Mel Gorham

Mel Gorham (born Marilyn Schnier, October 27, 1959 ) is an American actress who is best known for her role as Violet in Wayne Wang's films Smoke and Blue in the Face. Gorham is from Miami, Florida,

Gorham's improvised rendition of Peggy Lee's "Fever" in Blue in the Face garnered her much critical acclaim and press.

Gorham returned to the world of New York City theater where she began. After a long absence, she returned to film with a role in Wayne Wang's 2001 film The Center of the World. In 2012, she retired from show business and currently resides in South Beach.

Filmography

Film

1990 - Awakenings as Nurse Sara 1993 - Carlito's Way as Pachanga's date 1995 - Smoke as Violet 1995 - Blue in the Face as Violet 1995 - The Perez Family as Vilma & Raquel 1996 - Curdled as Elena 1997 - Cop Land as Monica Lopez 1997 - Wishful Thinking as Lourdes 2001 - The Center of the World as Roxanne 2005 - Sueno as Gloria 2006 - Delirious as Tish 2007 - Mother's Day Massacre as Dolores 2009 - American Cowslip as Kimberly 2011 - A Talent for Trouble as Francine Hawk 2011 - The Trouble with Cali as Xiomara

Television

+ Mel Gorham television credits Year Title Role Notes 1989 The Equalizer Mother Episode: "The Visitation" 1991 Law & Order Woman #1 Episode: "Heaven" 2003 Arrested Development Helen 1 episode