Kathryn Melton

Up-and-coming actress Kate Melton had the unusual experience of finding success portraying a cartoon character she had loved since childhood, Daphne, in the "Scooby Doo!" live-action television movies. Melton was so passionate a fan of the show that she dressed up as her favorite character on more than a few Halloweens. Attracted to performing in high school, Melton broke into film with a small role in the science fiction mystery "Freaky Faron" in 2006. After a few more minor parts in television series, Melton learned of a casting call for "Scooby Doo! The Mystery Begins," whose story would relate how the teen organization Mystery, Inc. was created. Although the role of Daphne had been played with success in two previous live-action movies by Sarah Michelle Gellar, by 2009 the producers for the television movie were looking for an entirely fresh cast. Melton auditioned and, to her delight, won the starring role. Although admitting it took a little getting used to working with the puppet stand-in for the talking Great Dane, Scooby, Melton quickly adapted. Melton reprised her role as Daphne the following year in "Scooby Doo! Mystery of the Lake Monster" with equal success, followed by a video short, "Scooby Doo: The Whole World Loves You."