Biography

Melody Ann Thomas was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, on April 18, 1956. She began acting at the tender age of three. Appeared in multiple commercials before landing a national commercial for Kelloggs Rice Krispies at the age of six.

Scott made her big screen debut as young Marnie in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie of the same name in 1964.

Melody’s childhood was filled with acting, dancing and singing lessons, theatre productions through the Hollywood Children’s Theater and Three Arts Studio and work.

Roles on television and film such as Wagon Train, Ironside, The Beguiled, Posse, and The Shootist started filling her resume.

As she reached young woman status, more mature roles followed such as Secrets, Code R, Fish, The Car, The Waltons, Charlie’s Angels, The Fury, Piranha, Makin’ it, Billy, and The Rockford Files.

But it was in February of 1979, when 23 year old Melody was cast as Nikki Reed, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, on The Young and the Restless, that changed her life forever.

Scott has credited the role as Genoa City’s ultimate survivor for saving her life. As Melody’s popularity reached international heights through the daytime series, she continued working on primetime and film.

Her credits include appearances on, Eight is Enough, The Scarlett O’Hara War, Hotel, Diagnosis Murder, The Nanny, The King of Queens, The Paradise Virus, Freezerburn, My Name is Earl, Castle and The Crazy Ones.

On the set of Y&R, Melody met her future husband — Supervising Producer Ed Scott. The two married in 1985. They have three daughters, Elizabeth, Jennifer and Alexandra.

The couple co-founded the “Save The Earth Foundation” and continue to support other charities whenever they can.

Fast Facts

• April 18, 1956 — Birthdate
• She was 8 when she debuted in Alfred Hitchcock’s film Marnie.
• Studied ballet, tap, jazz and singing from an early age and majored in piano in college.
• Developed her own line of hair-care products.
• Longtime fan of I Love Lucy and founding board member of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY.
• Was a co-founder of the Save the Earth foundation, which creates awareness of environmental issues.
• Won the Soap Opera Digest award for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2001.
• Celebrated 35 years as Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless in 2014.

Relationships

• Edward Scott — Spouse
• Alexandra Danielle Yeaggy Scott— Daughter
• Elizabeth Marie Scott— Daughter
• Jennifer Scott— Daughter

Summary

Melody Thomas Scott seemed destined to be an actress. The entertainer began her acting career when she was a child. Scott had roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s Marnie, Wagon Train, Beguiled, The Shootist, The Waltons, and Charlie’s Angels.

These acting opportunities cemented her ambition, but it was the role of Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless in 1981 that made Scott an international star.

That part put her in the path of her future husband Edward Scott, a supervising producer on the show at the time. Despite a busy schedule on Y&R, Melody still finds time to add more roles to her resume.