Adrian Mellon is a minor yet pivotal character in the novel IT and It: Chapter Two.
He was a young, asthmatic, gay man in Derry, Maine and in a relationship with Don Hagarty.
Quick Answers
Who is Adrian Mellon in Stephen King's 'IT'?
How does Adrian Mellon's character die in 'IT'?
What is the significance of Adrian Mellon's relationship with Don Hagarty in 'IT'?
Does the character of Adrian Mellon reflect Stephen King's views on homophobia?
Book[]
In the book, Adrian is a freelance writer from Portland, in Derry on assignment to write about the canal when he met Don Hagarty, and chose not to leave. He had been casually working on a novel "since his third year of college, and that had been twelve years ago." He grew fond of the town despite its violent homophobic attitude and only agrees to leave because of Don. Before leaving, the two attend the town fair and on the way home, they are harassed by three homophobic teens, Webby Garton, Steven Bishoff Dubay and Chris Unwin. However, Adrian fights back, making cheeky comments. Just before a fight is about to break out, the teens are stopped by a police officer, who tells Mellon and Hagarty to leave before things get worse. The teens later confront Adrian and Don at The Kissing Bridge and brutally physically assault the two men, particularly Adrian not allowing him his aspirator, in the novel Adrian laughs during the beating. After the teens throw him over the bridge, Pennywise drags him out of the water and bites him "like he was going for his heart." while Don and Chris witness and later recall to the police. One officer mentions this to the ADA, who hotly dismisses this. They do not take Don seriously due to his revealing outfit. At the court trial, nobody mentions Pennywise. After Adrian's body was found, he was buried in the Derry Cemetery. He was described wearing A "Derry High" Tee, and a Derry Hat that was won at a Pitch Till U Win stall because he loved this 'Shitty Little Town' as Don describes.
It (1990)[]
Adrian does not appear in the 1990 miniseries nor is he mentioned or referenced in any way making him a non-existing character in the show.
It: Chapter Two[]
- "I don't, but Meg Ryan called. She wants her wig back."
- ―Mellon to Webby
Adrian appears in the beginning of It: Chapter Two. Like the book, he attends a festival with his boyfriend, Don and is harassed by the group of homophobic teenagers and later beaten and thrown into the canal by them, eventually being killed by Pennywise in front of Don Hagarty who runs after him. In this adaptation he still wears the Derry themed beaver hat along with a pink shirt, tight blue jeans, a collared jacket, a necklace with a ring on it and black Cuban-heel boots.
Pennywise later uses Adrian's zombified body as a form to taunt Richie briefly, presenting Richie with a flyer for his funeral.
Trivia[]
- Adrian death is inspired by the murder of Charlie Howard in Bangor, Maine in 1984.
Gallery[]
