American actress Melissa Leo became popular through her appearances in multiple films and television series in the 1980s. The Manhattan native is an Academy Award winner for Best Actress in a Supporting Role as well as nominations in the same category. She currently plays the role of Goldie Herschlag in the popular television series “I’m Dying Up Here.” Melissa had her big break in film which opened the doors for other work as an actress.
Here are the top five Melissa Leo film roles of her career.
1. Ellen Block in “Flight”
Leo plays Ellen in the 2012 drama/thriller about an airline pilot that experiences a catastrophic malfunction of his craft. He saves the majority of the passengers through his experience and skill as a pilot. An investigation into the incident brings out some troubling details.
2. Sally in “Oblivion”
“Oblivion” is a 2013 action, adventure, comedy, animation film. Sally is an analyst that confronts Jack after conducting a voice analysis. The confronts him about lying to her and gives him five seconds to tell her why he is really there. She holds the power of life and death in her hands. The film centers around a veteran who has been sent to the earth to gather what resources are left in this futuristic film.
3. Secretary of Defense Ruth McMillan in “Olympus Has Fallen (2013) and London Has Fallen (2016)
Leo plays opposite of Gerard Butler in his role as Mike Banning, former presidential guard. The stories both center around terrorists attempts to take the Whitehouse (Olympus Has Fallen) and similar bad guys hunting down the President to kill or kidnap him (London Has Fallen). Ruth McMillan is the Secretary of Defense who works with Mike Banning to attempt to give him remote support from the Whitehouse while he navigates his way through multiple mazes fraught with danger at every turn.
4. Holly Jones in “Prisoners”
Leo plays the role of Holly in this 2013 film about two girls who go missing. The father takes it upon himself to find the girls on his own despite efforts from law enforcement. Melissa Leo plays opposite of Jake Gyllenhaal in this thriller about kidnap and disappearance in Boston.
5. Bette Altmann in “The Angriest Man in Brooklyn”
Melissa shows her versatility in this comedic drama about a man who takes anger to the ultimate. She stars opposite Robin Williams, Peter Dinklage and Mila Kunis in this 2014 film that finds Williams’ character Henry Altmann with only ninety minutes left to live. He goes about trying to make things right with his friends and family within the short amount of time that remains. The most famous line Betty delivers in this movie is “I wish you were dead!” Altmann replies with “Well, it’s your lucky day.”
Melissa Leo has played a variety of characters and done them very well. Although her roles have generally been limited to supporting actress, she did star in the lead of a recent movie about the notorious atheist Madalyn Murray O’ Hair in “The Most Hated Woman” in 2017. She is currently busy with new roles in upcoming film releases. We’re sure to hear more about her in the near future.
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