Melina Eleni Kanakaredes Constantinides (Greek: Μελίνα Ελένη Κανακαρίδη Κωνσταντινίδη; born April 23, 1967) is a Greek-American actress. She is widely known for her roles in American primetime television dramas as Dr. Sydney Hansen in Providence (1999–2002), as Detective Stella Bonasera in CSI: NY (2004–2010), and on the American daytime television drama series Guiding Light as Eleni Andros Cooper (1991–1995).
Melina Kanakaredes | |
|---|---|
 Kanakaredes in Ohio, 2009 | |
| Born | Melina Eleni Kanakaredes April 23, 1967 Akron, Ohio, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Point Park College (B.A., Theatre, 1989) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse |
Peter Constantinides
(m. 1992) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editKanakaredes was born in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of Connie (née Temo), a candy company owner, and Harry Kanakaredes, an insurance salesman.[1][2] She is a second-generation Greek-American and speaks Greek fluently.[3] Her two maternal uncles own and run a candy store in Akron called "Temo's Candy Company", a chocolate store established in its current location by Kanakaredes's grandfather, Christ Temo.[4]
At age eight, Kanakaredes made her stage debut in a production of Tom Sawyer at Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, Ohio.[5] She graduated from the Firestone High School in Akron.[6] She attended Ohio State University for a short time, and then transferred to Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she performed roles in the professional theatre scene there, including the role of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar at Pittsburgh Musical Theater.[7] She graduated from Point Park in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater arts.[8]
Career
editTelevision
editKanakaredes's first television role was on the daytime drama Guiding Light, originating the role of Eleni Andros Cooper from 1991 to 1995. She was nominated twice for a Daytime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Eleni.
Her most high-profile roles on television were as the series protagonist Dr. Sydney Hansen on Providence, which ran for five seasons between 1999 and 2002, and as Det. Stella Bonasera on the CBS drama series CSI: NY. Kanakaredes left CSI: NY in 2010, after six seasons on the program.[9]
Other television credits include NYPD Blue (in a recurring role as reporter Benita Alden during that show's second season), Due South, Oz, The Practice, MTV's The Ben Stiller Show, a Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of the Anne Tyler novel Saint Maybe, and Dr. Lane Hunter on the Amy Holden Jones TV series The Resident.
Film
editKanakaredes's film appearances include The Long Kiss Goodnight as Trin and 15 Minutes as Nicolette Karas, the girlfriend of Robert De Niro's character. She was considered for the lead role in My Big Fat Greek Wedding but had to turn it down due to her pregnancy.[10] She played the role of the Greek Goddess Athena in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and starred in the 2013 drama Snitch alongside Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson.
Personal life
editKanakaredes married Peter Constantinides[11] on September 6, 1992.[12][13] Together, they have two daughters: Zoe (b. 2000) and Karina Eleni (b. 2003).[11] She and her husband, a former restaurant consultant,[11] owned the "Tria Greek Kuzina" in Powell, Ohio, but it has since closed.[14]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Carts | Short film | |
| 1994 | Bleeding Hearts | Daphne | |
| 1996 | The Long Kiss Goodnight | Trina 'Trin' | |
| 1999 | Dangerous Beauty | Livia | |
| 1998 | Rounders | Barbara | |
| 2001 | 15 Minutes | Nicolette Karas | |
| 2010 | Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief | Athena | |
| 2013 | Snitch | Sylvie Collins |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991–1995 | Guiding Light | Eleni Andros Cooper | Main cast |
| 1995 | Due South | Victoria Metcalf | 3 episodes |
| 1995 | New York News | Angela Villanova | 13 episodes |
| 1995 | NYPD Blue | Benita Alden | 5 episodes |
| 1997 | Leaving L.A. | Libby Galante | 6 episodes |
| 1997 | The Practice | Andrea Wexler | Episodes: "First Degree", "Sex, Lies and Monkeys" |
| 1998 | Oz | A.D.A. Marilyn Crenshaw | Episode: "Great Men" |
| 1998 | Saint Maybe | Rita | Movie |
| 1999–2002 | Providence | Dr. Sydney Hansen | Lead role |
| 2004 | CSI: Miami | Detective Stella Bonasera | Episode: "MIA/NYC Nonstop" |
| 2004–2010 | CSI: NY | Lead role 140 Episodes | |
| 2005 | Into the Fire | Catrina / Sabrina Hampton | Movie |
| 2015 | Hawaii Five-0 | Special Agent Kathy Millwood | Episode: "Nanahu" |
| 2015 | Extant | Dorothy Richter | 5 episodes |
| 2016 | Notorious | Dana Hartman | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | The Resident | Dr. Lane Hunter | Main role, season 1 Guest star, season 2 (15 episodes) |
| 2020 | Blood of Zeus[15] | Ariana | Original Netflix anime series (2 episodes) |
| 2023 | Billions | Nancy Dunlop | Episodes: "The Owl", "Axe Global" and "Admirals Fund" |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | CSI: NY | Det. Stella Bonasera (voice) | Video game |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Daytime Emmys | Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series | Guiding Light | Nominated |
| 1995 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
| 2000 | TV Guide Awards | Favorite Actress in a Drama[citation needed] | Providence | Won |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Melina Kanakaredes Biography (1967–)
- ^ "Actor Loses Guiding Light, Soap Stage Goes Dark For Firestone Grad After 22 Years in Role". Akron Beacon Journal. September 13, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
- ^ Whitfield, Fredricka (October 2, 2002). "Interview with Melina Kanakaredes". CNN. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
- ^ Byard, Katie (February 5, 2019). "Temo puts his heart into candies". Akron Beacon Journal.
- ^ Akron native Melina Kanakaredes leaving 'CSI: NY'
- ^ Profile Archived June 26, 2004, at the Wayback Machine from "Women in Akron History" from a University of Akron website
- ^ Milliner, Janice (Spring 2007). "At home with: Richard E. Rauh Conservatory & Pittsburgh Musical Theater". Designing Home Lifestyles. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
- ^ Past Distinguished Alumni Archived February 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine from the Point Park University website
- ^ "US: Melina Kanakaredes leaves CSI: NY". The Spy Report. Media Spy. July 13, 2010. Archived from the original on July 16, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
- ^ Pierce, Scott D. (February 16, 2003). "Mega-hit 'Wedding' had inauspicious beginning". Deseret News (Salt Lake City). Retrieved July 11, 2008.
- ^ a b c Kanakaredes savors her married life from USA Today
- ^ "Melina Kanakaredes on TV.com, Biography". TV.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
- ^ "The Melina Kanakaredes Picture Pages". SuperiorPics.com. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
- ^ Official website Archived November 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine for Tria Greek Kuzina
- ^ "Netflix Orders 'Gods & Heroes' Greek Mythology Anime Series". Deadline Hollywood. March 12, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.