Sept. 6, 2006

Melina Kanakaredes, Point Park College (Pa.)

Graduated: 1989
Major - Musical Theater/Acting

Kanakaredes transferred to Point Park College (Pa.) after being named runner-up in the Miss Ohio Pageant. Interested in the Arts, Point Park's affiliation with the Pittsburgh Playhouse enabled her to gain experience acting by appearing in commercials, industrial films, and on stage at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and the Pittsburgh Public Theater. Kanakaredes graduated from Point Park magna cum laude in 1989 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater/acting.

After graduation, she began her professional career in theater, performing in both classic and musical productions. She moved to New York City, landing her first off-Broadway appearance in the play State of the Art. Soon thereafter, Melina was spotted by an agent from William Morris and won the role of Eleni Andros Cooper for four years on the daytime soap opera The Guiding Light, earning her two Emmy nominations.

An accomplished actress, Melina is best known for her roles as Detective Stella Bonasera on CSI:NY and as Benita Alden on NYPD: Blue.  She has also starred in many hit films including The Long Kiss Goodnight with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson; Rounders with Matt Damon and Edward Norton; 15 Minutes with Robert DeNiro and Kelsey Grammar; and Bleeding Hearts, directed by Gregory Hines.

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