Jill-Michele Meleán
Encyclopedia
Jill Michele Meleán is an American
comic actress. Meleán is most notable for her membership in the recurring cast of comedians on sketch comedy series MADtv
.
She left her big family in Miami and moved to Los Angeles in 2000 without knowing anybody in the new city. She stood in line with homeless people for open mics and enrolled in all the local Improv schools and acting classes, racking up thousands on credits.
She has been recently seen on SHOWTIME’s stand-up special “Hot Tamales”. You've also seen her on Comedy Central's "Reno 911" playing George Lopez’s girlfriend, FOX's "Til Death", E!, TBS, VH1, BET, SiTV's "Latino 101"and was the host of SiTV's "Inside Joke".
Jill-Michele not only is an actress and stand-up Comedienne, she a Writer and Producer as well. She teamed up with Academy Nominee, Larry Hankin, and starred, wrote and produced a short comedic film titled "Emmett Deemus and the Porno Queen".
Jill-Michele is currently working with Emmy award winning Executive Producer, Sandy Chanley, on her one hour Stand-up Special. Chanley also co-wrote her One-Woman-Show “Rule Breaker”, which is now being turned into a screenplay. "It's an honor for me to be working with Sandy. She's produced specials for the greats such as Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Paula Poundstone, Kathy Griffin, Bill Maher, Joan Rivers, D.L Hughley and so many more. I have to pinch myself daily to believe I'm next on her amazing roster". www.productionpartners.com
Jill does not stop there. Her mind is never at rest so she created a web series "Zombie Undergound"-Zombies marriage counseling that was sold to Comedy Central's Atom.com http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/zombie_underground_lesbian/
"I've made some great friends in this Hollyweird Industry. Carlos Alazraqui is one of them and he created a new web series called "The Club". A hilarious inside look of a comedy club. I star in it alongside Carlos, Johnny Sanchez and Debra Wilson-just to name a few from the brilliant cast." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYPa-M7QmuI
Charity support is a huge part of Jill's life. She is actively promoting awareness for Neglected Tropical Diseases http://www.globalnetwork.org/ . She's a mentor for underpriveliged teen girls with Step Up Woman's Network www.suwn.org/ and of course she always happy supporting the animals www.strayrescue.org She recently started running marathons to honor her dog that passed away. "Run 4 Baki" charity, started by her Mother.
For more updated news, live shows and information, check out her website www.jillyonline.com
MADtv cast member (The first was feature player Pablo Francisco, who is Chilean and the second was Cuban
-born Nelson Ascencio
in 1999) and the first Latin female to join the show. However, unlike Ascencio, it was not her portrayal of famous Latin stars that got her her big break on the show. Her first skit, a parody of Britney Spears
' "Not a Girl
" video (showing visual sexual metaphors), quickly gained her fans and notoriety. As a result, Meleán was promoted to repertory status for the following season.
While on MADtv, Britney Spears was not the only celebrity that Meleán lampooned. She also impersonated Kelly Osbourne
, Jenna Bush
, Asia Argento
, Jennifer Lopez
, and Drew Barrymore
. Meleán also replaced Kathryn Fiore
's character in the Kappa Kappa Kappa
Sorority sisters sketch. Behind the scenes, Meleán bonded very well with the other cast members. In particular, Meleán was especially close to Debra Wilson
who she said, on her first day, "she greeted me with open arms and made me feel part of the MADtv family."
award. After her tour ended, Meleán made numerous television appearances on shows like The Parkers
and she is the host of the documentary styled show, Inside Joke on SiTV.
Meleán has performed in Washington, D.C.
for Congress and honorably interviewed congress members on-air for SiTV. Outside the world of comedy, Meleán served as the host of the 2006 Annual Latina conference in Ontario, California
and she is active in numerous charity events.
Meleán's biggest role since leaving MADtv has been a recurring role on Comedy Central
's Reno 911!
as Deputy Garcia's sister, Maria Garcia. In the 2009 season of the series, with Deputy Garcia no longer on the show, she now plays Gloria, mistress to Mayor Hernandez (played by George Lopez
).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comic actress. Meleán is most notable for her membership in the recurring cast of comedians on sketch comedy series MADtv
MADtv
MADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first...
.
Biography
Jill-Michele Meleán is an Irish/Bolivian that was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She is Buddhist.She left her big family in Miami and moved to Los Angeles in 2000 without knowing anybody in the new city. She stood in line with homeless people for open mics and enrolled in all the local Improv schools and acting classes, racking up thousands on credits.
She has been recently seen on SHOWTIME’s stand-up special “Hot Tamales”. You've also seen her on Comedy Central's "Reno 911" playing George Lopez’s girlfriend, FOX's "Til Death", E!, TBS, VH1, BET, SiTV's "Latino 101"and was the host of SiTV's "Inside Joke".
Jill-Michele not only is an actress and stand-up Comedienne, she a Writer and Producer as well. She teamed up with Academy Nominee, Larry Hankin, and starred, wrote and produced a short comedic film titled "Emmett Deemus and the Porno Queen".
Jill-Michele is currently working with Emmy award winning Executive Producer, Sandy Chanley, on her one hour Stand-up Special. Chanley also co-wrote her One-Woman-Show “Rule Breaker”, which is now being turned into a screenplay. "It's an honor for me to be working with Sandy. She's produced specials for the greats such as Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Paula Poundstone, Kathy Griffin, Bill Maher, Joan Rivers, D.L Hughley and so many more. I have to pinch myself daily to believe I'm next on her amazing roster". www.productionpartners.com
Jill does not stop there. Her mind is never at rest so she created a web series "Zombie Undergound"-Zombies marriage counseling that was sold to Comedy Central's Atom.com http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/zombie_underground_lesbian/
"I've made some great friends in this Hollyweird Industry. Carlos Alazraqui is one of them and he created a new web series called "The Club". A hilarious inside look of a comedy club. I star in it alongside Carlos, Johnny Sanchez and Debra Wilson-just to name a few from the brilliant cast." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYPa-M7QmuI
Charity support is a huge part of Jill's life. She is actively promoting awareness for Neglected Tropical Diseases http://www.globalnetwork.org/ . She's a mentor for underpriveliged teen girls with Step Up Woman's Network www.suwn.org/ and of course she always happy supporting the animals www.strayrescue.org She recently started running marathons to honor her dog that passed away. "Run 4 Baki" charity, started by her Mother.
For more updated news, live shows and information, check out her website www.jillyonline.com
MADtv
Meleán joined the cast of MADtv in 2002, as a feature performer, for the seventh season. She was the third HispanicHispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
MADtv cast member (The first was feature player Pablo Francisco, who is Chilean and the second was Cuban
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
-born Nelson Ascencio
Nelson Ascencio
Nelson Ascencio is a Cuban actor and comedian. Ascencio is most notable for his membership in the recurring cast of comedians on sketch comedy series MADtv....
in 1999) and the first Latin female to join the show. However, unlike Ascencio, it was not her portrayal of famous Latin stars that got her her big break on the show. Her first skit, a parody of Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
' "Not a Girl
I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman
"I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears. The song was written by Dido, with additional writing and song production by Max Martin and Rami Yacoub for Spears' third studio album, Britney . It was released on February 5, 2002 by Jive Records, as the...
" video (showing visual sexual metaphors), quickly gained her fans and notoriety. As a result, Meleán was promoted to repertory status for the following season.
While on MADtv, Britney Spears was not the only celebrity that Meleán lampooned. She also impersonated Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Michelle Lee Osbourne is an English media personality, television personality, host, judge, fashion designer, singer, and actress, best known for being the daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne...
, Jenna Bush
Jenna Bush
Jenna Welch Bush Hager , is the younger of the sororal twin daughters of the 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, and a granddaughter of the 41st U.S. President George H. W. Bush. She and her sister, Barbara, were the first twin children of a U.S. President...
, Asia Argento
Asia Argento
Aria Asia Anna Maria Vittoria Rossa Argento is an Italian actress, singer, model and director.-Family and early life:...
, Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
, and Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore
Drew Blyth Barrymore is an American actress, film director, screenwriter, producer and model. She is a member of the Barrymore family of American actors and granddaughter of John Barrymore. She first appeared in an advertisement when she was 11 months old. Barrymore made her film debut in Altered...
. Meleán also replaced Kathryn Fiore
Kathryn Fiore
Kathryn Fiore is an American comic actress.Fiore was born in New York City, New York. She studied Latin at Columbia University, then left to pursue a career in acting. Fiore began her career in a Broadway production of Picnic in 1994, where she played Millie and Madge Owens, alongside Ashley Judd...
's character in the Kappa Kappa Kappa
Kappa Kappa Kappa
Kappa Kappa Kappa is a local men's fraternity at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. The fraternity founded in 1842 is the second-oldest fraternity at Dartmouth College and the oldest local fraternity in the nation...
Sorority sisters sketch. Behind the scenes, Meleán bonded very well with the other cast members. In particular, Meleán was especially close to Debra Wilson
Debra Wilson
Debra Wilson Skelton , professionally known as Debra Wilson or Debra Wilzon, is an American comedienne and actress. Wilson is likely most famous for being the second longest-serving original cast member on the sketch comedy series MADtv, having appeared for the show's first eight seasons...
who she said, on her first day, "she greeted me with open arms and made me feel part of the MADtv family."
