Charles Melton’s $7 Million Net Worth and the Movies and TV Shows That Built It

Charles Melton has quietly become one of the most compelling actors of his generation. Best known for his six-season run as Reggie Mantle on The CW’s Riverdale, Melton has since proven himself far more than a teen drama heartthrob.

His critically acclaimed performance in Todd Haynes’ May December (2023) earned him a Golden Globe nomination and a Gotham Award win, while his recent turn in the second season of Netflix’s Beef has cemented his reputation as a serious, transformative performer.

Born to a Korean mother and an American military father, Melton spent his childhood moving between bases in Alaska, Korea, Germany, Texas, and Kansas before leaving college football behind to pursue acting. That leap of faith has paid off handsomely.

As his star continues to rise, fans want to know about Charles Melton’s net worth, his biggest movie and television roles, his height, and his personal life. Here is a detailed look at all of those questions.

Charles Melton Net Worth

Charles Melton has an estimated net worth of $7 million as of 2026. This figure reflects a career that has grown steadily over the past decade, encompassing television, film, advertising, and high-fashion modeling.

Charles Melton while posing in an advertisement for Davidoff Parfums (Photo: Instagram)

Melton’s wealth has been built through several income streams. His longest-running role was on Riverdale, where he appeared as Reggie Mantle from 2017 to 2023, first as a recurring character in season two and then as a series regular from season three onward.

A seven-season commitment on a popular network series provides a stable financial base for any actor, and Riverdale was consistently one of The CW’s most-watched shows during its tenure. Before acting, Melton worked successfully as a fashion model.

He booked campaigns for major brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Kenneth Cole, and MAC Cosmetics, work that not only paid the bills during his early years in Los Angeles but also established him as a face to watch.

His modeling income helped sustain him through the audition circuit before he landed his breakthrough television role. Melton’s film career has then added considerably to his net worth.

He starred as Daniel Bae in the 2019 romance The Sun Is Also a Star, making history as the first Korean-American actor to lead a teen romance film from a major Hollywood studio. In 2020, he appeared as Rafe in Bad Boys for Life, which grossed over $426 million at the global box office.

His acclaimed performance as Joe Yoo in the 2023 Netflix drama May December earned him nominations for a Golden Globe and a Critics’ Choice Award, significantly raising his industry profile and future earning potential.

Charles Melton alongside his mother, Sukyong Melton, at the premiere of ‘May December’ (Photo: Instagram)

Today, Melton’s annual income is estimated to be between $600,000 and $1.1 million. Some sources place his net worth at around $4 million or $5 million, but the $7 million estimate from Celebrity Net Worth is the most widely cited figure.

Breakout Role: Reggie Mantle on Riverdale

Charles Melton’s breakthrough came in 2017 when he was cast as Reggie Mantle in the second season of The CW’s Riverdale. The part originally belonged to Ross Butler, who left the series after the first season due to his commitment to another Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why.

Melton stepped into the role of the swaggering football captain and occasional antagonist, and he quickly made it his own. Reggie Mantle was a complex character: part bully, part loyal friend, and full-time schemer.

Melton brought a sharp comedic timing and an undercurrent of vulnerability to the role that elevated what could have been a one-dimensional jock stereotype. He appeared as a recurring character in season two and was promoted to series regular status from season three through the show’s seventh and final season in 2023.

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Over those six years, he appeared in dozens of episodes, becoming one of the most recognizable faces on the series. The role made him a household name among young audiences and gave him the platform to pursue larger film opportunities.

Biggest Roles: From The Sun Is Also a Star to May December

As Riverdale grew in popularity, Melton began booking film roles that showcased his range beyond the halls of Riverdale High.

The Sun Is Also a Star (2019)

Melton’s first feature film lead came in this adaptation of Nicola Yoon’s best-selling young adult novel. He starred opposite Yara Shahidi as Daniel Bae, a Korean-American teenager who falls in love with a Jamaican girl (Shahidi) over the course of a single day in New York City.

The role was historically significant: Melton became the first Asian-American actor to headline a teen romance film from a major studio. He earned a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice Summer Movie Actor for his performance.

Bad Boys for Life (2020)

Melton joined the Bad Boys franchise in its third installment, playing Rafe, a member of AMMO, a modern, highly specialized police unit that collides with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s old-school detectives. The film was a massive commercial success, grossing $426.5 million worldwide, and it introduced Melton to a much broader, action-oriented audience.

