Award-winning indie film star and activist Mel England rounds out the cast of A Wonderful Life, an LGBTQ+ Christmas movie from writer/director Jeff London. He joins Ben Stobber and David McMahon in the feature that follows Bailey (McMahon), who cares for his mom ailing (Elaine Ballace) while still mourning the loss of his dog. Compounding that, Bailey is losing his job in a couple of months when his boss tells him he's getting permanently laid off after Christmas. He’s also nervous about seeing his childhood best friend, Greyson (Stobber), whom he hasn’t seen in over 30 years. The reunion gives him new hope and love and shows him what a wonderful life he truly has. England plays Jack, Bailey’s troubled brother, who returns home to be with his family for Christmas.
The film is set to begin production in late June in Utah and reteams England and London for a second time. England starred in the award-winning LGBTQ+ feature Best Day Ever, helmed by London in 2014, available on Amazon.
“Jeff’s movies tell the stories about the lives of small-town LGBTQ+ people, largely overlooked in studio films,” said England. “I was honored when Jeff asked me to play Jack, a kind of loner battling his demons in this unforgiving world. He’s trying to come home – and we all need that,” said England.
London added, “I am thrilled Mel wanted to take on this role. The role is perfect for him, which will assuredly translate into an outstanding depiction of Jack.”
Produced under London’s Radioactive Cactus, executive producers are David-Matthew Barnes, John Brumfield, and Paul Burchett.
England recently wrapped production on Here We Are, directed by the Emmy®-nominated Billy Clift, which he starred in, co-wrote, and produced through his Magical Iguana Productions. The feature is due to hit the festival circuit in 2024. He also stars in the play “Electricity” as Brad in a production that began in Palm Springs several years and toured Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and across the US. It will run on Off-Broadway this Fall with Tony Award®-winning Sue Vaccaro producing. He won multiple awards for the role, including Best Actor in a Tour from Lavender Magazine and Best Actor at the DTL Awards. Additionally, England is known for his one-man show “Swimming with the Polar Bears,” which premiered on Off-Broadway as part of a benefit for The Climate Project, with posters of the show signed by former Vice President Al Gore and toured worldwide to the 2009 UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, LA, and DC’s National Mall for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.
Stobber is in “Bloodthirst” alongside Tara Reid, to be distributed by Lionsgate later this year, and McMahon in “The Demon of Serling.”
England is repped by Alexandria de Rossi at The Firm LA Model & Talent Agency.
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About MEL ENGLAND
Mel England has starred on screen and stage, Off-Broadway, internationally, and across the USA. In the title role of "Ron and Laura Take Back America,” England won Best Acting Ensemble, two Best Actor nominations, and the feature he co-wrote and co-directed with Janice Markham earned 14 other wins and noms, including Best Comedy & Best Director. He appeared alongside Academy Award Best Actress Nominee & Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland in "Archeology of a Woman.” He is seen in Emmy-nominated Director Billy Clift’s award-winning “No Goodbyes” on Amazon Prime & HereTV. England also starred in "Little Big Top" with Sid Haig, released on Netflix, the dark comedy "Persona Au Gratin" (Best Comedy, IndieFest), and "Highlights" (Best Drama Nominee, Moviefone Film Festival). Most recently, indie "From Zero to I Love You" and "Fame at a Deadly Cost" on Lifetime and Canal. Other Off-Broadway credits include "Hecuba," "Marriage," & "Imaginary Invalid." England's first solo show, "Navajo Memoirs," was dubbed "Ingenious" by Backstage.
