Melanie Hutsell was born in Maryville, Tennessee, situated at the foothills of the Smokey Mountains, near the renowned Dollywood, a theme park that celebrates Appalachian culture and heritage. As a shy child, Melanie gradually emerged from her shell as the years passed, her confidence growing with each new experience. When her Freshman English teacher requested a soliloquy from "Romeo and Juliet", Melanie was initially terrified, but her teacher's encouragement inspired her to explore the world of theater. This marked the beginning of her journey, which would eventually lead her to discover her true passion.
Melanie's favorite role was that of the Wicked Witch of the West, a testament to her affinity for the dramatic arts. She went on to study drama at The University of Tennessee for two years, honing her craft and preparing herself for the challenges that lay ahead. It was during this period that she stumbled upon a book about "The Second City", a renowned improvisational comedy troupe, and knew instinctively that this was the path she was meant to follow.
Despite her parents' reservations, Melanie made the bold decision to move to Chicago, where she enrolled in Second City and had the privilege of studying under the guidance of the esteemed Mr. Mick Napier, one of the most accomplished improv teachers in the industry. At the behest of her mentor, Melanie co-founded "The Annoyance Theatre", a pioneering comedy institution that continues to thrive to this day.
Her performances in "The Real Live Brady Bunch" and "The Miss Vagina Pageant" caught the attention of SNL talent scout Marci Klein and ultimately, Lorne Michaels, securing her an audition for Saturday Night Live. At the tender age of 23, Melanie was hired as a cast member from 1991 to 1994, where she played the role of Jan Brady, a lovable yet eccentric Tri-delta sorority girl, alongside Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Beth Cahill, Tori Spelling, Monica Seles, and Tonya Harding.
Following her stint on SNL, Melanie relocated to Los Angeles, where she continued to pursue her acting career and, in the process, fell in love and married Fred Rapoport, a talented composer who owns his own music production company, Static Music. The couple has two wonderful children, Carly and Leo.
Melanie's most recent impersonation is that of the Queen of Southern Cooking, Miss Paula Deen, which she had the pleasure of surprising the real Miss Paula with during an episode of Kiddin' Around in 2009. This experience was a thrill for Melanie, who has a deep appreciation for the art of comedy and the joy it brings to audiences.
In addition to her work as an actress, Melanie is also an aspiring screenwriter, with a passion for storytelling and character development. Her latest projects include roles in the TV series United States of Tara, Bridesmaids, and the CMT sitcom Working Class, alongside Melissa Peterman. Melanie has also written, produced, and acted in a short film called "Harold and Hilda Jo", which is slated for release in 2011.
Despite her many accomplishments, Melanie's greatest heartache is missing her family in Tennessee, to whom she remains deeply devoted. She makes it a point to return home as often as possible, drawing strength and inspiration from her southern roots, which continue to play a significant role in her identity.
