Melanie is an actress and producer passionate about bringing more empathy to this world through her work. In line with that mission, she uses her platforms both on-screen and behind the camera to share powerful and diverse stories about women and minorities. She is best known for her work as “Malaya Pineda” on CBS’s CODE BLACK and as Mel in the pathbreaking Comedy Central feature film HOT MESS HOLIDAY, which she also executive produced alongside Surina Jindal and Kal Penn.
Born in Illinois, Melanie graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering while studying improvisational comedy on the side.
Post-graduation, she landed a high-profile corporate job, which she eventually quit to pursue her childhood dream of acting. She quickly landed a series of television roles including guest appearances on Rules of Engagement, Parenthood, and Nashville and large recurring roles on Netflix's Brown Nation and HBO's The Brink. Early in her career, she also became one of the five faces of Bare Escentuals “Be a Force of Beauty” campaign, making her one of the first Indian American women to ever be the face of a global cosmetics campaign.
From 2015 to 2017, she played the series regular role of Dr. Malaya Pineda on the CBS medical drama Code Black. Her credits also include Law & Order SVU, New Amsterdam, and the upcoming feature Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, which will premiere at Sundance 2023.
Melanie is also a producer for several different projects and shows. One of her latest projects, with South Asian women in the forefront, is in development with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.
Melanie is the co-founder of the not-for-profit Hospital for Hope India, which provides health care services to under-served villagers in rural India. She also holds a 2nd-degree black belt in Karate and is a trained pianist.
Follow Melanie on Twitter and Instagram!
Photographer: Corey Hayes