Melina Kanakaredes

Melina Eleni Kanakaredes Constantinides (Greek: Μελίνα Ελένη Κανακαρίδη Κωνσταντινίδη; born April 23, 1967) is an American actress. She is widely known for her roles in U.S. 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

(1967-04-23) April 23, 1967
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Alma materPoint Park College (B A., Theater, 1989)
OccupationActress
Years active1991–present
Spouse
Peter Constantinides
​
​
(m. 1992)​
Children2

Early life

Kanakaredes 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

Television

Kanakaredes'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

Kanakaredes'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

Kanakaredes 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

Film
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
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 Episode: "The Owl"

Video games
Year Title Role Notes
2008 CSI: NY Det. Stella Bonasera (voice) Video game

Awards and nominations
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 Providence Won

See also

References
  1. Melina Kanakaredes Biography (1967–)
  2. "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.
  3. Whitfield, Fredricka (October 2, 2002). "Interview with Melina Kanakaredes". CNN. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  4. Temo's candy is an Easter tradition in Akron, a March 2007 Akron Beacon Journal article via Topix.net
  5. Akron native Melina Kanakaredes leaving 'CSI: NY'
  6. Profile Archived June 26, 2004, at the Wayback Machine from "Women in Akron History" from a University of Akron website
  7. Milliner, Janice (Spring 2007). "At home with: Richard E. Rauh Conservatory & Pittsburgh Musical Theater". Designing Home Lifestyles. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  8. Past Distinguished Alumni Archived February 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine from the Point Park University website
  9. "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.
  10. Pierce, Scott D. (February 16, 2003). "Mega-hit 'Wedding' had inauspicious beginning". Deseret News (Salt Lake City). Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  11. Kanakaredes savors her married life from USA Today
  12. "Melina Kanakaredes on TV.com, Biography". TV.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  13. "The Melina Kanakaredes Picture Pages". SuperiorPics.com. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  14. Official website Archived November 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine for Tria Greek Kuzina
  15. "Netflix Orders 'Gods & Heroes' Greek Mythology Anime Series". Deadline.com. March 12, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
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