Actor–Singer/song-writer–Director–Fool
In 2023 I celebrate 50 years as a professional performing artist.
I was born in Leith, the notorious Trainspotting port of Edinburgh in 1948.
I have been acting, clowning, directing and teaching professionally since 1973 starting first as an amateur at Royal High School, Edinburgh & Edinburgh University working with future celebrities like the late Iain Charleson, Hilton McRae, Dave Rintoul, Bernice Stegers , then with London group The Freehold and Pam Brighton’s V Theatre, before taking over Salakta Balloon Band and a few years later founding Kaboodle Theatre in the UK; then gradually as a solo artist across Europe and the Americas and then further afield across this flat earth. Once I even get near to the Ice-wall when I visited Punta Arenas at the Southern tip of Chile. I couldn’t get any further that day but one day I hope to scan and cross to the other lands that await….
You are welcome to browse the various shows and projects from my diverse career. I am still going at it in more ways than one too. Now I have added NFTs to my list…
But my life as an actor has been a fantastic and unforgettable experience. It is not quite what I thought it would be or where it might have gone but I have had amazing adventures and escapades, seen so many unbelievable places, made fabulous love, have an amazing son, Cyron Melville and three beautiful grand-daughters. I played to audiences of thousands of people, and to less than ten and met and worked with cultural angels, warriors and heroes in every country imaginable. I am filled with gratitude and blessed by all those experiences that the Creator has placed in my path for me to connect with.
BUT… this web-page is not a museum as I am still very much alive, kicking and ready to perform anywhere you might want me to…! Whether it be in a a movie, theatre, concert-hall or on the internet.
Here are some compliments that have been said to and about me at various times through the last 50 years from some wonderful personalities, performing artists and directors: all bona fide and real!!!
You have such a nice ass… NATASIA ROBINSON UK performing artist
Un increíbile descrubemiento! ALEX DE IGLESIA Spanish film director
A man of many talents: he is absolutely brilliant! DIETER MEIER Swiss artist/producer
Watching him is to see Robert Duval & Stan Laurel & Jimmy Boyle & Fred Astaire in a film by De Sica. NIGEL TERRY UK actor/ star of EXCALIBUR
He’s wacky & wild & gorgeous! BERNICE STEGERS UK actress, Fellini’s Faces cover
He’s great…..! SHELLEY DUVAL USA actress, star of THE SHINING
A high-powered all-action comedy machine. XAVIER HOLLANDER Dutch writer
A great (acting) job he did for us too! RIFT FOURNIER USA writer/film producer
He’s the meat and the motion! DANA GILLESPIE UK Blues Diva/composer
Fantastic show – his speed of character changes are incredible! SIR JAMES GALWAY UK concert flautist
Johnny Melville flew the flag with his very funny punk-mime show – honestly it was GOOD! MICHAEL COVENEY UK theatre critic
Johnny has extraordinary movement, improvisational and singing skills. He’s in a league by himself in these areas……..the physical endurance of an athlete & the spiritual presence of one who follows a serious path plus the unbridled sense of humor of a crazed court jester all of which Johnny fulfils in spades. MATT MITLER USA actor- director
A clown is the greatest actor in the world : from the dramatic to the absurd & from hilarity to pathos. When one reaches clown in its pure sense he can entertain anyone anywhere. Clowns are the gods of comedy: Johnny Melville is a clown JANGO EDWARDS USA clown-director
In my book he is the best !!! PETER SHUB USA award-winning mime
Some varied press comments
A comedian with God’s grace! Berlingske Tidningen, Denmark, 1991
You just have to love him… Frankfurter Neue Presse, Germany, 1984
Melville is one of those mimes who breaks the tradition of the genre. El Pais, Spain, 1984
Images that remind us of movies: frame by frame with close ups & zoom effects even angry changes of perspective all mimed with sinister perfection & virtuosity. Tages Anzeiger, Zurich, 1981
A great little hero! La Depêche, France, 1993
Comic superman! Tages Anzeiger, Switzerland, 1983
The funniest man in the world… Danish Radio, 1987