Melody Anderson

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 roles earned her a loyal following and cemented her place as a pop culture icon. But Melody’s second act proved equally inspiring. Stepping away from acting in the 1990s, she pursued a career in mental health, becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in both New York and California, as well as a Certified EMDR Clinician specializing in trauma and addiction. With thriving practices in Manhattan and Los Angeles, she has helped countless families navigate recovery and continues to lead therapy groups across Los Angeles. Anderson is also a sought-after international lecturer and media spokesperson on addiction, family dynamics, and trauma, bringing the same passion she once brought to the screen into her healing work.

To this day, Melody remains a beloved figure among fans. She regularly appears at conventions worldwide, often alongside her “Flash Gordon” co-star Sam J. Jones, where she continues to inspire audiences with her stories, charm, and resilience.