrough.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @melton – Verified Official Account
• X (Twitter): @CharlesMelton – Verified Official Account
• Facebook: Charles Melton Official
• IMDb: Charles Melton on IMDb

Note: Always verify the blue checkmark for official accounts. Charles Melton is not active on TikTok or LinkedIn with verified personal profiles as of 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Charles Melton biography reflects an inspiring journey of transformation, from a small-town football player to a respected Hollywood actor. With his dedication, talent, and choice of meaningful roles, he has proven that he is far more than a teen drama star. As he continues to take on challenging projects in 2026 and beyond, his career is one to watch closely. If you found this biography helpful, please share it with fellow fans and explore more celebrity profiles on our site.

Key Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, People Magazine, A24 Official Press Materials