25 Facts About Melissa Leo

Melissa Leo is the recipient of several accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and two Critics' Choice Awards.

In 2008, Melissa Leo received critical acclaim for her performance as Ray Eddy in the crime drama film Frozen River, earning her several nominations and awards, including a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

In 2010, Melissa Leo earned widespread acclaim and won several awards for her performance as Alice Eklund-Ward in the biographical sports drama film The Fighter, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Melissa Leo starred in the 2015 Fox event series Wayward Pines as Nurse Pam.

Melissa Leo then starred in the 2017 Netflix film The Most Hated Woman in America as American Atheists founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair.

Melissa Leo was born in Manhattan and grew up on the Lower East Side.

Melissa Leo is the daughter of Margaret, a California-born teacher, and Arnold Leo III, an editor at Grove Press, fisherman, and former spokesman for the East Hampton Baymen's Association.

Melissa Leo's parents divorced, and her mother moved them to Red Clover Commune, in Putney, Vermont.

Melissa Leo began performing as a child with the Bread and Puppet Theater Company.

Melissa Leo attended Bellows Falls High School in Bellows Falls, Vermont, and studied acting at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London and SUNY Purchase, but did not graduate, choosing to leave school and move to New York City to begin auditioning for acting jobs.

Melissa Leo spent summers at her father's house in Springs, a section of East Hampton, New York.

Melissa Leo had several appearances on television, most notably her role as Det.

Melissa Leo appeared in a supporting role alongside Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Benicio del Toro, and Clea DuVall.

Melissa Leo shared a Best Ensemble Acting award from the Phoenix Film Critics Society in 2003 and the runner-up for the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for Best Supporting Actress.

Melissa Leo appeared in supporting roles throughout the 2000s including the film Hide and Seek, the independent film American Gun, both in 2005, and a minor role in the comedy Mr Woodcock.

That same year, Melissa Leo earned critical praise for her performance in the film Frozen River, winning several awards, including the Best Actress award from the Independent Spirit Awards, the Spotlight award from the National Board of Review, and Best Actress nominations from the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Broadcast Film Critics Association, and Academy Awards.

Melissa Leo appeared in a series of films throughout 2009, including According to Greta, the title character in Stephanie's Image, True Adolescents, and Veronika Decides to Die.

In 2010, Melissa Leo received fame for her role in David O Russell's The Fighter.

Melissa Leo personally bought ad space in Hollywood trade publications, which was initially thought might backfire in a similar manner to previous Oscar contenders Chill Wills and Margaret Avery.

Melissa Leo's performance garnered an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie.

Melissa Leo guest-starred in an episode of the hit FX comedy Louie, which garnered her an Emmy win for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

Melissa Leo appeared in the action-thriller Olympus Has Fallen as Ruth McMillan, the Secretary of Defense who was held hostage by terrorists in the White House and Oblivion as the main antagonist Sally.

Melissa Leo reprised her role in the Olympus sequel London Has Fallen.

Melissa Leo appeared in supporting roles in the thriller films Prisoners, The Equalizer, and The Equalizer 2, having previously appeared in a 1985 episode of the original series.

Melissa Leo appeared on the Fox series Wayward Pines as Nurse Pam.