Melissa Leo Movies
After supporting roles in a handful of small films and a short stint on the soap opera All My Children, New York-born Melissa Leo gained prominence on the critically-acclaimed Barry Levinson-produced television drama Homicide: Life on the Streets. After leaving the show in 1997, Leo continued to appear in a range of features, including 1999's 24 Hour Woman. But it was her role as Benicio Del Toro's wife in 2003's 21 Grams that gave Leo her first exposure to a wide moviegoing audience. The performance also won her recognition from the L.A. Film Critics Association, who named Leo the runner-up for the Best Supporting Actress honor.Leo continued to work steadily in a series of independent films including American Gun, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, and Stephanie Daley. In 2008 she landed the lead role in Courtney Hunt's debut feature Frozen River. As a financially strapped woman who turns to human-trafficking in order to earn a living, Leo earned thunderous critical praise as well as Best Actress nominations from both the Screen Actors Guild, and the Academy. ~ All Movie Guide
A serious rift develops between Tim Bayliss (Kyle Secor) and Frank Pembleton (Andre Braugher) when Tim's cousin Jim (David Morse) shoots a Turkish exchange student whom he thinks is breaking into his house. Upset that Bayliss is willing to accept Jim's self-defence plea, Pembleton becomes convinced that the Bayliss family is rife with inherent racism. Elsewhere, Lewis (Clark Johnson) thinks he has made a clever economic move when he hires his own grandmother as cook for the new bar -- but he's wrong. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
As indicated by its opening caption, this episode was shown out of sequence with the rest of season three when it originally aired on April 21, 1995. While adjusting to the news that their former colleague Steve Crosetti committed suicide, the homicide detectives divvy up Steve's huge caseload. In the course of events, Felton (Daniel Baldwin) misplaces a valuable piece of evidence, with potentially disastrous consequences for Howard (Melissa Leo). Elsewhere, the detective's new bar proves to be a bottomless money pit, and Giardello (Yaphet Kotto) briefly entertains romantic yearnings for Russert (Isabella Hoffman). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
When an aging convicted murderer is slated to be executed after 16 years on death row, the condemned man's daughter takes Col. Barnfather (Clayton LeBouef) hostage, demanding that her father's case be reopened. While Bolander (Ned Beatty) races against time to find any shred of evidence that might free the death-row prisoner, Giardello (Yaphet Kotto) and Russert (Isabella Hoffman) try to forget their differences long enough to defuse the hostage crisis. And on a lighter note, new tavern owner Munch (Richard Belzer) may be talked into investing in a microbrewery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
The homicide detectives team up with the FBI to track down a serial killer who is moving progressively northward on I-95. The combined law officers manage to capture a man (Jeffrey Donovan) who fits the description of the killer perfectly -- only to find out that they might have the wrong person in custody. And in another development, Giardello (Yaphet Kotto) has an awkward meeting with his estranged daughter. The role of TV reporter Dawn Daniels is played by Rhonda Overby, a real-life correspondent for Baltimore's NBC affiliate WBAL-TV. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Belzer, Andre Braugher, (more)
A gas leak at homicide headquarters forces the detectives to temporarily pitch camp at an old bank building, where several bad moods are quickly exacerbated. The many story developments this evening include the negative effect that Howard's (Melissa Leo) promotion has on her colleagues, and Giardello's (Yaphet Kotto) inadvertent dismissal of a key piece of evidence in the murder of an elderly woman. Meanwhile, Pembleton (Andre Braugher) continues to fret over his wife's pregnancy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Belzer, Andre Braugher, (more)
In the concluding episode of Homicide: Life on the Street's two-part season-four opener, the discovery of a second body at an arson scene suggests that the fire was started to cover up a double homicide. With Bayliss (Kyle Secor) sidelined by illness, his partner, Pembleton (Andre Braugher), is reluctantly teamed with brash arson detective Kellerman (Reed Diamond), who continues to rub the homicide squad the wrong way when he turns down a transfer offer extended by Giardello (Yaphet Kotto). Meanwhile, Munch (Richard Belzer) and Howard (Melissa Leo) compete for a coveted promotion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Belzer, Andre Braugher, (more)
