Melissa Hayden (born November 13, 1967) is an American actress, best known for playing the role of Bridget Reardon on Guiding Light.

She won a 1994 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress for her work on Guiding Light.

She began acting as a child, with uncredited roles in the films Pennies From Heaven, Punchline, and Annie.^[1][2] On television, she guest-starred on Hunter, Almost Grown, and TV 101.^[1] In addition to film and TV work, she was a member of the California-based song and dance troupe The Young Americans.

She briefly played the role of Mouse on General Hospital, before being cast as troubled teen Bridget Reardon on Guiding Light.^[2][3] She received acclaim and appeared in memorable storylines from May 21, 1991, until her departure on June 18, 1997. In 2009, she reprised her role as Bridget for the ending of the series.^[4][5]

She appeared as Agnes on the January 7, 2016 episode of The Young and the Restless.^[6]

Hayden won a 1994 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress for her role on GL.^[7] She had also been nominated in the same category in 1993. She also won a Soap Opera Digest Award and a Young Artist Award in 1994 and 1993 respectively for her role as Bridget.