Birthplace - Manhattan, New York City, New York
Birthday - September 14, 1960
Birth name - Melissa Chessington Leo

Early Life

Leo was born as a daughter of Peggy, a teacher and Arnold Leo, an editor at Grove Press, a fisherman as well as a spokesman for the East Hampton Baymen’s Association. Leo was brought up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and attended the State University of New York, Purchase but did not graduate.

Career

Leo is a very versatile actress and has worked in a variety of movies. She has a huge list of work experiences which includes, “Always” (1985), as Cookie in Streetwalkin’ (1985), Deadtime Stories (1986), A Time Of Destiny (1988), as Katie Morrisey in Nasty Boys (1989), The Bride in Black (1990), Carolina Skeletons (1991), Immaculate Conception (1992), as Elizabeth in Garden (1994), Last Summer in the Hamptons (1995), Under the Bridge (1997), The 24 Hour Woman (1999), Code of Ethics (1999), Fear of Fiction (2000).

The list is not finished yet, it also includes famous movies like First Breath (2004), From Other Worlds (2004), as Laura in Hide and Seek (2005), The Limbo Room (2006), Hollywood Dreams (2006), The House Is Burning (2006), Falling Objects (2006), Bomb (2007), Midnight Son (2007), I Believe In America (2007), Mr. Woodcock (2007), One Night (2007), Frozen River (2008), The Alphabet Killer (2008), Lullaby (2008), Santa Mesa (2008), Ball Don’t Lie (2008), This Is A Story About Ted And Alice (2008), Predisposed (2008) and many more.

Leo has also won many awards like PFCS Award in 2004, for acting in 21 Grams, Bronze Wrangler at Western Heritage Award in 2006. Leo has also won Best Actress Award at Method Fest.

Moreover, she has also worked in various television series like All My Children, The Equalizer, Miami Vice, Gideon Oliver, The Young Riders, Law & Order, Scarlett, Legacy, Veronica Mars etc.

Role In The Homicide: Life On The Street Tv Show

Leo has also worked in Homicide: Life on the Street. In this television series, she portrayed Kay Howard, a tough female detective. Kay was thorough, realistic and successful in her job.

Personal Life

Leo has a son named John Matthew Heard from her former boyfriend John Heard. In March 1997, John Heard was charged for harassing Leo.