Melina Kanadaredes has taken on New York in her new role as a forensics investigator Stella Bonasera in "CSI: New York."
On The Early Show Tuesday, she explains why "CSI: New York" is going to be a very different show from "CSI: Miami" and the original show, "CSI."
She also gives her reaction to playing a tough New Yorker after her successful run in the family-drama hit series "Providence."
Some Facts About Melina Kanadaredes
Kanakaredes (pronounced Ka-na-KA-ree-deez) is second-generation Greek, and speaks the language fluently. She was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, the youngest of three sisters. Her retired father was an insurance salesman, her mother a homemaker. She made her acting debut at the age of 8 in a community theater production of "Tom Sawyer." In high school, she helped out at an all-boys Jesuit school by taking on the female parts for their stage productions. She starred for five seasons as Dr. Sydney Hansen on "Providence." In 2003, Melina gave birth to her second child, took to the stage as Sally Bowles in the Broadway play "Cabaret" and shot the independent film "Into the Fire."
She has appeared in the films "15 Minutes," "Rounders," "Dangerous Beauty" and "The Long Kiss Goodnight." Other television credits include "NYPD Blue," "New York New", "Leaving L.A.," "The Practice," "Oz," and "The Guiding Light."