In the opening episode of Homicide: Life on the Street's fourth season, the viewer is informed that Baltimore homicide detectives Bolander and Felton have been suspended without pay for 22 weeks after their misbehavior at a D.C. police convention -- thereby neatly explaining away the departures of former series regulars Daniel Baldwin and Ned Beatty. The rest of the episode sets up a plot line that will not be resolved until the following week, beginning with the discovery of a charred body at an arson scene. This grisly revelation leads to a clash between homicide cops Pembleton (Andre Braugher) and Bayliss (Kyle Secor), and all-too-glib arson detective Mike Kellerman (played by new series regular Reed Diamond). And in other developments, Pembleton discovers that his wife is pregnant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Belzer, Andre Braugher, (more)
In the first episode of a three-part story arc, Bolander (Ned Beatty), Howard (Melissa Leo), and Felton (Daniel Baldwin) are ambushed and shot down when attempting to serve a warrant. In his efforts to track down the suspect, Pembleton (Andre Braugher) is partnered with a detective who prefers to use a bizarre psychological approach to crime-solving, and is also given a helping hand by Bolander's former partner Mitch (Tony Lo Bianco). Complicating matters is the realization that the shooting might have been averted had it not been for a disastrous clerical error. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
Russert (Isabella Hoffman) suspects that her new partner is at the end of his rope -- and is abusing his wife as a result of his frustration. In other developments, Giardello (Yaphet Kotto) and Bayliss (Kyle Secor) try to talk Pembleton (Andre Braugher) out of resigning; Lewis (Clark Johnson) surprises Bayliss during a wild ride to a crime scene; and Felton (Daniel Baldwin) catches up with his kids. And after innumerable setbacks, the detectives' after-hours bar is on the verge of opening to the public. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
As a personal favor, Deputy Commissioner Harris (Al Freeman Jr.) asks Pembleton (Andre Braugher) to conduct an unofficial investigation of a case involving a congressman. As a result of his generosity, Pembleton finds himself part of a wide-ranging coverup, in which he may wind up as the "fall guy." Meanwhile, a homicide case involving a homeless man is complicated when the victim's body keeps disappearing and reappearing; Felton (Daniel Baldwin) continues to be frustrated in his efforts to locate his kids; and Lewis (Clark Johnson) and Munch (Richard Belzer) tackle the case of a murdered biker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
As Pembleton (Andre Braugher) and Bayliss (Kyle Secor) investigate the killing of a 14-year-old boy, the mother of the victim has an unexpected meeting with the mother of the killer. The plans drawn up by Bayliss, Munch (Richard Belzer), and Lewis (Clark Johnson) to renovate their new bar are stymied by a bureaucratic glitch -- not to mention an unwelcome visit from the IRS. And Felton (Daniel Baldwin) gets a line on the location where his estranged wife has taken their kids. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
NBC news commentator Tim Russert makes a cameo appearance as himself in this episode, wherein detectives Felton (Daniel Baldwin), Bolander (Ned Beatty), and Howard (Melissa Leo) continue to recover from their physical and emotional wounds as they return to active duty. Tonight's case roster includes two "murders in the family," one involving a walled-up skeleton, the other the double killing of an elderly couple. And though Giordello (Yaphet Kotto) is finally given the satisfaction of literally flushing out the corrupt hiring practices of his longtime nemesis Col. Granger (Gerald F. Gough), "Gee" is none too happy when Granger's exit results in the sudden promotion of Lt. Russert (Isabella Hoffman). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
Investigating the highly suspicious death of the person suspected of ambushing three of his fellow homicide detectives, Bayliss (Kyle Secor) runs up against a wall of departmental silence. Meanwhile, wounded detective Felton (Daniel Baldwin) returns to work, though he hasn't recovered emotionally from his ordeal -- nor is he prepared for the hostility attending his return. Pembleton (Andre Braugher) and Lewis (Clark Johnson) have a falling out during the seemingly random killing of a white woman in a black neighborhood. And Munch (Richard Belzer) discovers that he has been used as the "model" for a painting hanging in an art gallery exhibit. Chris Noth makes a cameo appearance in his Law & Order role as Detective Mike Logan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