May December (2023)

This is the film that changed everything for Melton. Directed by Todd Haynes, May December stars Julianne Moore as Gracie, a woman who was imprisoned for sexually abusing a middle-school boy, and Natalie Portman as an actress preparing to play Gracie in a biopic.

Melton plays Joe Yoo, now in his mid-thirties, who married Gracie after the scandal and is raising their children together. To play Joe, a man emotionally frozen in adolescence by trauma, Melton gained 40 pounds and adopted a stooped, guarded physicality that conveyed a lifetime of suppressed pain.

The performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor, wins at the Gotham Awards, the New York Film Critics Circle, and the National Society of Film Critics, and widespread acclaim.

Natalie Portman later said she did not realize how charismatic Melton was in real life because he stayed so completely in character during filming. He said of the role, “I was like, ‘Oh, I get this guy.’ Wanting to disappear. I get not wanting to take up space.” The Academy Award nomination that many expected did not materialize, but the performance established Melton as a serious actor of remarkable depth.

Warfare (2025)

Melton starred in this A24 war drama, directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, based on a real Navy SEAL surveillance mission in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. The film required an intense weeks-long boot camp alongside co-stars Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, and Kit Connor. Melton’s preparation focused on authenticity rather than aesthetics, with his trainer noting that Navy SEALs do not look like bodybuilders.

Recent Role: Beef Season 2 on Netflix

Charles Melton stars as Austin in the second season of Netflix’s critically acclaimed anthology series Beef, which premiered on April 16, 2026. Created by Lee Sung Jin, the new season features an entirely new cast and storyline.

Melton and Cailee Spaeny play a young Gen-Z couple working at an exclusive country club who witness a violent altercation between their boss (Oscar Isaac) and his wife (Carey Mulligan), setting off a chain of events that spirals into chaos.

Austin is a former Arizona State football star and Butkus Award winner turned personal trainer. Melton, a former football player himself, drew from his own athletic background and his mother’s Korean mannerisms to shape the character.

He recorded his mother’s voice for a phone call scene and described Austin as a man who is “fighting to be kind,” in service to everyone around him. Lee Sung Jin said he was so impressed by Melton’s commitment that he compared the actor’s intensity in ADR sessions to that of Parasite star Song Kang-ho.

The role has been praised for its subtlety. Melton does not steal scenes; he anchors them. Lee noted that Melton “shouldn’t be reaching for the jokes” and played every moment as real, which is what makes the show’s unique tone work.

The second season of Beef further demonstrates Melton’s ability to disappear into a character, a quality that has become the hallmark of his career.

Other Notable Movies and TV Shows

Melton’s full filmography reflects a steady climb through Hollywood. Here is a broader look at his work on both the big and small screens.

Early Television Roles

Melton made his acting debut in 2014 with a brief appearance on Glee, playing a model in the episode ‘New New York.’ He followed that with a recurring role as Mr. Wu across two episodes of American Horror Story: Hotel (2015–2016). These guest spots were small but significant, marking his transition from modeling to acting.

Film Roles

• The Thinning: New World Order (2018): A YouTube Premium web film in which Melton played Cage.
• Mainstream (2020): A cameo appearance as himself in the Gia Coppola-directed satire.
• Heart of Champions (2021): A sports drama in which Melton played Chris Davenport, a college rower.
• Secret Headquarters (2022): A Paramount+ superhero family film starring Owen Wilson, in which Melton played Hawaii.
• Poker Face (2023): A guest appearance as Davis McDowell in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed Peacock mystery series.

Upcoming Projects

• Love Child: An upcoming film co-starring Elizabeth Olsen.
• Saturn Return: A Netflix romance reuniting Melton with Warfare co-star Will Poulter.
• Her Private Hell (2026): An upcoming film with Sophie Thatcher and Havana Rose Liu.
• Audition: A film adaptation of Katie Kitamura’s novel, in which Melton will star opposite Lucy Liu.
• K-Pop: Lost in America: A comedy about a K-Pop group that finds themselves stranded in Texas before their American debut at Madison Square Garden.

Some facts about Charles Melton

Personal Life and Family

Charles Melton was born Charles Michael Melton on January 4, 1991, in Juneau, Alaska. His mother, Sukyong, is a Korean immigrant, and his father, Phil Melton, is an American who served in the military.

