CSI: NEW YORK

“Detective Stella Bonasera” (Melina Kanakaredes)

Second Grade Detective Stella Bonasera is half Greek, half Italian, and all New York. She speaks her mind and does not back away from confrontation.

The eldest of four girls, Stella raised her younger sisters in a single parent household. She shouldered this responsibility without hesitation, never questioning the sacrifice of her own childhood for the benefit of her family. As a result, she is a woman who understands the meaning of dedication and hard work and expects it of others.

Stella’s fierce independence and unflinching character led her to join the NYPD. To fellow officers she is the Statue of Liberty, a woman standing tall with her head held high. These qualities coupled with her intelligence, brashness and determination earned her a coveted spot alongside Mac Taylor as a CSI.

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Melina Kanakaredes starred for five seasons as Dr. Sydney Hansen in the critically acclaimed television series “Providence.” Her other television credits include “New York News,” “Leaving L.A.,” a recurring role in “NYPD Blue,” and guest-starring roles in “The Practice” and “Oz.” She also received two Emmy Award nominations for her work in the CBS daytime drama, “Guiding Light.”

Her feature film credits include “Into the Fire,” “Rounders,” “Dangerous Beauty,” “The Long Kiss Goodnight” and “15 Minutes.”

Kanakaredes is a second-generation Greek-American who made her acting debut at age 8 in an Ohio community theater production of “Tom Sawyer.”

She attended Ohio State University where she studied music, dance and theater. She later transferred to Point Park College in Pittsburgh, which recently awarded her an honorary doctorate degree. She appeared in commercials, industrial films and on stage in Pittsburgh.

Upon graduation, she moved to New York City where she supported her acting dreams by working in Off Broadway plays.

In 2001, she became a celebrity spokesperson for Maybelline, featured in their national television and print campaigns. In 2003, after the birth of her second child, she appeared on Broadway as Sally Bowles in “Cabaret.”

When she's not working, Kanakaredes enjoys reading, swimming, Pilates, traveling (especially to Greece), listening to James Taylor and is a sports fan of the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Bulls.

She was born and raised in Akron, Ohio and now lives with her husband and two daughters in Los Angeles. Her birth date is April 23rd.