Mel Welles

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mel Welles (February 17, 1924 - August 18, 2005) was an American film actor. His best-remembered role may be that of hapless flower shop owner Gravis Mushnik in the 1960 low-budget Roger Corman dark comedy, The Little Shop of Horrors (which featured Jack Nicholson as a masochistic dental patient). Not much is known of Welles' early life, except that he was born Ira Meltcher in New York City. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School, in 1940. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University, a Master of Arts degree from West Virginia University, and a Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University. Welles held a number of jobs during his lifetime; at one time or another he worked as a clinical psychologist, radio DJ, television actor, writer and film director. He did some stage work before traveling to Hollywood, where in 1953 he appeared in his first film, Appointment in Honduras. His favorite role (The Little Shop of Horrors) was also his last in the U.S. for many years. In the early 1960s, he left the United States to act, produce and direct primarily in European film productions including the cult horror films Man…

Movies & TV Shows

1. The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) — Gravis Mushnick
2. Chopping Mall (1986) — Cook
3. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) — Police Inspector Kafir
4. Wolfen (1981) — ESS Voice (voice)
5. The Last American Virgin (1982) — Druggist
6. Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955) — Iben
7. The Big Knife (1955) — Mustached Party Guest
8. Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957) — Jules Deveroux
9. Pushover (1954) — Detective (uncredited)
10. Howard (2018) — Gravis Mushnick (archive footage)
11. The Brothers Karamazov (1958) — Trifon Borissovitch
12. The She Beast (1966) — Ladislav Groper
13. Gun Fury (1953)
14. The Undead (1957) — Gravedigger Smolkin
15. Have Gun, Will Travel (1957)
16. Maverick (1957) — Carlos
17. The Silver Chalice (1954) — Marcos (uncredited)
18. The 27th Day (1957) — Russian Marshal
19. The Lone Ranger (1949) — Sheriff Pender
20. Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II (1989) — Caedmon
21. Soldier of Fortune (1955) — Fernand Rocha
22. Cheyenne (1955)
23. The Shadow on the Window (1957) — Polikoff (uncredited)
24. Homework (1982) — Doctor
25. High School Confidential! (1958) — Charlie O'Flair
26. Hemingway’s Adventures of a Young Man (1962) — Italian Sergeant (uncredited)
27. Kismet (1955) — Beggar (uncredited)
28. Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype (1980) — Dr. Vince Hinkle
29. Rock All Night (1957) — Sir Bop
30. Outside the Law (1956) — Milo
31. Duel on the Mississippi (1955) — Sheriff
32. Hold Back Tomorrow (1955) — First Guard
33. Appointment in Honduras (1953) — Hidalgo (uncredited)
34. Calling Homicide (1956) — Valensi (uncredited)
35. Body and Soul (1981) — Joe Gillardi
36. Commando Squad (1987) — Quintano
37. Joyride to Nowhere (1977) — Tank McCall
38. Rented Lips (1988) — Milo
39. Medium Rare (1987) — Doctor
40. Smokey Bites the Dust (1981) — Abu Habib Bibubu

Directed

1. Lady Frankenstein (1971) — Director
2. Island of the Doomed (1967) — Director
3. Joyride to Nowhere (1977) — Director
4. Our Man in Jamaica (1965) — Director
5. The Last Mercenary (1968) — Director
6. Hello Glen Ward, House Dick (1968) — Director
7. Code of Silence (1960) — Director