Melissa Ordway
American actress (born 1983)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Melissa Pam Gaston[1] (née Ordway; born March 31, 1983[2]) is an American actress and model.[3] She is best known for portraying Abby Newman on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless.[4] In May 2022, Gaston was nominated for an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama for her portrayal of Abby Newman on The Young and the Restless. Gaston has been featured in campaigns by a number of major brands including Skechers, Old Navy, David's Bridal, Anchor Blue and Tillys.[5]
March 31, 1983
Melissa Ordway | |
|---|---|
Ordway in 2014 | |
| Born | Melissa Pam Ordway March 31, 1983 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Georgia State University |
| Occupations | Actress, model |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Known for | The Young and the Restless |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
Ordway was born in Atlanta, Georgia, an only child, to John and Christine Ordway. She began doing community theatre in Atlanta and also acting in theatre productions at her high school in Snellville, Georgia. Ordway starred in the stage performances of Beauty and the Beast, The Women, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and many other shows. After graduating from high school, she attended Georgia State University and is a member of the Delta Zeta sorority. While at Georgia State, Ordway was chosen to participate in a reality show on MTV called The Assistant.[6] She won the show and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting and modeling.[7]
Career
Modeling
Ordway is signed with Nous Model Management in Los Angeles and Front Management in Miami.[5][6] She has been featured in campaigns for several brands including Skechers, Old Navy, David's Bridal, Anchor Blue. Tillys, Kirstie Kelly, and Fabrizio Gianni.[8] Ordway has appeared in television commercials for Axe, Geico Cavemen, Pontiac Vibe, Carl's Jr. and Payless.[9]
Ordway has also appeared on the cover Los Angeles Weddings Magazine, Grand Sierra Magazine and Hona Hou Magazine.[6] She is featured as a frequent guest model on the game show The Price is Right including the week of October 7, 2015.[4]
Acting
Ordway's first major acting part was the recurring roles of Jordanna on The CW television series Privileged. Her feature film debut was in 17 Again. Ordway has guest starred on such television shows as Entourage and How I Met Your Mother, as well as starring in several independent films including Callers, Tales of an Ancient Empire,[10] and I Heart Veronica Martin. In 2010, Ordway appeared in the film The Last Song as Ashley and guest starred on Melrose Place as Morgan McKellan. She starred in the fantasy thriller film Tales of an Ancient Empire.[11] In 2011, Ordway co-starred in Escapee and appeared in Ted directed by Seth MacFarlane.
Ordway was cast in the main role of Chloe Carter on the TeenNick series Hollywood Heights in 2012.[12] In March 2013, she was cast in the role of Abby Newman on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, replacing previous actress Marcy Rylan.[13] Ordway also appeared in the 2013 supernatural thriller film Odd Thomas as Lysette.
Personal life
On September 22, 2012, Ordway married actor Justin Gaston, whom she met during the filming of Escapee.[14] In 2016, they adopted their first child, a daughter named Olivia Christine, born April 2016.[15] Melissa gave birth to a daughter, their second child, Sophie Jolie, on December 9, 2017.[16][17][18]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Friendly Fire | Roller Goddess | |
| 2008 | I Heart Veronica Martin | Vanessa | Short film |
| 2009 | 17 Again | Lauren | |
| 2009 | Miss March | Gorgeous Girl | |
| 2009 | Alpha Males Experiment | Tiffany | |
| 2010 | Elektra Luxx | Sabrina Capri | |
| 2010 | The Last Song | Ashley | |
| 2010 | Bones | Samantha Reeves | |
| 2010 | Tales of an Ancient Empire | Princess Tanis | |
| 2011 | Minkow | Mindy Jameson | |
| 2011 | Escapee | Renee Sanders | |
| 2011 | Retail | Lizzie | Short film |
| 2011 | Callers | Amanda | |
| 2011 | In Time | Leila | |
| 2011 | A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas | Gracie | |
| 2012 | Ted | Michelle | |
| 2013 | Amelia's 25th | Loralei | |
| 2013 | The Incredible Burt Wonderstone | Reporter | |
| 2013 | Channeling | Victoria | |
| 2013 | Odd Thomas | Lysette | |
| 2014 | The Outsider | Samantha | |
| 2018 | Con Man | Mindy | Uncredited |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Assistant | Herself | Contestant (winner); 8 episodes |
| 2007 | Entourage | Morgan | Episode: "The Young and the Stoned" |
| 2007 | How I Met Your Mother | Woman #1 | Episode: "Third Wheel" |
| 2008–09 | Privileged | Jordanna | Recurring role, 8 episodes |
| 2009 | Xtra Credit | Lindsey | Television movie |
| 2010 | Cold Case | Diane Yates '80 | Episodes: "Bullet", "The Last Drive-In" |
| 2010 | Melrose Place | Morgan McKellan | Episodes: "Mulholland", "Santa Fe", "Wilshire" |
| 2010 | CSI: NY | Jenny Harper | Episode: "Out of the Sky" |
| 2011 | The Chicago Code | Taylor | Episode: "The Gold Coin Kid" |
| 2011 | Miami Magma | Emily Vitrini | Television movie |
| 2012 | Hollywood Heights | Chloe Carter / Cynthia Kowalski | Main role, 80 episodes |
| 2012 | The League | Sutton | Episode: "The Hoodie" |
| 2013 | 90210 | Sydney Price | Recurring role, 6 episodes |
| 2014 | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Herself | Episode: "Star Sighting" |
| 2013–present | The Young and the Restless | Abby Newman | Main role (2013–2024) Recurring role (2024–present) |
| 2020 | The Price Is Right | Herself / model | 32 episodes |
| 2020 | Stalked by My Husband's Ex | Sierra | Television film |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Radio Station Caller | Voice; uncredited |
| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "It's Over" | Jesse McCartney | Love interest |