In the conclusion of a three-part story arc, public anger over the shooting that left three homicide detectives seriously wounded and the killer at large results in an ultimatum: Either Homicide solves the case within 48 hours, or it will be turned over to another department. Making matters worse, the cops may have the wrong man in custody when they catch up with the suspect, and the recovery of wounded detective Stan Bolander (Ned Beatty) is progressing painfully slowly. On a more positive note, Russert (Isabella Hoffman) and Howard (Melissa Leo) finally agree to settle their differences and work in harmony -- or at least try to do so. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
In the second episode of a three-part story arc, the detectives continue tracking down the pedophile who may or may not have seriously wounded Bolander (Ned Beatty), Howard (Melissa Leo), and Felton (Daniel Baldwin) in a bloody ambush. Meanwhile, Felton begins to recover from his wounds, but his colleagues may not be so lucky. And it looks as though Giardello (Yaphet Kotto) will be forced to take the rap for the clerical error that led to the shooting -- and that Russert (Isabella Hoffman) will be the one who hangs Giardello out to dry. Real-life Baltimore homicide cop (Gary D'Addario), the series' technical advisor and the prototype for the Giardello character, appears as Col. Granger. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
A legendary theatrical family gather for one final show at their East Hamptons estate in this verbose comedy-drama. Swedish actress Viveca Lindfors takes center stage as Helena, the family matriarch, who has made the difficult decision to sell the estate due to financial problems. A mixed group has come for what will be the last of the family's annual summer performances, a gathering that naturally brings conflicts and rivalries to the surface. Much of the trouble centers on Oona (Victoria Foyt), a financially successful Hollywood actress seeking artistic approval from such theatrical colleagues as avant-garde director Ivan (André Gregory) and gay playwright Jake (real-life dramatist Jon Robin Baitz), who each has difficulties of his own. As in all of writer/director Henry Jaglom's films, the focus is on conversation over action, as the various characters share personal torments and debate their individual philosophies. The talky, intellectual dialogue will be seen by some viewers as witty and perceptive and by others as pretentious and slow-moving. Regardless of one's opinion of Jaglom's idiosyncratic style, Last Summer in the Hamptons is distinguished by the presence of Lindfors in her final film, giving a career-capping performance that addresses the problems of older actresses and looks back fondly on the star's own history. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victoria Foyt, Viveca Lindfors, (more)

- 1995
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The first full season of Homicide: Life on the Street (in its third year on the ABC prime-time schedule) features a new addition to the Baltimore PD homicide unit: night-shift commander Megan Russert (Isabella Hofmann), whose blunt manner rubs everyone -- especially her day-shift counterpart, Giardello (Yaphet Kotto) -- the wrong way. Among the season's various story arcs: Det. Beau Felton (Daniel Baldwin) and his wife separate, whereupon she takes the kids and goes into hiding; detectives Munch (Richard Belzer) and Lewis (Clark Johnson) decide to open their own bar, with some behind-the-scenes help (and hindrance) from their young colleague Bayliss (Kyle Secor); and the entire division goes on an all-out search for the elusive "white glove killer." In other developments, the cops find out what happened to their former co-worker Crossetti, who had completely vanished from sight at the end of season two; Det. Pembleton (Andre Braugher) considers resigning when he thinks he has been made the patsy in a high-profile coverup; and Felton, Howard (Melissa Leo), and Bolander (Ned Beatty) are seriously injured in a botched arrest -- for which Giardello may have to take the fall. Additionally, several guest stars dot the Baltimore landscape, including NBC newsman Tim Russert, and, in a crossover with the NBC series Law & Order, Chris Noth in his familiar role as NYPD detective Mike Logan. As the season draws to a close, Russert is suddenly and unexpectedly promoted, and Pembleton's family is placed in jeopardy by a vengeance-seeking psycho. ~ All Movie Guide
Season three of Homicide: Life on the Street finds the day and night shifts of the Baltimore homicide squad uneasily working in tandem to solve the murder of the winner of the city's Samaritan of the Year award. The case is particularly irksome for Detective Frank Pembleton (Andre Braugher), whose new desk mate is an unregenerate racist. As for Lt. Giardello (Yaphet Kotto), he has to smooth out the differences between his staff and new night-shift commander Lt. Megan Russert (Isabella Hoffman, making her series debut). Elsewhere, Kay Howard (Melissa Leo) finds herself stuck in the middle of domestic warfare when Beau Felton (Daniel Baldwin) and his wife, Beth (Mary B. Ward), separate; and a fascinating new subplot is introduced when Munch (Richard Belzer) and Lewis (Clark Johnson) formulate plans to purchase a bar. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
