Melora Walters (born October 21, 1959) is an American actress, filmmaker, and longtime character standout known for her emotionally

layered performances and frequent collaborations with writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson. With a career spanning film, television, and independent cinema, she has built a reputation for bringing depth and authenticity to complex roles.

Walters first gained attention with Dead Poets Society (1989) and went on to appear in a wide range of films including Eraser, Cold Mountain,

The Butterfly Effect, Short Term 12, and Venom. Her most acclaimed work came through her collaborations with Anderson, earning Screen Actors

Guild nominations for Boogie Nights (1997) and Magnolia (1999), where her performance as the fragile and troubled Claudia drew critical praise.

On television, she has appeared in numerous hit series including Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, CSI, Desperate Housewives, NCIS, and Law & Order: SVU. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Wanda Henrickson on HBO’s Big Love and Kathy Kone on Hulu’s PEN15, where she brought warmth,

nuance, and quiet strength to both characters.

In recent years, Walters has expanded into writing and directing, helming independent films such as Waterlily Jaguar (2018) and Drowning (2019). A fun fact: despite her extensive career, she is especially

admired within the industry as a “director’s actor”, known for elevating every project she joins.