Charles Melton Net Worth In 2025: What New Roles Reveal
Charles Melton Net Worth covered with verified 2025 details, outlining earnings from acting, major awards attention, and upcoming projects shaping his growth.
Dec 02, 20253K Shares48K Views
Charles Melton was born in 1991 in Juneau, Alaska, to Sukyong and Phil Melton. His mother, Sukyong, is originally from South Korea, and his father, Phil, is from Oklahoma; his father served in the U.S. Army. Melton is the eldest of three children and grew up with two younger sisters, Tammie and Patricia.
Melton spent his childhood moving frequently as a military brat. His family lived in multiple U.S. states and abroad including time in South Korea and Germany before settling in Kansas. For example, he lived in Alaska, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and Germany while growing up. One of the few constants in his early years was going to the movies with his father; after seeing The Matrixin third grade he excitedly told his dad, “Dad, I want to be in the movies”.
When the family finally settled in Kansas, Melton attended Manhattan High School in Manhattan, Kansas. He later studied at Kansas State University.
| Full Name | Charles Michael Melton |
| Birth Year | 1991 |
| Birthplace | Juneau, Alaska, USA |
| Parents | Mother: Sukyong (South Korean), Father: Phil (Oklahoma, U.S. Army) |
| Siblings | Two younger sisters: Tammie and Patricia |
| Modeling Start | Signed with Wilhelmina Models at age 20 |
| Fashion Work | Modeled for Dolce & Gabbana, Kenneth Cole, MAC |
| Early Screen Roles | Glee (2014 cameo), AHS: Hotel (2015–2016) |
| Breakthrough Role | Reggie Mantle on Riverdale (2017–2023) |
| Feature Film Debut | Lead role in The Sun Is Also a Star (2019) |
| Notable Films | Bad Boys for Life (2020), Heart of Champions (2021), Secret Headquarters (2022) |
| Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $3M–$7M from acting & modeling work |
Early Career
Charles Melton began his professional journey in the fashion industry. At age 20 he moved to New York City and quickly signed with Wilhelmina Models, booking campaigns and runway shows for major designers. He modeled for brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Kenneth Cole and MAC, establishing a successful fashion career.
In 2014 Melton relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time. His earliest screen appearances were guest roles on TV: a cameo as a model in an episode of Glee(2014) and a multi-episode part as “Mr. Wu” on American Horror Story: Hotel(2015–2016). These small roles marked his transition from modeling to acting and gave him initial exposure in Hollywood.
Career Growth & Key Roles
Melton’s breakthrough came with the CW teen drama Riverdale. In 2017 he was cast as Reggie Mantle during the show’s second season, replacing the original actor. After recurring in season 2, he became a full series regular from season 3 onward. Riverdaleran through 2023 and earned Melton widespread recognition. His portrayal of Reggie Mantle made him a young television star; he later remarked that he “learned so much being on that show for six years,” highlighting the experience and relationships gained during the run. The role raised his profile significantly and brought a large fan following.
Building on his TV success, Melton took on several film roles. He made his feature film debut as the male lead, Daniel Bae, in the 2019 YA romance The Sun Is Also a Star. This Warner Bros. production cast him opposite Yara Shahidi, and Melton’s starring role marked a milestone as one of the first times a Korean-American actor led a major-studio teen romance film.
He then appeared in the blockbuster sequel Bad Boys for Life(2020), playing the son of a main villain. In 2021 he co-starred in the football drama Heart of Champions, portraying a college athlete striving for a championship. He also joined the cast of the Netflix adventure Secret Headquarters(2022) and made guest appearances on TV series such as an episode of Poker Face(2023). These roles demonstrated Melton’s range across genres, from teen romance to action and sports dramas.
Major Achievements
Melton’s work has earned critical praise and industry honors, especially for his recent dramatic turn. In the Todd Haynes drama May December(2023), he co-starred alongside Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, playing a complex supporting role. Critics hailed his performance, and he received a string of awards and nominations. Melton won the Gotham Award for Best Supporting Performance and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor for May December.
He also earned nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globe Awards (2024) and the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. These accolades marked Melton’s first major acting awards and underscored his successful transition to serious film roles. In addition to awards, Melton’s career achievements include breaking representation barriers: his lead role in The Sun Is Also a Starmade him one of the first Asian-American actors to head a major Hollywood teen romance. Industry veterans have lauded his talents, and Melton himself has emphasized his dedication to film: he has said “making films is not what I do it’s who I am,” reflecting his commitment to his craft.
Recent Developments
Most recently, Melton’s profile has continued to rise. The release of May Decemberin late 2023 brought him into awards-season conversations and led to nationwide recognition. He attended film festivals and awards ceremonies for the project, even walking the Golden Globe red carpet with his mother, a gesture widely noted in the press.
Following this success, Melton has lined up several high-profile projects. He is set to appear in Warfare, an A24 war film directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, scheduled for release in 2025. He has also been cast alongside Elizabeth Olsen in the Todd Solondz comedy Love Child(details to be announced).
On television, Melton will join the second season of Netflix’s hit series Beef, starring Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan; he is credited as one of the new leads. Additionally, he is attached to star in a Nicolas Winding Refn thriller (a remake of Her Private Hell) with actress Sophie Thatcher. These upcoming roles indicate Melton’s continued expansion into varied and challenging material, building on the experience he gained during his early television years.
Charles Melton Fortune
As of 2025, Charles Melton’s net worth is estimated to be between $3 million and $7 million according to entertainment net-worth sources. As an American actor and former model, Melton is best known for playing Reggie Mantle on the CW series Riverdale(2017–present) and has appeared in films like The Sun Is Also a Star(2019) and Bad Boys for Life(2020). Early in his career, he modeled for brands such as Kenneth Cole and Dolce & Gabbana. These acting roles and modeling deals form the basis of his reported wealth.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles