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Melissa Leo Biography

Birth Name:
Melissa Chessington Leo
Birth Place:
New York, New York, United States
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • Beat out Julia Roberts for the part of Linda Warner on All My Children
  • Appeared in the 1990 music video for Billy Joel's "Downeaster Alexa
  • " Best known for her role as police officer Kay Howard on Homicide: Life on the Street
  • Won an Independent Spirit Award and was nominated for an Oscar, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Award for her performance in 2008 indie drama Frozen River
  • Wanted to be an actor since her mother took her to the Peter Schumann Bread and Puppet Theatre Workshop as a child

Awards

  • 2016Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or A Movie: nominated
  • 2015Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2013Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2011Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2010Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2010Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2010Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2010Tribeca Film Festival-Best New York Narrative. Special Jury Mention: winner
  • 2010National Society of Film Critics-Best Supporting Actress (Runner-up): winner
  • 2010New York Film Critics Circle-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2009Independent Spirit Awards-Best Female Lead: winner
  • 2009Critics' Choice Awards-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2008Utah Film Critics-Best Actress: winner
  • 2008Detroit Film Critics Society-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2008Chicago Film Critics Association-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2008Alliance of Women Film Journalists-Hanging in There Award for Persistence: winner
  • 2008National Board of Review-Spotlight Award: winner
  • 2008Women Film Critics Circle-Best Actress: winner
  • 2008Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2008Florida Film Critics-Best Actress: winner
  • 2008Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2003Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress (Runner-up): winner

Relationships