Melissa Leo
Born Sept. 14, 1960, in New York City, prolific character actress Melissa Leo disappears so thoroughly in her roles that despite decades of film and television work, she goes largely unrecognized out in public.

Educated at the State University of New York, Purchase, Leo began her screen career in 1984 with a stint on "All My Children," receiving a Daytime Emmy nod for her work. She soon became a small-screen staple, appearing in myriad guest roles before landing her next series gig on "The Young Riders." The TV work for which she's best known, however, is her portrayal of Kay Howard on "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993-97).

Leo also has numerous films to her credit, earning critical acclaim as Benicio Del Toro's wife in 21 Grams (2003) and receiving an Oscar nod for her depiction of a struggling single mom in 2008's Frozen River. She won her first Academy Award and a Golden Globe in 2011 for her supporting turn in The Fighter.

Featured Movies
  • Frozen RiverFrozen River

    On a Mohawk reservation on the Canadian border, Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo, in an Oscar-nominated turn) teams with widowed tribe member Lila Littlewolf (Misty Upham) to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States. Though the work provides the women with much-needed money, each trip puts them in... Read More

  • Racing DaylightRacing Daylight

    After returning to the family farm to take care of her comatose grandmother (Leclanche Durand), Sadie Stokes (Melissa Leo) sees the ghost of a Civil War soldier (David Strathairn) in the mirror and begins to take on the persona of her own ancestor, Anna. Before long, she is caught up in a mysterious... Read More

  • Deadtime Stories: Tales of DeathDeadtime Stories: Tales of Death

    When his bratty young nephew's fear of the dark keeps him from falling asleep, sadistic Uncle Mike (Michael Mesmer) makes matters worse by telling him a trio of warped bedtime stories, played out in live action. Director Jeffrey Delman's campy film puts a decidedly horrific spin on three classic... Read More

  • ConfessConfess

    A mischievous computer hacker (Eugene Byrd) becomes a media darling when he begins broadcasting the bad behavior of prominent businessmen, politicians and other elite power brokers using a clever arrangement of hidden cameras. With the help of an enthusiastic accomplice (Ali Larter, of "Heroes"... Read More

  • Stephanie's ImageStephanie's Image

    When a photographer (director Janis DeLucia Allen) decides to make a documentary about Stephanie (Melissa Leo), a former model who was killed by her boyfriend in an apparent murder-suicide, she uncovers disturbing evidence about the crime and about the enigmatic Stephanie herself. Why do those who... Read More

All Melissa Leo Movies
Red State (2011)
R
Seven Days in Utopia (2011)
G
Mildred Pierce (2011)
NR
The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best (2011)
NR
The Fighter (2010)  Top 100
R
Welcome to the Rileys (2010)
R
The Dry Land (2010)
R
Conviction (2010)
Betty Anne Waters
R
Treme (2010)
TV-MA
The Space Between (2010)
NR
Dear Lemon Lima (2009)
PG-13
True Adolescents (2009)
NR
Everybody's Fine (2009)
PG-13
According to Greta (2009)
Greta
PG-13
Don McKay (2009)
Moment of Truth
R
Veronika Decides to Die (2009)
R
Stephanie's Image (2009)
NR
Frozen River (2008)
R
Righteous Kill (2008)
R
The Alphabet Killer (2008)
R
Lullaby (2008)
NR
Santa Mesa (2008)
PG-13
Racing Daylight (2007)
NR
The Cake Eaters (2007)
R
Hollywood Dreams (2007)
R
One Night (2007)
NR
Stephanie Daley (2006)
R
Black Irish (2006)
R
American Gun (2005)
R
Confess (2005)
R
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)
R
Hide and Seek (2005)
R
Runaway (2005)
NR
I Believe in America (2005)
NR
Secret Shorts (2005)
NR
21 Grams (2003)
R
Homicide: The Movie (2000)
PG-13
Fear of Fiction (2000)
NR
The 24 Hour Woman (1999)
R
Homicide: Life on the Street: Season 6 (1997)
NR
Homicide: Life on the Street: Season 5 (1996)
NR
Last Summer in the Hamptons (1995)
R
Homicide: Season 3 (1994)
TV-14
Homicide: Life on the Street: Season 4 (1994)
TV-14
Scarlett (1994)
PG-13
Homicide: Seasons 1 & 2 (1993)
TV-14
The Ballad of Little Jo (1993)
R
Immaculate Conception (1992)
NR
Venice / Venice (1992)
R
The Young Riders (1989)
NR
Deadtime Stories: Tales of Death (1986)
NR
Always (1985)
Always... But Not Forever
R
The Equalizer: Season 1 (1985)
NR
Streetwalkin' (1985)
R

 
Questions? 1-877-742-1480
24 hours a day
Cancel online anytime


Start Your 1 Month Free Trial
Email
Confirm Email
Password
Confirm Password
 Secure Server
We will not sell or rent your email address. We may contact you about the Netflix service. See our privacy notice.