Other entertainment projects
After leaving, she toured with Luke Torres and Carlos Oscar on the Latinos Locos tour and had a role in the film Hunting of Man (2003), which won an ALMAALMA
ALMA can refer to* ALMA Award, a distinction awarded to Latino performers who promote positive portrayals of Latinos in the entertainment field.* ALMA Magazine, a Spanish-language lifestyle magazine....
award. After her tour ended, Meleán made numerous television appearances on shows like The Parkers
The Parkers
The Parkers is an American sitcom . A spin-off of UPN's Moesha, The Parkers featured the mother-daughter team of Nikki and Kim Parker . The Parkers' signature "Heeyyy" greeting made its way into popular vernacular in the early 2000s.-Premise:The series centered around a mother and daughter who...
and she is the host of the documentary styled show, Inside Joke on SiTV.
Meleán has performed in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
for Congress and honorably interviewed congress members on-air for SiTV. Outside the world of comedy, Meleán served as the host of the 2006 Annual Latina conference in Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
and she is active in numerous charity events.
Meleán's biggest role since leaving MADtv has been a recurring role on Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
's Reno 911!
Reno 911!
Reno 911! is an American comedy television series on Comedy Central that ran from 2003 to 2009. It is a mockumentary-style parody of law enforcement documentary shows, specifically COPS, with comic actors playing the police officers. Most of the material is improvised, using a broad outline, and...
as Deputy Garcia's sister, Maria Garcia. In the 2009 season of the series, with Deputy Garcia no longer on the show, she now plays Gloria, mistress to Mayor Hernandez (played by George Lopez
George Lopez
George Lopez is an American comedian, actor, and talk show host. He is mostly known for starring in his self-produced ABC sitcom George Lopez. His stand-up comedy examines race and ethnic relations, including the Mexican American culture...
).
Personal
- Meleán has a black belt in TaeKwonDoTaekwondoTaekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
. - Meleán has been featured in LatinaLatinaLatina is the feminine form of the term Latino.Latina may also refer to:*Province of Latina, a province in Latium , Italy**Latina, Lazio, the capital of the province of Latina**Latina Nuclear Power Plant*Latina , a district of Madrid...
magazine and has the 2005 May cover for Hispanic Lifestyle magazine. - Meleán was engaged to actor/model Keith Collins in 2006-2008.
Filmography
| 2009 | Reno 911:Miami | Jenna Bush | On the bonus scenes DVD |
| 2009 | Emmett Deemus and the Porno Queen | Writer/Actress/Producer | |
| 2003 | Hunting of Man | Ingrid | |
| 2002 | King Rikki King Rikki King Rikki is a 2002 drama film starring Jon Seda, Mario López, Tonantzin Carmelo and Timothy Paul Perrez. This film was based on the play Richard III by William Shakespeare... |
Clara | |
Television appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
| 2010 | Latino 101 | SiTV | |
| 2009 | Reno 911! Reno 911! Reno 911! is an American comedy television series on Comedy Central that ran from 2003 to 2009. It is a mockumentary-style parody of law enforcement documentary shows, specifically COPS, with comic actors playing the police officers. Most of the material is improvised, using a broad outline, and... |
Gloria | |
| 2007 | Til Death Til Death Til Death is the first full-length studio album by the American band The Undead, and the first release since the 3 song cassette from 1995. Til Death was recorded in 1997, in Bobby Steele's bedroom in New York. It was released on June 25, 1998 on Underworld Records/Post Mortem Records, and a promo... |
Hockey Girl | |
| 2006 | Mud Show | Willie | |
| 2005 | Reno 911! Reno 911! Reno 911! is an American comedy television series on Comedy Central that ran from 2003 to 2009. It is a mockumentary-style parody of law enforcement documentary shows, specifically COPS, with comic actors playing the police officers. Most of the material is improvised, using a broad outline, and... |
Maria Garcia | |
| 2003 | The Parkers The Parkers The Parkers is an American sitcom . A spin-off of UPN's Moesha, The Parkers featured the mother-daughter team of Nikki and Kim Parker . The Parkers' signature "Heeyyy" greeting made its way into popular vernacular in the early 2000s.-Premise:The series centered around a mother and daughter who... |
Jennifer | |
| 2002– | MADtv MADtv MADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first... |
Various Characters | Sketch Comedy |
| 2002 | Taina Taina (TV series) Taina is an American sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon and was one of the last live-action comedy shows taped at Nickelodeon Studios but later moved to the Nickelodeon On Sunset in Hollywood, for its second season. The show aired from January 14, 2001 to May 11, 2002.-Premise:Taina Morales is a... |
Erica | |
| 2000 | Manhattan, AZ Manhattan, AZ Manhattan, AZ was a short-lived Mystery television show that aired on the USA Network during the Summer of 2000.-External links:* on * from the TV Guide website... |
Miss Vega | |
| 2011 | Big Time Rush Big Time Rush Big Time Rush is a Nickelodeon television series created by Scott Fellows about the Hollywood misadventures of four hockey players from Minnesota—Kendall, Logan, James, and Carlos, after they are selected to form a boy band. The series premiered with an hour-long pilot episode, "Big Time... |
Slyvia Garcia, Carlos' Mom | Guest Star |