Melissa Leo
ActingAbout Melissa Leo
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).
Best Melissa Leo Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Melissa Leo's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Melissa Leo.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Guns Up | Michael Temple | Hit | Similar → |
| 2025 | King Ivory | Ginger Greene | Hit | Similar → |
| 2024 | Long Gone Heroes | Olivia | Average | Similar → |
| 2023 | The Equalizer 3 | Susan Plummer | Hit | Similar → |
| 2021 | Body Brokers | Dr. White | Average | Similar → |
| 2018 | The Equalizer 2 | Susan Plummer | Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | Novitiate | Reverend Mother | Average | Similar → |
| 2017 | The View from Up Here | Claire | Average | Similar → |
| 2017 | The Most Hated Woman in America | Madalyn Murray O'Hair | Average | Similar → |
| 2016 | Snowden | Laura Poitras | Hit | Similar → |
| 2016 | All the Way | Lady Bird Johnson | Hit | Similar → |
| 2016 | London Has Fallen | Secretary of Defense Ruth McMillan | Average | Similar → |
| 2015 | The Big Short | Georgia Hale | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | After the Spill | Narrator | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | The Ever After | Penny | Average | Similar → |
| 2014 | The Equalizer | Susan Plummer | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Prisoners | Holly Jones | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy | Self - Narrator (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Call Me Crazy: A Five Film | Robin | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Bottled Up | Fay | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Oblivion | Sally | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Olympus Has Fallen | Secretary of Defense Ruth McMillan | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Charlie Countryman | Kate | Average | Similar → |
| 2012 | Flight | Ellen Block | Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | The Space Between | Montine | Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | Red State | Sara | Average | Similar → |
| 2010 | The Fighter | Alice Ward | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | Welcome to the Rileys | Lois Riley | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | Conviction | Nancy Taylor | Hit | Similar → |
| 2009 | Everybody's Fine | Colleen | Hit | Similar → |
| 2009 | According to Greta | Karen | Average | Similar → |
| 2009 | Veronika Decides to Die | Mari | Average | Similar → |
| 2008 | Righteous Kill | Cheryl | Average | Similar → |
| 2008 | Frozen River | Ray Eddy | Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | Lullaby | Stephanie | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | Black Irish | Margaret McKay | Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | Stephanie Daley | Miri Daley | Average | Similar → |
| 2007 | One Night | Wendy | Average | Similar → |
| 2006 | The House Is Burning | Mrs. Miller | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada | Rachel | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Runaway | Lisa Adler | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Hide and Seek | Laura | Average | Similar → |
| 2003 | 21 Grams | Marianne Jordan | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Homicide: The Movie | Kay Howard | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | Who Is Henry Jaglom? | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | The Ballad of Little Jo | Beatrice Grey | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Venice/Venice | Peggy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Carolina Skeletons | Cassie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | The Bride in Black | Mary Margaret | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Nasty Boys | Katie Morrissey | Hit | Similar → |
Melissa Leo - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Melissa Leo?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Melissa Leo is "Lullaby" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Melissa Leo acted in?
Melissa Leo has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Melissa Leo?
Other notable films include "Prisoners", "The Fighter", and "The Big Short".