The one linking factor between three murders is a pair of white gloves found at the scene of each crime. This factor not only results in an error of judgment by Roger Gaffney (Walt MacPherson), forcing Pembleton (Andre Braugher) to take full charge of the case, but also arouses the interest of a ghoulish collector (Hugh Hodgin) of murder memorabilia. Meanwhile, Felton (Daniel Baldwin) continues experiencing domestic difficulties, Russert (Isabella Hoffman) has an uncomfortable confrontation with the Baltimore media, and the efforts by Munch (Richard Belzer) and Lewis (Clark Johnson) to acquire a liquor license for their new bar are hampered by a past incident in the life of their silent partner, Bayliss (Kyle Secor). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
The homicide department is besieged by demands that details of the three "white glove" murders be made public. Complicating matters is the possibility that prime suspect Mary Maude Wiggs (Lucinda Jenney), who suffers from multiple-personality disorder, may very well beat the rap. And in other developments, the relationship between Felton (Daniel Baldwin) and his wife continues to deteriorate, and silent partner Bayliss (Kyle Secor) becomes more vocal concerning the new bar being purchased by Munch (Richard Belzer) and Lewis (Clark Johnson). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
The serial killer responsible for the recent spate of "white glove" murders sues Pembleton (Andre Braugher) for violating her civil rights -- but that's only the beginning of his troubles. Elsewhere, Munch (Richard Belzer) is forced to attend an alcohol awareness seminar; Felton's (Daniel Baldwin) wife and children move out; activist Sam Thorne (Joe Morton) proposes a "gun for toys" exchange to stem the rising tide of violence in Baltimore; and Lewis' (Clark Johnson) budding romance with an eccentric artist is complicated by the presence of Bayliss (Kyle Secor). This is the episode in which the audience learns the sorry fate of former homicide detective Steve Crosetti. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
Giardello's (Yaphet Kotto) activist friend Sam Thorne (Joe Morton) is shot down after blowing the whistle on a high-scale cocaine operation. The squad searches for the husband of a woman who is still receiving fresh flowers every day, even though she's been dead for two weeks. Munch's (Richard Belzer) business partners desert him over a squabble concerning their new bar. Bayliss (Kyle Secor) is driven to desperation after getting too involved in the private life of a kooky artist. And Felton (Daniel Baldwin) launches a search for his missing children. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
After the body of former homicide detective Steve Crosetti is found floating in a river, Bolander (Ned Beatty) arrives at the sad conclusion that his late colleague has committed suicide. Crosetti's ex-partner Lewis (Clark Johnson) refuses to accept this verdict, and launches an after-hours investigation of his own. As several members of the department draw up separate funeral arrangements for Crosetti, they are deluged by a steady stream of bad news, reopening several old and festering sores. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
Depressed by the unsavory aspects of her most recent murder case, Kay Howard (Melissa Leo) takes a leave of absence and returns to her home town -- only to be promptly swept up into the investigation of a local environmentalist's death. Making things uncomfortably personal is the fact that Kay's former lover Chick (John Dossett) and her own brother Chris (Gareth Williams) are among the suspects. Back in Baltimore, Pembleton (Andre Braugher) and Felton (Daniel Baldwin) reluctantly team up to solve the murder that sent Kay packing, and Munch's (Richard Belzer) obstinacy puts another crimp in his purchase of the after-hours bar. Harlee McBride, real-life wife of series regular Richard Belzer, appears as Dr. Alyssa Dyer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)
Christmas is just another day on the calendar for the acerbic Munch (Richard Belzer), especially when he is handed a case involving the murder of a man in a Santa Claus suit. Elsewhere, Lt. Russert (Isabella Hoffman) decides to get back into the hands-on aspects of detective work by joining Lewis (Clark Johnson) in his latest investigation -- only to discover that she has prior knowledge of the persons involved in the case. And as Felton (Daniel Baldwin) wearily prepares to spend his first Christmas without his wife and children, Bayliss (Kyle Secor) seeks out a friendly Yuletide game of Hearts -- at five dollars a hand. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Baldwin, Ned Beatty, (more)












