Melanie Olmstead was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and had a great love for horses. She was an important member of the Yellowstone film crew, a popular show on the Paramount Network that follows the Dutton family, who own the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, often referred to as “the Yellowstone”. She was also in charge of location management and transportation for many other successful Hollywood films, including Hereditary, Snatchers, and Good Joe Bell. Sadly, she passed away in 2019, but her legacy will live on in many films and hearts around the world.
Melanie Olmstead: Yellowstone
Melanie kicked off her career in the Hollywood film industry as a location assistant for the 2000 film Primary Suspect. She managed location and transportation for several Hollywood films throughout her 19 years in the profession, but is most known for her work on the set of Paramount Network’s Yellowstone. She was a film crew member, working behind the scenes as the transportation and location lead on the Yellowstone set. She assisted with set preparation and transporting the cast, crew, and equipment. The Yellowstone season 2 finale featured a title card as a tribute to her memory, with the words, “In memory of Melanie Olmstead 1968-2019” appearing in the episode titled “Sins of the Father”.
Olmstead also worked as a driver on the sets of Good Joe Bell, Hereditary, Snatchers (eight episodes), Andi Mack (12 episodes), Wind River, Wild Horses, Point Break, Jackie & Ryan, 12 Dogs of Christmas: Great Puppy Rescue, John Carter, Darling Companion, Frozen, and Benji: Off the Leash!
Melanie Olmstead: Age
Melanie Olmstead was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 15, 1968. She died in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 25, 2019. She was 50 years old.
Melanie Olmstead: Cause of Death
The circumstances behind Melanie Olmstead’s death are unknown at this time.
Melanie Olmstead: Obituary
On July 30th, her friends held a celebration of life in her honor in Salt Lake City, and had a horse ride in her honor the day before.
A friend wrote about the event on Facebook:
“Celebration of life for Melanie Olmstead was amazing! Horsewomen, Writers, Artists, Theater, Film, cast and crew peeps! Some I have known for 30 years! What beautiful souls! My Salt Lake family! Ride on, our beautiful Melanie Olmstead!”
Another close friend recounted her first time meeting Melanie:
“I remember the first time I ever saw Melanie’s sweet face … back in the 90s. And every time thereafter I marveled at her calm presence. Such loss.”
A friend from high school wrote about Mel and said:
“My memories of Mel are of a brilliant, funny and slightly twisted woman of character. I have held her in my heart for over 30 years.”
She clearly touched the hearts of many people and will be greatly missed.
Melanie Olmstead: Wife
At the time of her passing, Olmstead was a happily married woman. She tied the knot with another woman who resided in Utah named Annalise Ford at Tracy Aviary & Botanical Garden. On December 31, 2015, the two began a wonderful life together after their marriage. Annalise even took to Facebook on June 27, 2016 to send her wife well wishes for the first six months of their marriage.
Melanie Olmstead: Parents and Family
Janet Corbridge and Reid Howard adopted Olmstead as their daughter following the tragic loss of their infant child in 1960. Reid and his wife Janet decided to expand their family by adopting Melanie in 1968.
Reid was a member of the United States Army and served as a missionary for the LDS church in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, he worked at the Defense Depot in Ogden for 25 years until taking early retirement in 1991.
In April 1979, Melanie’s adoptive mother, Janet, passed away as a result of ongoing complications with diabetes. Reid wed his second wife, Loa Rose Hanson, a native of Delta, Utah, in the Ogden temple in February 1982, shortly after the passing of Janet. Reid and Hanson were together for 34 years until he passed away on June 11, 2016.
Melanie Olmstead: Passions
Since she was a little girl, Melanie Olmstead had a passion for horses. Her horse, Mahogany, passed away a month after she did. In her final Facebook post on June 13, 2018, Melanie wrote a message wishing her horse “Mahogany” a happy 37th birthday.
My love affair with horses started about the time I learned to walk, but I didn’t get my first ‘just mine’ horse until I was an adult. This beautiful, amazing girl has been with me since college and recently celebrated her 37th birthday—for my non-horsey friends, that’s over 100 in human years—and she’s still doing great! Happy birthday, Mahogany, and thanks for being my oldest friend.
Melanie Olmstead: Net Worth
At the time of her death, Olmstead was reported to be worth $900,000. Her behind-the-scenes efforts in movies and TV series brought her great, well deserved success.
Rest in peace, Melanie.
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