Melina Kanakaredes

Melina Eleni Kanakaredes Constantinides ( el, 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).

Early life

Kanakaredes was born in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of Connie (née Temo), a candy company owner, and Harry Kanakaredes, an insurance salesman. She is a second-generation Greek-American and speaks Greek fluently. 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.Temo's candy is an Easter tradition in Akron
a March 2007 ''Akron Beacon Journal'' article via Topix.net

At age eight, Kanakaredes made her stage debut in a production of ''Tom Sawyer'' at Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, Ohio. She graduated from the Firestone High School in Akron.Profile
from "Women in Akron History" from a University of Akron website She attended The 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. She graduated from Point Park in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater arts.

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.

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.
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 ConstantinidesKanakaredes savors her married life
from ''USA Today'' on September 6, 1992. Together, they have two daughters: Zoe (b. 2000) and Karina Eleni (b. 2003). She and her husband, a former restaurant consultant, owned the "Tria Greek Kuzina" in Powell, Ohio, but it has since closed.Official website
for Tria Greek Kuzina

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Awards and nominations

See also

* List of Greek Americans

References

External links

*

''CSI: NY'' cast member biography
at CBS

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kanakaredes, Melina
1967 births
20th-century American actresses
21st-century American actresses
American people of Greek descent
American soap opera actresses
American television actresses
American video game actresses
Living people
Actresses from Akron, Ohio
Point Park University alumni