Melissa Ponzio is an American actress, best known for her roles as Melissa McCall on Teen Wolf and Karen on The Walking Dead. Ponzio has also starred in Chicago Fire as Donna Robbins-Boden.

Early life

She spent much of her youth in Florida, where she was active in school activities, serving as senior class president, yearbook editor, and a member of the swim team. After high school, she attended DeKalb Community College before transferring to Georgia State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in theatre.

Career

In the late 1990s, Ponzio began appearing in supporting guest roles on television series, including Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, Surface, Drop Dead Diva, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Gates, NCIS, The Following and Banshee. She also appeared in films The Greenskeeper (2002), Road Trip: Beer Pong (2009), Life as We Know It (2010) and Upside (2010).[citation needed]

Ponzio is known for her recurring roles as Angie on the Lifetime Television drama series Army Wives (2007–2009), and as Melissa McCall in the MTV teen drama Teen Wolf (2011–2017). In 2013, she had a recurring role as Karen in the AMC drama series The Walking Dead.

In September 2021, it was announced that a reunion film for Teen Wolf had been ordered by Paramount+, with Jeff Davis returning as a screenwriter and executive producer of the film. The majority of the original cast members, including Ponzio, were set to reprise their roles. The film was released on January 26, 2023.

Personal life

Ponzio's partner is fellow actor Kenny Alfonso.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1999Atlanta BlueMona
2002The GreenskeeperElena Rodriguez
2009Road Trip: Beer PongThe FareDirect-to-video
2010Life as We Know ItVictoria (stripper cousin)
UpsideDr. Leinman
2012Undocumented ExecutiveAnita Vasquez
2020Max and MeMelissa
2021Thunder ForceRachel Gonzales
2023Teen Wolf: The MovieMelissa McCall
2025WeaponsArcher's wife

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1999Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love StoryNew York executiveTelevision film
2001–2002Dawson's CreekRobin Ellsworth / female studentGuest role; 3 episodes
2003–2004One Tree HillAliceGuest role; 2 episodes
2005Warm SpringsLucy MercerTelevision film
2006SurfaceAnn TracyGuest role; 2 episodes
ThiefFlight attendantTelevision mini-series
2007–2009Army WivesAngieRecurring role
2007October RoadYoung girlEpisode: "Pilot"
K-VilleYasmine QuaidEpisode: "Critical Mass"
2008Little Britain USABarbaraEpisode: #1.03
2009My Fake FianceSales LadyTelevision film
Drop Dead DivaSelette GarnerEpisode: "Do Over"
The Vampire DiariesDaphneEpisode: "The Turning Point"
2010CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationSasha KatsarosEpisode: "The Panty Sniffer"
Past LifeDr. SteenEpisode: "Gone Daddy Gone"
The GatesGloria BennettEpisode: "Jurisdiction"
Marry MeEricaTelevision mini-series
2011Justice for Natalee HollowayDebra StanvilleTelevision film
Franklin & BashAnnie RossEpisode: "Pilot"
Necessary RoughnessLisa GenoveseEpisode: "Anchor Management"
NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative ServiceDrew TurnerEpisode: "Enemy on the Hill"
CSI: MiamiKathy JenningsEpisode: "Crowned"
2011–2017Teen WolfMelissa McCallRecurring role (seasons 1–5); main role (season 6)
2012TouchGwen DavisEpisode: "Gyre, Part 2"
2013Mary and MarthaAliceTelevision film
The Walking DeadKarenRecurring role (seasons 3–4)
The FollowingJoan GarciaEpisode: Pilot
BansheeJocelyn FrearsGuest role; 2 episodes
Second Generation WayansLorin SandlerGuest role; 2 episodes
2014–2021Chicago FireDonna Robbins-BodenRecurring role (seasons 2–9)
2018Cheerleader NightmarePaulaTelevision film
2019Killer ReputationRamonaTelevision film
2024The Big Door PrizeFreyaGuest role; 2 episodes (season 2)
2024Reasonable DoubtLucy WargoRecurring role (season 2)

External links