Melina Kanakaredes (born April 23, 1967 in Akron, Ohio) is an American actress best known for her television roles. She is a second-generation Greek-American and speaks fluent Greek.
She attended Ohio State University, where she competed in synchronized swimming and was first runner-up in the Miss Ohio pageant. She transferred to Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater.
She married in 1992 and has two daughters.
Her recurring television roles include:
She was nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards for her role on Guiding Light.
She had guest roles in Northern Exposure, Oz and The Practice. She was considered for the lead role in My Big Fat Greek Wedding but had to turn it down due to pregnancy.
