RON MELENDEZ

From the UPN series, "Legacy," to the starring role in the NBC pilot, "Merlyn," Ron Melendez graces the entertainment mediums with his charismatic appeal, boundless enthusiasm, and natural acting abilities. His range of experience in theatre, film and television has undeniably established him as one of the industry's most promising new talents. He was most recently seen guest starring in the season premiere of “Angel.”

Melendez last starred in the UPN drama, "Legacy," which centered on the 'Logans' of Lexington, Kentucky - an 1880's horse-breeding family with contemporary dilemmas. Although Melendez was originally considered for the role of the hardworking, yet hot-headed son, 'Clay,' his impressive audition won him the role of the adopted, rebellious teenager, 'Jeremy Bradford,' who Melendez described as "a pick-pocket, thief, card shark and hustler."

Straight off the heels of "Legacy," Melendez landed a starring role in "Merlyn," a one-hour pilot presentation for NBC and NBC Studios. He starred as the title character, 'John Merlyn,' an aspiring reporter who learns that he is the direct descendant of the fabled magician Merlyn, and who begrudgingly accepts the sword of Excalibur to battle the evil Morgan Lefay, who plots to take over the world.

Raised in West Covina, California, Melendez knew he wanted to be an actor since the sixth grade. "When I was growing up, going to the movies was like a big religious event in my family," says Melendez, who went to see a movie nearly every weekend. "My parents even took my brother and me out of school to see RETURN OF THE JEDI on the day it opened."

Although Melendez made his career choice while still a child, he did not venture into acting until his freshman year at Bishop Amat High School. At the urging of his friend's mother, the school's drama teacher, Melendez auditioned for the Spring musical, "West Side Story." What he lacked in vocal proficiency, however, he made up for in ambition. Landing the only two speaking roles, Melendez portrayed both 'Doc' and 'Officer Krupke.'

When Melendez turned 15, he made his professional debut in a Pepsi commercial that aired during the Academy Awards and starred pop diva, Madonna. "It was exciting to be dancing less than five feet away from her," says Melendez, who admits to a time when he had his closet door plastered with the singer's image.

After graduating from high school, Melendez attended UCLA where he studied English Literature and continued his acting endeavors. In addition to student film work, Melendez maintained a busy professional career in theatre, film and television.

At the Tiffany Theater in Los Angeles, Melendez appeared in John Landau's "Maps For Drowners." Starring opposite Lisa Kudrow ("Friends'), Melendez played 'Tal Parsons,' a surfer from Newport Beach who is awestruck in his New York surroundings. His other stage credits include "People Like Us" and post-modern adaptations of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" and "Measure for Measure."

His feature film credits include VOODOO, with Corey Feldman, Stephen King's CHILDREN OF THE CORN III, and THE UNBORN II. "I've been eaten by a mutant baby, sacrificed with a goat's hoof knife, and laid to rest in the morgue of a mental institution," he offers. "I think I've gotten my low-budget horror flicks out of the way."

On television, Melendez starred in NBC's telefilm "Perfect Body," as the not-so supportive boyfriend of an Olympic gymnast who succumbs to bulimia. He also appeared in "For My Daughter's Honor" and "Our Son the Matchmaker," with Ellen Burstyn and Ann Jillian. He has also guest-starred on such popular television series as "The Nanny," "Sliders," "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" and the daytime drama "General Hospital."

In his down time, Melendez spends his free time with family and friends playing ice hockey and water skiing.