- Marisa Tomei
-
Marisa Tomei 
Tomei at the premiere for the film War, Inc., April 2008.Born December 4, 1964
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.Occupation Actress Years active 1983–present Marisa Tomei (pronounced /məˈrɪsə toʊˈmeɪ/; born December 4, 1964) is an American stage, film and television actress. Following her work on As The World Turns, Tomei came to prominence as a supporting cast member on The Cosby Show spinoff A Different World in 1987. After appearing in a few films, her breakthrough came in 1992 with the comedy My Cousin Vinny, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Appearing in many films over the past fifteen years, her most commercially successful films to date are What Women Want (2000), Anger Management (2003), and Wild Hogs (2007).[1] She received critical acclaim for her performances in Unhook the Stars (1996), Slums of Beverly Hills (1998), Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) and received subsequent Academy Award nominations for her performances in In the Bedroom (2001) and The Wrestler (2008).[2]
Contents
Life and career
1964–83: Early life and career beginnings
Tomei, an Italian American,[3][4] was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Patricia "Addie", an English teacher, and Gary A. Tomei, a trial lawyer.[5] She has a younger brother, actor Adam Tomei, and was partly raised by her paternal grandparents, Rita and Romeo Tomei.[6] Tomei grew up in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn.[7] While there, she became captivated by the Broadway shows that her theater-loving parents took her to and became drawn to acting as a career. At Andries Hudde Junior High School, she played the part of Hedy LaRue in a school production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. She graduated from Edward R. Murrow High School in 1982 and she attended Boston University for a year.[6]
1984–2002: Breakthrough and critical success
Tomei followed up As the World Turns, in 1986, with a role on the sitcom A Different World as Maggie Lauten during the first season. Her film debut was in a minor role in the 1984 comedy film The Flamingo Kid, with Matt Dillon. Following several small films, her breakthrough comedic performance[8] came in My Cousin Vinny (1992), where she received critical praise for her performance. Critic Vincent Canby wrote, "Ms. Tomei gives every indication of being a fine comedian, whether towering over Mr. Pesci and trying to look small, or arguing about a leaky faucet in terms that demonstrate her knowledge of plumbing. Mona Lisa is also a first-rate auto mechanic, which comes in handy in the untying of the knotted story."[9] For her performance, Tomei was named Best Supporting Actress at the 1993 Academy Awards, prevailing over Miranda Richardson, Joan Plowright, Vanessa Redgrave and Judy Davis. American film critic Rex Reed created controversy (and a minor Hollywood myth)[10][11][12] when he suggested that Jack Palance had announced the wrong name after opening the envelope.[13][14] While this allegation was repeatedly disproved[15][16] – even the Academy officially denied it[17] – Tomei called the story "extremely hurtful." A Price Waterhouse accountant explained that if such an event had occurred, "we have an agreement with the Academy that one of us would step on stage, introduce ourselves, and say the presenter misspoke."[18]
After her Oscar win, Tomei appeared as silent film star Mabel Normand in the film Chaplin, with her then-boyfriend Robert Downey Jr. as the title character. The following year she starred in the romantic drama Untamed Heart with Christian Slater where they won the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss, Tomei had won the previous year for Best Breakthrough Performance for My Cousin Vinny. The following year Tomei appeared alongside Downey again in the romantic comedy Only You. She then appeared in Nick Cassavetes's Unhook the Stars opposite Gena Rowlands. Of Tomei's performance, The New York Times wrote, "Ms. Tomei is equally fine as Mildred's younger, hot-tempered neighbor, whose raw working-class feistiness and bluntly profane vocabulary initially repel the genteel older woman."[19] She received her first Screen Actor's Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Female Supporting Actor for her performance. In 1998, she received an American Comedy Award nomination for Funniest Supporting Actress for Tamara Jenkins's cult film Slums of Beverly Hills, in which she appeared alongside Natasha Lyonne and Alan Arkin. The independent film was well received by critics and the public.[20] The New York Times writes, "Jenkins makes the most of an especially ingratiating cast, with Ms. Tomei very charming and funny as Rita"[21] while another critic states Tomei is "spunky and sexy, . . . more subdued than she usually is."[22] Tomei spent several years away from high-profile roles and major motion pictures in the late 1990s, before rising again to prominence in the early 2000s.[23] Tomei appeared in the 2000 film What Women Want with Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt, which was a commercial success, and had a supporting role in the romantic comedy Someone Like You with Hugh Jackman and Ashley Judd.
In 2001, Tomei appeared in Todd Field's Best Picture nominee In the Bedroom opposite Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson, earning several awards including a ShoWest Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2002. Variety wrote, "Tomei is winning in what is surely her most naturalistic and unaffected performance,"[24] while The New York Times writer Stephen Holden exclaimed, "Ms. Tomei's ruined, sorrowful Natalie is easily her finest screen role."[25] In the Bedroom earned Tomei a second Academy Award nomination and her first Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Tomei also shared a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast. In 2002 she appeared in the Bollywood-inspired film The Guru and voiced the role of Bree Blackburn, the main antagonist in the animated feature film The Wild Thornberrys Movie.
