Ira W. Meltcher (February 17, 1924 – August 19, 2005), known by the stage name Mel Welles, was an American actor, voice artist and film director.

Welles held a number of jobs during his lifetime; at one time or another he worked as a clinical psychologist, radio DJ, television actor, writer and film director.

Probably his most widely seen work in the late 1970s was his English adaptation of the Japanese television show, Spectreman which was seen on UHF and cable across the United States.

[2] In 1998, Welles took to the stage in a community theater production of Little Shop of Horrors as Mushnik, the role he created in the original Roger Corman film.

Arguably his most remembered piece is the beat poem he wrote for the classic film High School Confidential (1958).