Charles Melton with his mother Sukyong Melton (Photo: Instagram)

His parents met when Phil was stationed in Korea, and Sukyong emigrated to the United States with him in 1990. Charles is the eldest of three children and has two younger sisters, Patricia and Tammie. Tammie works alongside him as his producing partner.

Growing up in a military family meant constant relocation. Melton has listed the places he lived: “Alaska, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee for a year, Korea for five years, then Texas, then Germany for four years, then Kansas.”

He learned to adapt quickly to new environments, a skill he credits with shaping his approach to acting. “You appear in this social group, and you’re not going to be there for long. So a part of me was like, ‘What do I have to lose?’” he has said.

Sports Background

Before acting, Melton was a standout athlete. He lettered in football, track, baseball, and basketball. He earned all-state honors in football for two years at Manhattan High School in Kansas and played in the Kansas all-star game in 2009.

He could run a 10.9-second 100-meter dash and a 4.5-second 40-yard dash. He walked onto the football team at Kansas State University as a defensive back, but at age 20, he left college and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Relationship Status and Dating History

Charles Melton is currently in a relationship with Camille Summers-Valli, a French-Australian photographer and filmmaker. The couple confirmed their relationship in January 2026 when they announced they were expecting their first child together. On March 9, 2026, Melton shared the first photos of their newborn daughter on Instagram, writing, “Our family.”

Melton’s dating history includes a headline-making relationship with his Riverdale co-star Camila Mendes. The two dated from October 2018 to December 2019, and briefly again in 2021. Their on-screen chemistry earned them an MTV Movie & TV Award nomination for Best Kiss. After Mendes, Melton dated actress Chase Sui Wonders in early 2022 and was linked to actress Chloe Bennet in the spring and summer of 2023.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Melton serves as a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics International. He has also been an outspoken ally to the LGBTQ+ community, stating, “It’s the passion and the love that matters and that allows you to be whoever you want.”

Other Fun Facts

• He is a serious sneakerhead and has been photographed in rare Travis Scott Jordans and Fragment collaborations.
• His favorite film is A Knight’s Tale, and he often gives away copies of Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse.
• He walks dogs on the app Wag before finding success as an actor.
• He played his newborn daughter Radiohead’s ‘Weird Fishes/Arpeggi’ during her first weeks at home.
• His father would listen to his high school football games on the radio while deployed overseas.

Conclusion

Charles Melton has built a $7 million net worth through a career that spans modeling, a long run on Riverdale, and acclaimed film performances in The Sun Is Also a Star, Bad Boys for Life, May December, Warfare, and Beef season two.

Standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, the 35-year-old actor has evolved from teen star to respected leading man, all while starting a family with his girlfriend Camille Summers-Valli. With several major projects on the horizon, his star is only continuing to rise.

Frequently Asked Questions about Charles Melton

What is Charles Melton’s net worth?

Charles Melton’s net worth is estimated at $7 million as of 2026, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His wealth comes from his work on Riverdale, his film roles, and his modeling career.

Is Charles Melton gay?

No, Charles Melton is not gay. He identifies as heterosexual and has been in relationships with women, including his current girlfriend Camille Summers-Valli. He is a vocal LGBTQ+ ally.

Who is Charles Melton dating?

Charles Melton is in a relationship with Camille Summers-Valli, a French-Australian photographer and filmmaker. The couple welcomed their first child together in March 2026.

Who has Charles Melton dated in the past?

Melton dated his Riverdale co-star Camila Mendes from 2018 to 2019, and briefly again in 2021. He was linked to Chase Sui Wonders in 2022 and Chloe Bennet in 2023.

What is Charles Melton’s height?

Charles Melton is 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) tall, a figure he has confirmed himself, though some sources place him closer to 5 feet 11.25 inches (181 cm).

What was Charles Melton’s breakout role?

His breakout role was Reggie Mantle on The CW’s Riverdale, which he played from 2017 to 2023.

What are Charles Melton’s biggest movie roles?

His most notable film roles include Joe Yoo in May December (2023), Daniel Bae in The Sun Is Also a Star (2019), Rafe in Bad Boys for Life (2020), and Jake in Warfare (2025).

What is Charles Melton’s recent role in Beef?

In Beef season two, which premiered on Netflix in April 2026, Melton plays Austin, a former football star turned personal trainer who works at a country club.

How old is Charles Melton?

He was born on January 4, 1991, making him 35 years old in 2026.

Does Charles Melton have children?

Yes. He and his girlfriend Camille Summers-Valli welcomed a daughter in March 2026.