Melina Kanakaredes
Melina Kanakaredes in Ohio (2009).
Born	Melina Eleni Kanakaredes (1967-04-23) April 23, 1967 (age 45) Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1991–present
Spouse	Peter Constantinides (September 6, 1992–present)

Melina Eleni Kanakaredes Constantinides (Greek: Μελίνα Ελένη Κανακαρίδου Κωνσταντινiδου;^[1] born April 23, 1967) is an American actress. She is widely known for two starring roles on U.S. prime-time television drama series; playing Detective Stella Bonasera in CSI: NY and portraying Dr. Sydney Hansen in Providence.

CBS confirmed in July 2010 that Kanakaredes would not be returning for the seventh season of CSI: NY.^[2]

Early life[link]

Kanakaredes was born in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of Connie (née Temo; b. 1936), a candy company owner, and Harry Kanakaredes (b. 1928), an insurance salesman.^[3][4] She is a second-generation Greek-American and speaks Greek.^[5][6] 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' grandfather, Christ Temo.^[7] She has two sisters: Cornelia "Lia" (b. 1961) and Aretta Kanakaredes (b. 1962).

At age 8, Kanakaredes made her stage debut in a production of "Tom Sawyer" at Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, Ohio.^[8] She graduated from the Firestone High School in Akron.^[6] 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.^[9] She graduated from Point Park in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater arts.^[10]

Career[link]

Television[link]

Kanakaredes' first television role was on the daytime drama Guiding Light, originating the role of Eleni Andros Spaulding 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.^[2]

Her other television credits include NYPD Blue (in a recurring role as reporter Benita Alden during that show's second season), Northern Exposure, Due South, Oz, The Practice, MTV's The Ben Stiller Show, and a Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of the Anne Tyler novel Saint Maybe.

Film[link]

Kanakaredes' 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.^[11] She played the role of the Greek Goddess Athena in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.

Personal life[link]

Kanakaredes married Peter Constantinides^[12] on September 6, 1992.^[13][14] Together, they have two daughters: Zoe (b. May 23, 2000) and Karina Eleni (b. January 25, 2003).^[12] She and her husband, a former restaurant consultant,^[12] owned the "Tria Greek Kuzina" in Powell, Ohio, but it has since closed.^[15] When she was once asked why she doesn't use her husband's last name professionally, she stated, "It's even more difficult to pronounce than my maiden name."

Filmography[link]

See also Famous Greek Americans

References[link]

External links[link]

• Melina Kanakaredes at the Internet Movie Database
• CSI: NY cast member biography at CBS