Melissa was born at Bethesda Naval Hospital (Walter Reed Military) in Maryland to Lt. Cdr Michael Cashman 2nd and Constance Ann Schumacher. Her father was a specialist in under-water bomb disposal and her mother had a Masters' in early childhood education. She is of Irish, German and Dutch descent. Her childhood was spent moving up and down the Eastern seaboard, changing schools frequently. The family moved to San Diego when she was a teenager. Melissa quickly found comfort in the Jr Theatre program at San Diego's famed Old Globe Theatre. After graduating from La Jolla High School, she moved to Los Angeles and enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. But she missed acting too much, and soon left FIDM for Greenwich Village & The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Initially working as a model to pay the bills, she focused on her training, eventually transferring to the Lee Strasberg Institute. She decided to move back to CA, and upon arrival in Santa Barbara met John Ireland (Red River, All the King's Men) who would become her mentor. He introduced her to friends in LA, and associates at William Morris who would later represent her. Within six months, she was a regular on 'The Young and The Restless' as Brittany. While attending A Grammy party at Chasen's, she was introduced to her husband, Yes bassist/vocalist, Chris Squire. The two married in 1993 and were married for fifteen years. She stepped away from acting professionally, as the two travelled/toured extensively. In 2000 they had a son, Cameron. She never stopped training, and was brought back on Y & R as 'Agnes' in 2006. After their split, Melissa changed her lifestyle; Became a vegetarian, quit drinking alcohol, and focused on a more holistic /fitness-based lifestyle. She is currently training full time with Helen Hunt in L.A. and living in Montecito, CA