During the latter part of the 1990s Tomei made several television appearances. In 1996 she made a guest appearance on the sitcom Seinfeld, playing herself in the two-part episode "The Cadillac." In the episode, George attempts to get a date with Tomei through a friend of Elaine's. She also made an appearance on The Simpsons as movie star Sara Sloane, who falls in love with Ned Flanders. Former Saturday Night Live cast member Jay Mohr wrote in his book Gasping for Airtime that, as guest host in October 1994, Tomei insisted that a proposed sketch about another actress not be used because she did not like the idea of making fun of her; that stand displeased the writers and performers, given the show's penchant for satirizing celebrities.[26]
2003–present
In 2003, Tomei appeared in one of her biggest commercial hits, Anger Management. The following year, she appeared in the film Alfie based on the 1966 British film of the same name, opposite Jude Law. In 2005, she was featured in an ad campaign for Hanes with the slogan "Look who we've got our Hanes on now", featuring various other celebrities including Michael Jordan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Damon Wayans, Matthew Perry and, on Spanish-language advertising, Aracely Arámbula and Pablo Montero. In 2006, Tomei had a recurring role on Rescue Me, playing Johnny Gavin's ex-wife Angie. She won a Gracie Allen Award for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work in the four episodes she appeared in. The following year she appeared in the comedy Wild Hogs alongside John Travolta, Tim Allen, William H. Macy and Martin Lawrence. The film was the 13th highest-grossing movie of 2007 ($168,273,550 domestic box office). She also starred in the Sidney Lumet-directed Before the Devil Knows You're Dead opposite co-stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke. The film was released to critical acclaim.
Tomei at the 81st Academy Awards in February 2009
In 2008, Tomei played Cassidy/Pam, a struggling stripper in the Darren Aronofsky independent film The Wrestler opposite Mickey Rourke. She appeared in several nude scenes performing dance numbers in the film, on working with Tomei, director Aronofsky said, "This role shows how courageous and brave Marisa is. And ultimately she's really sexy. We knew nudity was a big part of the picture, and she wanted to be that exposed and vulnerable."[27] Numerous critics heralded this performance as a standout in her career, The Hollywood Reporter states, "Tomei delivers one of her most arresting performances, again without any trace of vanity."[28] Ty Burr of The Boston Globe writes, "Tomei gives a brave and scrupulously honest performance, one that's most naked when Pam has her clothes on."[29] Variety exclaimed, "Tomei is in top, emotionally forthright form as she charts a life passage similar to Ram's."[30] For her performance she was nominated for her first BAFTA, second Golden Globe and third Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Tomei was included at #18 on the FHM annual list of "100 Sexiest Females in the world" in 2009.[31] The following year she appeared in two films, the first a comedy-drama, Cyrus and a cameo in the comedy film, Grown Ups. Tomei hosted the 2011 Scientific and Technical Awards, which was followed by an appearance at the 83rd Academy Awards.[32] Recently, she starred alongside Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Phillippe in the mystery suspense film, The Lincoln Lawyer, though the film was met with mixed reviews. The Hollywood Reporter states that Tomei's character was "brutally underused".[33] She also appeared in Salvation Boulevard with Jennifer Connelly, Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear, which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Tomei's 2011 films included Crazy, Stupid, Love., with Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, and Emma Stone, and the George Clooney film, The Ides of March, with Clooney, Ryan Gosling, and Paul Giamatti. She is in talks to star alongside Sarah Jessica Parker in the indie comedy, Married and Cheating.[34] In an interview, Lady Gaga stated that she would want Tomei to portray her in a film about the singer, Tomei responded saying, "I was thrilled when I heard. I love her. I love her music. And she's a smart businesswoman. So I was so touched, really. I think it's incredible that she likes my work and that she'd think of me."[35]
Theatre
Tomei has also done substantial work in the theater, including taking lead roles on Broadway in Wait Until Dark (1998) and Oscar Wilde's Salomé (2003) alongside Al Pacino and Dianne Wiest as well as many Off-Broadway plays.
