(Photo: CBS) Melody Thomas Scott, who stars as Nikki Reed Newman on The Young and the Restless, joined the cast in February 1979. She was nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actress Daytime Emmy in 1999. Scott's prior television credits have included a recurring role on the CBS series "The Waltons." She has also appeared on "My Three Sons" and "Ironside." Additional television credits include the miniseries, "Studs Lonigan" and the made-for-television movie "Moviola and Secrets." She has co-starred in films with some of Hollywood's most popular leading men, including "The Shootist" with John Wayne and "Dirty Harry" with Clint Eastwood. She appeared twice with the legendary Kirk Douglas in the films "Posse" and "The Fury." Scott attended the University of Southern California, where she majored in music. She began her show business career at the age of 3 under the tutelage of renowned coach Ethel Meglin, who helped launch the career of Shirley Temple. Scott studied singing, tap dancing, ballet and jazz and became one of the Meglin Kiddies, performing at U.S.O. shows in Southern California. She made her motion picture debut at age 8 in the Alfred Hitchcock film "Marnie." Scott is married to Edward Scott, executive producer of The Young and the Restless. In 1989, they co-founded the Save the Earth Foundation, an organization that endeavors to create awareness about environmental issues. The couple has three daughters, Alexandra, Jennifer and Elizabeth. Scott's birthday is April 18. She stands 5' 6" tall and has blonde hair and blue eyes. In February of 1999, she celebrated 20 years on "Y&R."