Мелина Канакаредес: Американская актриса греческого происхождения

American actress

Melina Eleni Kanakaredes Constantinides (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).

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. 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. 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. She graduated from Point Park in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater arts.

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.

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.

Kanakaredes married Peter Constantinides on September 6, 1992. Together, they have two daughters: Zoe (b. 2000) and Karina Eleni (b. 2003).

Year Title Role Notes1991–1995Guiding LightEleni Andros CooperMain cast1995Due SouthVictoria Metcalf3 episodes1995New York NewsAngela Villanova13 episodes1995NYPD BlueBenita Alden5 episodes1997Leaving L. A. Libby Galante6 episodes1997Andrea WexlerEpisodes: "First Degree", "Sex, Lies and Monkeys"1998OzA. D. A. Marilyn CrenshawEpisode: "Great Men"1998Saint MaybeRitaMovie1999–2002ProvidenceDr. Sydney HansenLead role2004CSI: Miami Detective Stella BonaseraEpisode: "MIA/NYC Nonstop"2004–2010CSI: NYLead role 140 Episodes2005Into the FireCatrina / Sabrina HamptonMovie2015Hawaii Five 0Special Agent Kathy MillwoodEpisode: "Nanahu"2015ExtantDorothy Richter5 episodes2016NotoriousDana Hartman2 episodes2018The ResidentDr. Lane HunterMain role, season 1 Guest star, season 2 (15 episodes)2020Blood of ZeusArianaOriginal Netflix anime series (2 episodes)2023BillionsNancy DunlopEpisode: "The Owl"

Year Title Role Notes2008CSI: NYDet. Stella Bonasera (voice)Video game