Educated at the State University of New York, Purchase, Leo began her screen career in 1984 with a short stint on "All My Children," receiving a Daytime Emmy nod for her work. Leo 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 Sgt. Kay Howard on "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993-97).
Leo has also appeared in numerous films over the years, achieving critical acclaim as Benicio Del Toro's wife in 21 Grams and receiving her first Oscar nod for her portrayal of a struggling single mother in 2008's Frozen River.
AddFrozen RiverOn 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
AddLullabyMelissa Leo stars in this riveting thriller as struggling middle-aged mother Stephanie, whose life is turned upside down when she learns that a brutal South African drug lord (Joey Dedio) has abducted her drug addict son. With few resources and little money, Stephanie ventures into the darkest... Read More
AddDeadtime Stories: Tales of DeathWhen 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
AddRacing DaylightAfter 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
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| Add | Always (1985) | R | |
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