Mel Welles
Known for Acting · 66 credits
- Born
- 1924-02-17
- Died
- 2005-08-19
- Place of birth
- New York City, New York, USA
- Also known as
- Ira W. Meltcher
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mel Welles (February 17, 1924 - August 18, 2005) was an American film actor. His best-remembered role may be that of hapless flower shop owner Gravis Mushnik in the 1960 low-budget Roger Corman dark comedy, The Little Shop of Horrors (which featured Jack Nicholson as a masochistic dental patient).
Not much is known of Welles' early life, except that he was born Ira Meltcher in New York City. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School, in 1940. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University, a Master of Arts degree from West Virginia University, and a Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University.
Welles held a number of jobs during his lifetime; at one time or another he worked as a clinical psychologist, radio DJ, television actor, writer and film director. He did some stage work before traveling to Hollywood, where in 1953 he appeared in his first film, Appointment in Honduras. His favorite role (The Little Shop of Horrors) was also his last in the U.S. for many years.
In the early 1960s, he left the United States to act, produce and direct primarily in European film productions including the cult horror films Maneater of Hydra (1967) and Lady Frankenstein (1971). His fluency in five languages proved to be most helpful. He also served as a film consultant. Later he returned to the U.S., appearing in a number of films, doing voice work, and teaching voice acting.
Known For
TV Shows (14)
Maverick
1957
as Carlos
Have Gun, Will Travel
1957
Cheyenne
1955
The Lone Ranger
1949
as Sheriff Pender
The Ford Television Theatre
1952
as Fat Man
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Police Inspector Kafir
The Texan
1958
as Matt Lane
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
1958
Mr. Lucky
1959
as Hoodlum
I Led Three Lives
1953
The Walter Winchell File
1957
Private Secretary
1953
Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers
1956
Jungle Jim
1955
Movies (52)
The Last American Virgin
1982
as Druggist
Pushover
1954
as Detective (uncredited)
The Brothers Karamazov
1958
as Trifon Borissovitch
Gun Fury
1953
Wolfen
1981
as ESS Voice (voice)
Chopping Mall
1986
as Cook
The Silver Chalice
1954
as Marcos (uncredited)
Kismet
1955
as Beggar (uncredited)
Commando Squad
1987
as Quintano
Wyoming Renegades
1954
as 'Whiskey' Pearson
Howard
2018
as Gravis Mushnick (archive footage)
Hemingway’s Adventures of a Young Man
1962
as Italian Sergeant (uncredited)
The Racers
1955
as Fiori (uncredited)
Homework
1982
as Doctor
The Undead
1957
as Gravedigger Smolkin
Soldier of Fortune
1955
as Fernand Rocha
Flight to Hong Kong
1956
as Boris
The Little Shop of Horrors
1960
as Gravis Mushnick
Smokey Bites the Dust
1981
as Abu Habib Bibubu
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy
1955
as Iben
Attack of the Crab Monsters
1957
as Jules Deveroux
The Reluctant Saint
1962
Outside the Law
1956
as Milo
Duel on the Mississippi
1955
as Sheriff
Appointment in Honduras
1953
as Hidalgo (uncredited)
Rented Lips
1988
as Milo
Body and Soul
1981
as Joe Gillardi
Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II
1989
as Caedmon
The She Beast
1966
as Ladislav Groper
Jesse James vs. the Daltons
1954
Medium Rare
1987
as Doctor
The Fighting Chance
1955
as Al Moreno
The Big Knife
1955
as Mustached Party Guest
Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype
1980
as Dr. Vince Hinkle
Joyride to Nowhere
1977
as Tank McCall
The Truth About Lady Frankenstein
2007
as Self
Massacre Canyon
1954
as Gonzales
The 27th Day
1957
as Russian Marshal
The Shadow on the Window
1957
as Polikoff (uncredited)
High School Confidential!
1958
as Charlie O'Flair
Rock All Night
1957
as Sir Bop
Invasion Earth: The Aliens Are Here
1988
as Mr. Davar
Calling Homicide
1956
as Valensi (uncredited)
The Day the Hot Line Got Hot
1968
Spy Chasers
1955
as Nick
The Red Sheik
1962
as Hassan
Hell on Devil's Island
1957
as Felix Molyneaux
Piecing Together Lady Frankenstein
2018
Code of Silence
1960
Hold Back Tomorrow
1955
as First Guard
The Keeler Affair
1963
as Yevgeni Ivanovich
Spectreman versus Hedron
1984
as Various
About Mel Welles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mel Welles (February 17, 1924 - August 18, 2005) was an American film actor. His best-remembered role may be that of hapless flower shop owner Gravis Mushnik in the 1960 low-budget Roger Corman dark comedy, The Little Shop of Horrors (which featured Jack Nicholson as a masochistic dental patient). Not much is known of Welles' early life, except that he was born Ira Meltcher in New York City. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School, in 1940. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State U… With 66 credits spanning from 1949 to 2018, Mel Welles has appeared in 52 films and 14 TV shows.
Fans searching for Mel Welles movies, Mel Welles filmography, or the latest projects starring Mel Welles can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Mel Welles Movies
- The Last American Virgin (1982) — as Druggist
- Pushover (1954) — as Detective (uncredited)
- The Brothers Karamazov (1958) — as Trifon Borissovitch
- Gun Fury (1953)
- Wolfen (1981) — as ESS Voice (voice)
Where to Watch Mel Welles Films
Most Mel Welles movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Mel Welles, check our movies catalogue and browse page.