
Melissa Leo (born September 14, 1960) is an American actress. She made her acting debut in 1985, for which she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Ingenue/Woman in the Drama Series “All My Children”. Her most notable role as was as Det. Sgt. Kay Howard on “Homicide: Life on the Street” for the show's first five seasons from 1993–1997.
Following several films, Leo received critical acclaim and national attention in earning several nominations and awards, including an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Leo earned several awards for her role as Alice Ward in the critically acclaimed film, “The Fighter” (2010). For this role Leo won the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Leo currently appears on the television series Treme.
Leo currently resides in Stone Ridge, New York and two sons John Matthew Heard (born 1987), and Adam (adopted - born 1984).

The Equalizer
2014 · as Susan Plummer

Prisoners
2013 · as Holly Jones

Olympus Has Fallen
2013 · as Secretary of Defense Ruth McMillan

Passenger
2026 · as Diana

Oblivion
2013 · as Sally

The Equalizer 3
2023 · as Susan Plummer

The Equalizer 2
2018 · as Susan Plummer

London Has Fallen
2016 · as Secretary of Defense Ruth McMillan

The Big Short
2015 · as Georgia Hale

Flight
2012 · as Ellen Block

The Fighter
2010 · as Alice Ward

21 Grams
2003 · as Marianne Jordan

Snowden
2016 · as Laura Poitras

Hide and Seek
2005 · as Laura

Righteous Kill
2008 · as Cheryl

Mr. Woodcock
2007 · as Sally Jansen

Guns Up
2025 · as Michael Temple

Thunder Force
2021 · as Allie