Melina Kanakaredes Biography

Fast Facts

• Was nominated for the 1992 Soap Opera Digest Award for outstanding female newcomer
• Studied music and dance at Ohio State University and later at Point Park College in Pennsylvania
• A second-generation Greek-American, she oftens travels back to Greece with loved ones on her time off
• Quote: "I think a foundation of family is what is most important․ I was born in a family that came from Greece and the history is so amazingly rich․ And although we all take credit for that history and it's been thousands and thousands of years, it is an inspiring thing no matter what you do in life․"
• Quote: "I think we all have the ability to lose track․ But dreams are still important, because if you stop dreaming and stop trying to achieve something, then you lose․"
• Earned her first recurring television role on the daytime soap, "Guiding Light" from 1991 to 1995
• She often appears in local stage productions of favorites including Cabaret and Jesus Christ Superstar while not filming for television and film, a hobby she has kept since making her professional stage debut in college
• Following a successful five-season run on NBC's "Providence" in the early 2000s, she would land prominent roles on "CSI: NY" by 2004
• Made her directorial debut with an episode of "Providence" and eventually her writing debut seven years later for a 2009 episode of "CSI: NY"
• Competed in the 1986 Miss Ohio Pageant, the winner of which eventually went on to compete for the Miss America title
• She was heavily considered for the lead role in 2002's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", however, her pregnancy left her unable to accept the role
• Once owned the Tri Greek Kuzina restaurant in Powell, Ohio, with her husband Peter