Mela Hudson (July 24, 1987 – August 14, 2018) was an American actress, and producer best known for her roles in Split Costs, The Sisterhood of Night, Hits, Eight, and Melancholia. Hudson made her producer debut in 2013 for such films as Presence, and Resident Evil: Red Falls.^{[citation needed]} Hudson died on August 14, 2018, in Burbank, California.^[1]

Hudson was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York, to Michael Marinucci Jr., and Carol Ann Dalrymple. She had a brother, Michael, who is five years older, and a twin brother, Vincent.^{[citation needed]} At the age of four, she belonged to the Estelle and Alfonso Performing Arts Program, and the Betty Jean Studio where she performed on stage in huge venues such as the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. She started acting at the age of eight when she was cast as the lead in her elementary school's play. She attended a private Catholic school called Holy Trinity from first grade to third grade, then finished elementary school at Brinkerhoff Elementary. She then attended Van Wyck Junior High, and then John Jay Senior High School where she continued to act on stage, as well as build sets for the productions. She graduated from high school in 2005.^[2]

Progressing to motion picture, she then studied acting at Dutchess Community College where she focused her skill in multiple student films. In 2009 she was introduced to the New York Talent Club where she started to obtain professional on-set experience working in independent films, TV commercials, and music videos that were being shot locally. She has trained professionally at the John Pallotta Studio of Acting, and Jordan Bayne's Permission Playground in New York City. Hudson is most proud of learning from the Dustin Hoffman, and Kevin Spacey in their Masterclasses.^{[citation needed]}

Hudson starred in the multi-award winning short film, Split Costs, written and directed by Jeffrey B. Palmer. The film premiered at the 2016 Bluestocking Film Festival in Portland, Maine, where it received an Audience Choice Award.^[3] Since then, the film has received 15 awards, and has 14 nominations, including Hudson's 3 wins, and 3 nominations.

Hudson directed and appeared in commercials and music videos, such as Deborah Harry's music video for "Mother".

Hudson appeared in David Cross' film Hits which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2014.^[4][5]

In October 2014, Hudson announced that she was creating her first animation film, Tomboy. She had written it as a short story at first, but then soon after decided to adapt it to screen.^{[citation needed]}

In September 2016 Hudson started volunteering her time monthly with the Play For Your Freedom^[6] an organization focused on helping veterans suffering from PTSD through wellness workshops. In an interview she said, "These things have always been important to me in my life. It is important that we use our position to do good in the world."^{[citation needed]} Some of Hudson's charities include those devoted to fighting hunger, domestic violence, and suicide prevention.