Melina Kanakaredes starred for five seasons in the television series Providence. Her other television credits include New York News, on CBS, Leaving L.A., NYPD Blue and guest-starring roles in The Practice and Oz. She also received two Emmy Award nominations for her work in the daytime drama Guiding Light, on CBS.

Her feature film credits include Into the Fire, Rounders, Dangerous Beauty, The Long Kiss Goodnight and 15 Minutes.

Kanakaredes is a second-generation Greek American. She made her acting debut at age 8 in an Ohio community theater production of Tom Sawyer. She attended Ohio State University, where she studied music, dance and theater. She later transferred to Point Park College in Pittsburgh, which recently awarded her an honorary doctorate.

She appeared in commercials, in industrial films and on stage in Pittsburgh. Upon graduation, she moved to New York where she appeared in Off Broadway plays.

In 2001, she became a celebrity spokesperson for Maybelline, featured in their national television and print campaigns. In 2003, after the birth of her second child, she appeared on Broadway as Sally Bowles in Cabaret.

Kanakaredes was born and raised in Akron, Ohio.