Melissa McBride was born on May 23, 1965, in Lexington, Kentucky, United States. Her father was a business owner, and her mother had a background in the arts, having studied at the Pasadena Playhouse. Melissa developed an affinity for performance early on, which would later shape her career in the entertainment industry. Before becoming known as an actress, she also worked as a casting director.

Acting and Casting Career

McBride began her professional acting career in 1991, appearing in television commercials and guest-starring roles on various series. She featured in advertisements for several companies, including "Rooms To Go," and served as a spokeswoman for Ford Motor Company. Her television debut came in 1993 with a role on the ABC legal drama "Matlock."

Throughout the 1990s, she appeared in several popular television shows, such as "American Gothic," "In the Heat of the Night," "Walker, Texas Ranger," and "Dawson’s Creek." She also had supporting roles in made-for-TV movies like "Deadly Rival" (1995) and "Close to Danger" (1997).

From 2000 to 2010, McBride transitioned behind the scenes, working as a film and commercial casting director in Atlanta, Georgia. However, she returned to acting when director Frank Darabont, who had previously cast her in "The Mist" (2007), offered her a role in the AMC series "The Walking Dead" in 2010. McBride portrayed Carol Peletier, a character that grew from a supporting role into one of the show’s most complex and beloved figures.