Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) plays a complex role during carcinogenesis. It may either act as a tumor suppressor through its broad antiproliferative potential or as a tumor promoter either via direct effects on tumor cell aggressiveness or indirectly by modulating stromal responses, angiogenesis and immune surveillance. Increased production of TGF‐β by cancer cells is often associated with tumor grade. Melanoma cells largely escape cell cycle arrest normally induced by TGF‐β in normal melanocytes, yet produce active TGF‐β and are capable of efficient transcriptional responses to the growth factor. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the role played by TGF‐β in melanoma progression and hypothesize about the appropriateness of targeting TGF‐β signaling for therapeutic intervention.