You probably know Charles Melton as the guy with the jawline from Riverdale or maybe you've seen his powerhouse performance in May December. But long before he was winning Gotham Awards and dodging Archie Andrews' drama, he was just another face in the Ryan Murphy universe. Honestly, if you blinked during 2015, you probably missed him.
Charles Melton American Horror Story: The Ghost You Forgot
Most fans assume his big break was the CW. Nope. Back in 2015, Charles Melton landed a guest spot on American Horror Story: Hotel. He played a character named Mr. Wu.
He wasn't some leading man. He was a guy who checked into the Hotel Cortez and, in classic AHS fashion, had a really, really bad night.
What happened to Mr. Wu?
Mr. Wu appears in two episodes of season five. He's a wealthy guest who gets lured into a room by two Swedish backpackers, Agnetha and Vendela. It's basically a thirst trap gone wrong. He thinks he’s getting lucky, but instead, he gets stabbed to death in the bathtub.
Because he died on the property, he stayed there. Forever.
The Weird Ghostly Afterlife of Mr. Wu
Here's the thing about the Hotel Cortez: death isn't the end, it's just a career change.
Melton’s character returns as a ghost. But he isn't a vengeful spirit or a tortured soul. He actually ends up in a weird, polyamorous relationship with the two women who murdered him. They spend eternity drinking cocktails at the bar and haunting the hallways.
It’s dark. It’s strange. It’s exactly what you expect from a season that featured Lady Gaga as a blood-drinking Countess.
Transitioning to American Horror Stories
Fast forward to 2021. Melton is a household name now, but he went back to his roots. He appeared in the spin-off series, American Horror Stories (plural), in an episode called "The Naughty List."
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- The Character: Wyatt, a douchey social media influencer.
- The Plot: A group of "Bro House" creators post a video of someone jumping off a bridge and then get hunted by a killer Santa Claus.
- The Fate: Wyatt’s death is way more brutal than Mr. Wu’s. Danny Trejo (playing the killer Santa) literally twists his head 180 degrees.
It’s a far cry from the subtle, moody acting he’s doing now in prestige films.
Why These Roles Mattered
A lot of people think these bit parts are just "filler" on a resume. I don't see it that way. If you look closely at his performance as Mr. Wu, you can see the early seeds of that "cool guy" persona he’d eventually bring to Reggie Mantle.
He has this natural screen presence. Even in a scene where he has almost no dialogue and is mostly just looking handsome before getting stabbed, you can't really look away.
Reality Check: The "Murphy" Effect
Ryan Murphy has a habit of "collecting" actors. He sees someone he likes—usually someone with a specific look—and brings them back for different projects. Melton actually started on Glee as a background model before even getting AHS.
- 2014: Glee (The model)
- 2015: AHS: Hotel (Mr. Wu)
- 2021: American Horror Stories (Wyatt)
It shows a level of loyalty to the directors who gave him his first shot. In an industry that usually forgets you the second you’re not the "it" person, staying connected to that network is smart business.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often confuse his appearances. Because he’s been in both the main show (Hotel) and the spin-off (Stories), fans frequently argue about which character is which.
To be clear: Mr. Wu is the ghost. Wyatt is the influencer. One died by a knife, the other by a very angry Danny Trejo.
Also, some fans think he was a series regular. He wasn't. He was a guest star. But in the world of American Horror Story, a guest star can often leave a bigger impact than the leads—especially if their death scene is sufficiently messed up.
Moving Beyond the Horror
Looking at where he is in 2026, it’s wild to think about those early days. He’s transitioned from being the "hot ghost" or the "jock" into a genuinely respected dramatic actor.
His work in May December changed the trajectory of his career. He proved he could hold his own against legends like Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. He isn't just a face anymore; he’s an artist.
What to Watch Next
If you want to see the evolution of Charles Melton, don't just stick to the horror stuff.
- Watch the Hotel episodes: Specifically "Room 33" and the season finale "Be Our Guest."
- Check out "The Naughty List": It’s campy, it’s ridiculous, and it’s a fun 40 minutes of television.
- Stream May December: This is where you see the real talent.
He’s currently slated for more high-profile projects, including Beef Season 2. The days of him playing "unnamed model" are long gone.
If you're tracking his career, the best thing you can do is go back and re-watch those two AHS seasons. You'll see an actor who was clearly destined for something bigger than a haunted hotel bathtub. Pay attention to the subtle shifts in his energy between Mr. Wu and Wyatt; it’s a masterclass in how to play a "type" while still making the character feel distinct.
Check out the FX on Hulu archives to find these specific episodes, as they usually stay put there. Once you've seen the range from silent ghost to obnoxious YouTuber to award-winning dramatic lead, you'll have a much better handle on why Charles Melton is one of the most interesting actors working today.