Melanie Lynskey was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand. In 1992, at 15 years old, Melanie was cast alongside Kate Winsletin Heavenly Creatures, despite never having acted professionally. Directed by Peter Jackson, the film - based on the notorious Parker-Hulme murder case - received worldwide acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Despite a long hiatus (during which she appeared briefly in The Frighteners), Lynskey returned to acting in 1997 when she starred in Foreign Correspondents. She then co-starred with Drew Barrymoreand Anjelica Hustonin Ever After, which led to a string of parts in such films as Detroit Rock City, But I'm a Cheerleader, The Cherry Orchard, Shooters and Coyote Ugly.

After headlining Snakeskin, Lynskey appeared in Stephen King's Rose Red, then supported Katie Holmes in Abandon and Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama. She later joined Hayden Christensenin the Golden Globe-nominated Shattered Glass, guest stared on The Shield and began stalking Charlie Sheenon the Emmy Award-winning Two and a Half Men.

Recent projects have included Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated Flags of Our Fathers, mini-series Comanche Moon and a starring role in Show of Hands. She'll next appear in Steven Soderbergh's The Informant alongside Matt Damon, Sam Mendes' Farlanders and Leaves of Grass alongside Edward Norton.

She married New Jersey-born actor Jimmi Simpson on 14 April 2007, in Queenstown, New Zealand. They live now in Los Angeles.