Melanie Mayron

Best-known for her intense portrayal of the free-spirited Melissa in the acclaimed ABC drama series "thirtysomething," the petite auburn-haired Mayron began her career touring the US in a production of "Godspell." She made her film debut as a teenage hitchhiker opposite Art Carney in "Harry and Tonto" (1974) and earned acclaim for her realistic portrait of a zaftig Jewish photographer whose roommate leaves to marry in Claudia Weill's "Girlfriends" (1978). Subsequent film appearances failed to capitalize on her unique appeal and, except for Costa-Gavras' "Missing" (1982), she was virtually wasted. Mayron joined director-screenwriter Catlin Adams to create HighTop Films, for which she produced the 1988 feature "Sticky Fingers," which failed to find an audience or strong critical response, and the 1988 award-winning short "Little Shiny Shoes."