Mary Ellen Harris, professionally known as Mel Harris, is an accomplished American actress, writer, and director, born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She spent her early years in New Jersey, where she was raised by her parents, a high school science teacher and a football coach at Princeton University. Harris's early career took an unexpected turn when she transitioned from a 12-year stint in the modeling world, living in New York and Europe, to the acting industry.
She has since appeared in numerous notable roles, including the critically acclaimed series Thirtysomething, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series. Her extensive television credits include starring roles in NBC's comedy Something So Right and the My Network drama series Saints and Sinners, as well as appearances on popular shows such as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and The West Wing.
Harris has also made a significant impact in the world of film, with notable credits including Brian De Palma's Raising Cain, K-9, Suture, The Pagemaster, and Wanted: Dead or Alive. Her work on the big screen has been a testament to her versatility and range as an actress.
In addition to her acting career, Harris has also made a name for herself on the stage. She made her New York debut at the Circle Repertory Company in the world premiere of John Bishop's Empty Hearts, earning a 1992 Theater World Award for her performance. Harris has also co-written several projects with her partner and husband, Emmy Award-winning writer/producer Bob Brush, under their production company Topanga Moon Productions.
