I know her as Megan from the Progressive TV ad or the gal from the latest Milo's Dog Treats TV ad. Melamie is very recognized and memorable by her voice, however she was on Notes from the underbelly and I don't remember her from that! Also found that Melanie has worked with Yoplait and 1-800 Dentist.
So I would say between 8 and 13- depending on the maturity level of your child. In texas there is no law that stipulates when a child is old enough to stay home alone. In fact there was a news story on this just this month (I'm pasting the details for you below.). Good luck!
There isn't a catch-all formula for knowing when children are old enough to stay home alone. Children mature at different rates, so the magic age for an older child may be different for a younger sibling. By 12 years, many children are capable of spending some time alone, but every child and family situation is different. Some states may regulate how old a child must be before staying home alone. In Missouri, there is no legal age limit; in Illinois, a child must be 14 years old. Parents should evaluate many different factors before deciding to skip a baby sitter for the summer, says Dr. Heidi Sallee, a pediatrician experienced in adolescent issues at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.