Who Is Mel Metcalfe III? The Sound Engineer, Filmmaker, and Ex-Husband of Portia de Rossi
Mel Metcalfe III is an American sound engineer, actor, producer, and filmmaker who built a successful career in Hollywood over more than two decades. He worked on the sound for nearly 180 movies and TV shows, including famous Disney films like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. He received three Academy Award (Oscar) nominations for Best Sound during his career. However, many people around the world first learned his name because he was the first husband of Australian-American actress Portia de Rossi, who later married famous TV host Ellen DeGeneres.
Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Melvin M. Metcalfe III |
| Known As | Mel Metcalfe III |
| Birth Year | Around 1951 (exact date not public) |
| Birth Place | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White Caucasian |
| Father | Melvin M. Metcalfe II |
| Brother | Scott Metcalfe |
| First Wife | Portia de Rossi (married 1996, divorced 1999) |
| Current Wife | Renee Kappos (married 2006) |
| Profession | Sound Engineer, Actor, Producer, Filmmaker, Photographer |
| Oscar Nominations | 3 (Best Sound) |
| Emmy Awards | 2 (Primetime Emmy for Sound Mixing) |
| Notable Films | Star Trek IV, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King |
| Net Worth | Around $2 Million |
| @melmmetcalfeiii |
Early Life and Family Background
Mel Metcalfe III was born in the United States. His father, Melvin M. Metcalfe II, also worked in the entertainment business, so Mel grew up around the film world from a young age. He has a brother named Scott Metcalfe. Not much is known about his mother, as the family has kept many personal details private.
Mel attended high school in the United States and later went to a public state university for his studies. His early contact with the movie world through his father helped him develop a strong love for sound and filmmaking. This love pushed him toward a long and successful career in Hollywood.
Career as a Sound Engineer
Mel Metcalfe III started his career in 1981 when he worked as a music mixer on the action film “An Eye for an Eye.” After that, he quickly moved on to bigger projects. In the early 1980s, he worked on films like “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and “They All Laughed.” His skills grew fast, and he soon became one of the most trusted sound engineers in the business.
His big break came in 1986 when he worked on “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.” This film earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Sound. He then received his second Oscar nomination in 1992 for “Beauty and the Beast” and a third nomination in 1993 for “Aladdin.” He also won two Primetime Emmy Awards in 1985 for his sound work on “The Jesse Owens Story” and the TV series “Space.”
Work with Walt Disney
Mel Metcalfe III had a very special relationship with Walt Disney Animation Studios. He worked as a sound mixer on many of Disney’s most loved animated films during the 1990s. His work on “Beauty and the Beast” (1991) and “Aladdin” (1992) brought him worldwide attention and Oscar nominations.
He also worked on “The Little Mermaid” (1989), “The Lion King” (1994), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996), “Hercules” (1997), “Mulan” (1998), “Tarzan” (1999), and “The Emperor’s New Groove” (2000). His sound work helped create the magical feeling that made these Disney movies so special for millions of fans around the world.
Acting and Filmmaking Career
Besides his sound work, Mel also tried his hand at acting and filmmaking. In 1989, he played the role of Marco in the horror film “Masque of the Red Death.” He later acted in and produced the short thriller “Holiday on the Moon” in 1994, which became one of his best-known personal projects.
In 1999, Mel moved into directing with the documentary film “The Art of the Doll Maker,” which he also produced. He continued making documentaries, including “The Priestess” in 2007. He also worked as a producer on an episode of the PBS TV series “California Connected” in 2003. On the side, Mel works as a photographer, covering events like football games and car races.
Marriage to Portia de Rossi
In 1996, Mel Metcalfe III married Australian actress and model Portia de Rossi (born Amanda Lee Rogers). At that time, Portia was building her acting career in Hollywood after moving from Australia. The couple stayed together for three years before they divorced in 1999.
In her 2010 book “Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain,” Portia shared that she originally married Mel to get a green card so she could stay and work in the United States. However, she also said that she grew to care about him during their marriage. The marriage ended when Mel left Portia and started a relationship with Renee Kappos, who was married to Portia’s brother Michael Rogers at the time.
Life After Divorce and Current Wife
After his divorce from Portia de Rossi, Mel Metcalfe III married Renee Kappos in July 2006. Renee has two daughters, Eva Rogers and Perry Rogers, from her earlier marriage to Portia’s brother Michael. Mel and Renee have built a happy family together and have been married for nearly two decades.
Meanwhile, Portia de Rossi came out publicly and started dating director Francesca Gregorini in 2001. She later began a relationship with Ellen DeGeneres in 2004, and they got married on August 16, 2008. Portia changed her legal name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres after their wedding.
Net Worth and Achievements
Mel Metcalfe III has a net worth of around $2 million, earned through his long career in the film industry. He worked on the sound for nearly 180 films and TV shows during his career. His three Oscar nominations, two Emmy wins, and a BAFTA nomination for “The Lion King” show how talented and respected he was in his field.
He retired from sound engineering around 2004 after more than 20 years in the business. His work on some of the biggest and most loved films in movie history has left a lasting mark on Hollywood. Even though he stays away from the public eye now, his name appears in the credits of films that millions of people still watch and love today.
Conclusion
Mel Metcalfe III is much more than just the ex-husband of Portia de Rossi. He is a skilled sound engineer who helped shape the sound of some of Hollywood’s greatest films. From “Star Trek IV” to Disney classics like “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King,” his work touched the lives of millions of movie fans. Today, he lives a quiet and happy life with his wife Renee Kappos, away from the spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Mel Metcalfe III?
Mel Metcalfe III is an American sound engineer, actor, producer, and filmmaker. He is known for his sound work on big Hollywood films and for being the ex-husband of actress Portia de Rossi.
2. Why did Mel Metcalfe III and Portia de Rossi divorce?
They divorced in 1999 after three years of marriage. Portia later said she married him for a green card. The marriage also ended because Mel started a relationship with Renee Kappos, who was the wife of Portia’s brother.
3. How many Oscar nominations did Mel Metcalfe III receive?
Mel received three Oscar nominations for Best Sound. He was nominated for “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” (1987), “Beauty and the Beast” (1992), and “Aladdin” (1993).
4. Who is Mel Metcalfe III married to now?
Mel married Renee Kappos in July 2006. They have been together for nearly 20 years and live a happy life together.
5. What is Mel Metcalfe III’s net worth?
His net worth is around $2 million, which he earned from working on nearly 180 films and TV shows during his career in Hollywood.
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