Episode 137 – The True Hollywood Story of Melody Anderson: From Flash Gordon to Life Beyond Hollywood – Part 1
In the first half of this special two-part conversation, host Tony Miros chats with Canadian-born actress Melody Anderson—forever beloved by sci-fi fans as the fearless Dale Arden in the 1980 cult classic Flash Gordon!
Before Hollywood, Melody’s path was anything but typical. She worked as a journalist in Canada, then as a reporter in Australia—where she even interviewed celebrities at the airport—before discovering acting after hearing Uta Hagen perform Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Modeling and commercial work followed, including appearing in the very first Victoria’s Secret catalog, leading to her TV debut in Logan’s Run, a guest spot on Welcome Back, Kotter, and her big-screen break opposite Kurt Russell in John Carpenter’s Elvis.
Her Flash Gordon story is pure movie magic. Originally passed over for the role, Melody suddenly got a call from producer Dino De Laurentiis and was flown to England on a moment’s notice. With no script, costumes fitted for someone else, and elaborate sets designed by Danilo Donati, she was thrown into the action alongside Sam J. Jones, Max von Sydow, Timothy Dalton, Topol, and Brian Blessed. From painful wire rigs to improvising her now-iconic “Go, Flash, Go!” cheer—and watching Queen’s legendary soundtrack elevate the film—Melody relives it all.
She also recalls the kindness of her co-stars, from Timothy Dalton inviting her to brunch when she felt homesick, to Peter Wyngarde opening his home, to the spirited energy of Topol and Brian Blessed. There were scrapped scenes, rewrites, and plenty of improvisation, but the camaraderie made it unforgettable. Melody even had the chance to meet Freddie Mercury and Brian May, who left her with lasting memories.
MELODY ANDERSON
Melody Anderson is a Canadian-born former actress, social worker, and international public speaker whose career has spanned Hollywood stardom, global journalism, and groundbreaking work in mental health.
Best known to sci-fi fans as Dale Arden in the 1980 cult classic Flash Gordon, Anderson became a familiar face on both the big & small screens throughout the late 1970s & 1980s. She starred opposite Chuck Norris in Firewalker and was featured in films such as Dead and Buried, Beverly Hills Madam, Policewoman Centerfold, and Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter. On television, she guest-starred in classics like Dallas, CHiPS, The Love Boat, T.J. Hooker, The Fall Guy, The A-Team, and Murder, She Wrote. Her final film role came in 1993’s Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair, where she portrayed her childhood idol, Marilyn Monroe.
Anderson’s journey to acting was unconventional. After earning a Journalism degree from Carleton University, she worked briefly as a CBC reporter before traveling through Southeast Asia and Australia, where she interviewed celebrities and discovered her passion for performance. Modeling & commercial work soon followed, including appearances in the very first Victoria’s Secret catalog, before she transitioned to film and television.
In the 1990s, Anderson shifted her focus to a new calling—mental health. She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both New York and California and a Certified EMDR Clinician specializing in trauma and addiction. Today, she remains a beloved pop culture figure, often appearing at conventions alongside her Flash Gordon co-star Sam J. Jones, inspiring fans worldwide.
Melody Anderson Official Websites – https://counselingbymelody.com and https://melodyanderson.com
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Melody Anderson
Actress / Clinical Social Worker / Public Speaker
Melody Anderson is a Canadian-born former actress, social worker, and international public speaker whose remarkable career has spanned Hollywood stardom, global journalism, and groundbreaking work in mental health.
Best known to sci-fi fans worldwide as Dale Arden in the 1980 cult classic “Flash Gordon”, Anderson lit up both the big and small screens throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. She starred opposite Chuck Norris in “Firewalker”, shared the screen with Nicolas Cage in “The Boy in Blue”, and appeared in fan favorites like “Dead and Buried”, “Beverly Hills Madam”, “Policewoman Centerfold”, and “Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter.” On television, she was everywhere—popping up on iconic shows such as “Dallas,” “CHiPS,” “The Love Boat,” “T.J. Hooker,” “The Fall Guy,” “The A-Team,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and even as a “Sweathog girl” on “Welcome Back, Kotter.” Her final film role came in 1993 with “Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair,” where she took on the challenge of portraying her childhood idol, Marilyn Monroe.
Anderson’s path to Hollywood wasn’t a straight line. After earning a degree in Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa, she worked briefly as a CBC on-air reporter before traveling through Southeast Asia and Australia—where she found herself interviewing celebrities at airports and eventually catching the acting bug. Modeling soon followed, with Anderson appearing in commercials, the very first Victoria’s Secret catalog, and as the face of Rigid Tools before breaking into film and television.
Her fearless spirit and adventurous… Read More
