For Melissa Coles—Indiana resident, award-winning actress, author and public speaker—acting wasn’t something she set out to pursue. But Texas played an important part in her journey. 

In fact, when her friend Debbie Paulson first approached her about a role in the movie Lifemark, Coles turned her down. She thought the character was too soft and worried it wouldn’t showcase what she could do. But that unexpected opportunity became part of a much larger story—one that began years earlier with a deeply personal decision, led to the award-winning documentary I Lived on Parker Ave., and eventually opened the door to acting, public speaking and a growing list of film projects.

In Lifemark, Coles saw pieces of a story that was already woven into her own life. The film, inspired by her experience of choosing life and later reuniting with the son she had placed for adoption, brought her journey to an entirely new audience. Since then, Coles has embraced acting with the same determination that has shaped so much of her life. From faith-centered productions to action-oriented projects, she says she’s learning not to put limits on herself—and to keep saying yes to opportunities that once might have seemed out of reach.

FROM “NO” TO “LIFEMARK”

You were initially hesitant about taking the role in “Lifemark.” What changed your mind?

What drew me to the film was my friend Debbie Paulson. She approached me to play a role, and I originally told her no. I thought the role was too soft for me. She said it would be a good experience for producers and directors to see me in different types of roles rather than just the bad girl.

For someone discovering me for the first time, I’d say I’m learning and growing each day. I’m certainly no Sandra Bullock. I’m still green, and that’s OK. At least I’m doing it.

AN ACTING CAREER SHE NEVER PLANNED

What led you to acting in the first place?

My career in acting was not something I set out to do. I was in a documentary a few years back called I Lived on Parker Ave. It’s a free, award-winning documentary showing me reuniting with my birth son 19 years after he was placed for adoption.

I was on an abortion table and could not go through with it less than five seconds before the procedure. I could feel the doctor’s hand brush up against my left leg. I told him, “No, stop.” I was able to get out, and my son was placed with a loving family in Louisiana.

That is an entire story in itself, but after the documentary was completed, I became a public speaker, which also wasn’t on my radar or part of my plans.

Actor Kirk Cameron was sent the documentary by a friend of his. Kirk took it to the Kendrick Brothers and said, “I’m thinking of doing a movie on this. What do you think?” The Kendricks said, “We love it and want to be part of it.”

Hence, Lifemark.

During the making of Lifemark, I was invited to spend a week on set during filming, and it relit a fire in me that I thought was just a dream. A few weeks after filming wrapped, a movie called Disciples in the Moonlight, about Bible smuggling, was being filmed. I auditioned and was offered the role of Emily, playing opposite Todd Terry.

All three—I Lived on Parker Ave., Lifemark and Disciples in the Moonlight—were in theaters. That’s when the acting bug really soared, and I just couldn’t get enough. What I thought was a one-time thing turned into something much bigger.

FINDING HER WAY BACK

You’ve also spoken about how working on “Still Small Voice” affected your faith. What was that experience like for you?

My faith influence during the making of Still Small Voice was perfect timing because I’d struggled in my faith over the last few years. Being around faith-minded people and on a faith-based set was good and healthy for me. We prayed a lot on set, so it was kind of like a mini revival for me.

If you met my friend Debbie, you would understand. She is one of the most incredible people I have ever gotten to know and become close with. She is like a sister to me.

I believe being on the set of Still Small Voice helped me back to my Father. I’d spent time questioning Him and being angry. I believe it was exactly what I needed at that time.

FROM INDIANA TO TEXAS

You’re from Indiana. What was it like coming to Texas to film?

I was born and raised in Columbus, Indiana, and in 2016 moved to Hope, Indiana, which is only about 20 minutes away. I flew to Poolville, Texas, to be on set for Still Small Voice.

Being on the set there in Poolville was amazing because we were shooting where The Chosen was filmed. I love the feel of a small town. I’m not comfortable in big cities. I have PTSD, so I get nervous in big cities.

I didn’t have any time to visit and explore while on set. We had a tight schedule, but I really did enjoy my time there in Texas.

FINDING HER PLACE BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

You’ve worked in both faith-based films and other types of productions. Has moving between those worlds been challenging?

It’s a lot different being on a faith-based set, as I would soon find out. The faith-based sets were more family-oriented, of course. Once I started working outside of faith-based films, I would eventually start to have a family there as well, but it’s just different.

One of the big things I’ve run into are comments like, “How can you go from doing faith-based movies into mainstream movies?”

I’ve been judged a lot. I said from the start that I wanted to be in mainstream movies because I love action. I love to fight, shoot guns, shoot bows, throw knives, ride ATVs and so on.

Sometimes it feels lonely. I feel like the faith-based people don’t want me because I do mainstream movies. Then it feels like the mainstream side doesn’t want me because I do faith-based movies.

I don’t understand why it must be that way on either side. I know where my boundaries are. I have had a couple of incidents, which I will not speak about, that made it obvious that people felt we could do a favor for a favor. I will not do that. I will never cross that line.

A FAMILY ON SET

What stood out to you about working on “Still Small Voice”?

I really enjoyed the cast and crew on Still Small Voice. They all felt like family to me. Everyone helped everyone, and in the independent world, you often wear many hats because there isn’t much, if any, money in independent filmmaking.

Something that stuck out to me during filming—and I’m embarrassed about—is that my lines had to be fed to me. It wasn’t the first time, but it’s happened to me on one other set as well.

It scares me because my dad has dementia, and that’s in the back of my mind a lot. So, I have only agreed to roles where there isn’t super-heavy dialogue until I can work past it. I would never want to hold up a production.

I also loved this team because there were no snide remarks about my lines, which I knew front and back. They were patient and helped me through it. I was so grateful to be part of such an amazing team of people.

LEARNING NOT TO PUT LIMITS ON HERSELF

What have you learned about yourself as an actress?

Not to put limits on myself. I feel like I’ve done that my entire life with everything, not just acting.

I was beaten down my entire life. I’ve been told I dream too big. It doesn’t happen for people like me. I’m just a dumb little country girl.

As much as I would love to say it doesn’t bother me, it stuck with me. I need to say yes more and, honestly, I need to learn to say no more as well.

I’m understanding how important it is to take chances you may be intimidated by. One thing about me: when I hear doubt and the word “no,” it fuels me and will not allow me to quit.

BEYOND THE SCREEN

What keeps you busy when you’re not acting?

I love to write. I wrote my first book called LIFEPRIINT: The Power of ONE Yes. I completed my first journal called Journal Your Power Back. I’m finishing up my second journal called Scars to Armor.

My first children’s book is done, called Fingerpainting in the Womb, minus the illustrations. And I started a kids’ series.

I love shooting guns, throwing knives, shooting a bow, fishing, kickboxing, bonfires, off-roading—anything that raises my adrenaline, like skydiving and ziplining.

I love romantic date nights, and of course, time with my mom, kids, grandkids and fur-baby Velcro.

Social Media

IMDB   https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9401903/

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Cover photo courtesy Melissa Coles

Bob Valleau is a regular entertainment writer for Texas Lifestyle Magazine.