Mel Harris, born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, made her mark in cult cinema with her role in Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987). Before stepping into the world of film, she spent over a decade in modeling across New York and Europe, which paved the way for her acting career. In Wanted: Dead or Alive, she delivers a compelling performance that complements the film's gritty narrative. Harris's journey through various genres, including her acclaimed work in television, adds depth to her contributions in the realm of cult and exploitation films.
Wanted: Dead or Alive
Nick Randall (Rutger Hauer) is a Los Angeles-based bounty hunter and ex-CIA operative who is asked by a former co-worker to help track down terrorist Malak Al-Rahim (Gene Simmons), who bombed a movie theatre and later planned to release gas from a chemical plant similar to the Bhopal disaster. However, Al-Rahim is also looking for Randall, and Randall's employers tell him where to find him. This results in the death of his best friend, Sergeant Danny Quintz (William Russ), and his girlfriend Terry (Mel Harris), eventually forcing a showdown on the waterfront. In the end, Randall brings out Al-Rahim handcuffed with a grenade jammed in his mouth. Randall explains to his bosses that they should send his payment to Quintz's family and he will keep the extra bonus for bringing him in alive. As he starts to leave, he says, "fuck the bonus" and pulls out the grenade pin. Al-Rahim's head is blown off and his decapitated body falls to the ground.
