Melissa Ponzio

Melissa Ponzio is an American actress who plays Karen in Season 3 of The Walking Dead.

Biography
Melissa is part Sicilian, Native American and part French.Melissa spent most of her childhood clowning it up at school and impersonating her beloved family. Then late one night, she saw Sigourney Weaver in 'Alien' and knew then and there she wanted to be an alien. Since she couldn't really be an alien, she studied theater at Georgia State University in her adopted home town, Atlanta. "It seemed the next best thing." After graduation, Melissa spent three years as an assignment editor at Atlanta's CBS affiliate, while acting in commercials and films whenever possible. Steady acting work in the Southeast's flourishing commercial market quickly meant 'adios amigos' to the station and 'hellooooo' to full time alien.

Since then, she's landed countless national and regional commercials (over 50), including her current campaign as co-spokesperson for S & K Menswear. Notable television roles include a reoccurring role on the WB's One Tree Hill, a co-staring role on the WB's Dawson's Creek and the CBS miniseries Shake, Rattle, and Roll. She's been in over half a dozen independent films and can be seen in theatres this Summer in the independent drama Stateside.

As co-owner of The Goods Inc., Melissa co-hosts and performs in The Goods Variety Show and is active in The Goods Youth Foundation. She is proud to make kids laugh while showing them how to find "The Goods in themselves". Melissa spends her down time as a rock star. Well, maybe just a rocking' person. "It seemed the next best thing".