Melina Kanakaredes, b. 1967

Melina Kanakaredes is an actress, best known for her role on the prime-time television series "Providence."

Kanakaredes was born in Akron, Ohio, on April 23, 1967, to a Greek-American family. Her first name comes from the Greek prefix Meli, which means honey. She was born the youngest of three daughters to an insurance salesman and a homemaker. Her family owned a candy store in Akron called Temo's Chocolate Company. When she comes back to Akron to visit family, she still goes to Temo's, which is now owned by her uncle.

Kanakaredes graduated from Firestone High School and started her entertainment career in a community theater. While attending high school at Firestone, she appeared in plays at a nearby all-boys school.

Kanakaredes attended Ohio State University briefly but then transferred to Point Park College in Pittsburgh, which is affiliated with the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Before long, young Kanakaredes was appearing in productions at the Playhouse as well as the Pittsburgh Public Theatre. She also made appearences in commercials and industrial films.

After graduating with honors with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in theater from Point Park, Kanakaredes moved to New York City, where she worked in the off-Broadway play, "State of the Art."

In 1991, she landed the part of Eleni Andros Cooper (no. 1) on the popular daytime drama, "The Guiding Light." She earned two Emmy nominations for that role. The role also led to her being cast for a brief role on "NYPD Blue," and eventually co-star roled in "New York News," "Leaving L.A," and "Oz" before settling on "Providence" in 1999.

Kanakaredes has also appeared in feature films such as the 1998 Casino hit "Rounders," "Dangerous Beauty," "The Long Kiss Goodnight" and, most recently, "15 Minutes." She also appeared in the television movie "Saint Maybe" in 1998.

Kanakaredes is married to chef/restauranteur Peter Constantinades. They have a daughter Zoe. The family lives in Los Angeles, although Kanakaredes has just joined the Roundabout Theatre Co.'s production of "Cabaret." She plays Sally Bowles.

Photo courtesy of Playbill, Inc., copyright 2003.

--Casey Moore