Personal life
Tomei was the recipient of an honorary degree from Boston University.[36]
Awards
Academy Award
- 1992: My Cousin Vinny
- Nominations
- 2001: In the Bedroom
- 2008: The Wrestler
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1984 The Flamingo Kid Mandy 1984 The Toxic Avenger Health Club Girl uncredited[37] 1986 Playing for Keeps Tracy 1991 Oscar Lisa Provolone Nominated — Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress 1991 Zandalee Remy 1992 My Cousin Vinny Mona Lisa Vito Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actress (also for Chaplin)
MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance
Nominated — Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress1992 Equinox Rosie Rivers 1992 Chaplin Mabel Normand Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actress (also for My Cousin Vinny) 1993 Untamed Heart Caroline MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (shared with Christian Slater) 1994 Only You Faith Corvatch 1994 The Paper Martha Hacket 1995 The Perez Family Dorita Evita Perez 1995 Four Rooms Margaret 1996 Unhook the Stars Monica Warren Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Supporting Female Actor - Motion Picture 1997 A Brother's Kiss Missy 1997 Welcome to Sarajevo Nina 1998 Slums of Beverly Hills Rita Abromowitz American Comedy Awards for Funniest Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
Nominated — Teen Choice Award — Film — Funniest Scene (shared with Natasha Lyonne)1998 My Own Country Mattie Vines TV film 1998 Since You've Been Gone Tori TV film
uncredited1998 Only Love Elvie TV film 2000 Happy Accidents Ruby Weaver 2000 The Watcher Dr. Polly Beilman 2000 What Women Want Lola Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards — Favorite Supporting Actress — Comedy/Romance2000 King of the Jungle Det. Costello 2000 Dirk and Betty Paris 2001 In the Bedroom Natalie Strout Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture
Nominated — Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture Drama
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Cast - Motion Picture2001 Someone Like You Liz 2001 Jenifer Nina Capelli TV film 2002 The Wild Thornberrys Movie Bree Blackburn voice 2002 Just a Kiss Paula 2002 The Guru Lexi 2003 Anger Management Linda 2004 Alfie Julie 2005 Loverboy Sybil 2005 Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School Meredith Morrison 2005 Factotum Laura 2006 Danika Danika 2007 Grace Is Gone Woman at Pool 2007 Wild Hogs Maggie 2007 Before the Devil Knows You're Dead Gina Hanson Gotham Award for Best Cast
Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female2007 The Rich Inner Life of Penelope Cloud Penelope Cloud TV film 2008 War, Inc. Natalie Hegalhuzen 2008 The Wrestler Cassidy/Pam Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
International Cinephile Society for Best Supporting Actress
Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress
Hollywood Film Festival Award for Supporting Actress of the Year
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture
Nominated — Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress2010 Cyrus Molly Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy 2010 Grown Ups Spectator Cameo 2011 The Lincoln Lawyer Margaret McPherson 2011 Salvation Boulevard Honey Foster 2011 Crazy, Stupid, Love. Kate 2011 The Ides of March Ida Horowicz Television Year Title Role Notes 1983–85 As the World Turns Marcy Thompson 1987 ABC Afterschool Special Noelle Crandall 1 episode: "Supermom's Daughter" 1987 Leg Work Donna Ricci 1 episode: "Pilot" 1987 A Different World Maggie Lauten 21 episodes 1996 Seinfeld Herself 1 episode: "The Cadillac" 2003 The Simpsons Sara Sloane Voice
1 episode: "A Star Is Born Again"2006 Rescue Me Angie Gavin 4 episodes
Gracie Allen Awards — Outstanding Supporting Actress — Drama SeriesVideo Year Title Role Notes 2010 Core and Curves Herself Exercise video References
- ^ "Marisa Tomei Box". Boxofficemojo.com. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?id=marisatomei.htm. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ Rochlin, Margy (1997-02-02). "Vinny's Girlfriend, Climbing Back After Success". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9403E0D81F3AF931A35751C0A961958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
- ^ Euvino, Gabrielle. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Italian History and Culture. Alpha Books, 2002. ISBN 0028642341.
- ^ Film professor researches how female stardom links to American views on immigration and ethnicity. University of North Texas. October 25, 2001.
- ^ "Marisa Tomei Biography.". Tiscali.co.uk. http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/marisa_tomei_biog.html. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ a b "Maris Tomei Biography. Yahoo! Movies". Movies.yahoo.com. 1964-12-04. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800024659/bio. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ Collins, Glenn. "Actress's Challenge in Change of Pace and Diction", The New York Times, August 10, 1992. Retrieved October 23, 2007.
- ^ "The New York Times, 1992". New York Times. 1992-03-22. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7D91131F931A15750C0A964958260. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
- ^ "My Cousin Vinny (1992) Review". The New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE2DC1738F930A25750C0A964958260. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
- ^ Roger Ebert Movie Answer Man : the questions that will not die, August 27, 2000
- ^ Diane Negra, Off-white Hollywood: American culture and ethnic female stardom Routledge, 2001, ISBN 0415216788, p. 160
- ^ Richard Roeper Urban Legends: The Truth Behind All Those Deliciously Entertaining Myths That Are Absolutely, Positively, 100% Not True, Career Press, 2000,ISBN 1564144186, p. 127
- ^ Truth and rumors: the reality behind TV's most famous myths. Google. 2007-12. ISBN 9780275992477. http://books.google.com/?id=voIe7XkFvEsC&pg=PA161&lpg=PA161&dq=Rex+Reed+Tomei+Cover-up+-wikipedia#v=onepage&q=Rex%20Reed%20Tomei%20Cover-up%20-wikipedia&f=false. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
- ^ Roger Ebert, Movie Answer Man, June 15, 1997
- ^ "Marisa Tomei Awarded Oscar by Mistake?". snopes.com. http://www.snopes.com/movies/actors/tomei.asp. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
- ^ "Marisa Tomei on 'The Wrestler' and that weird, pesky rumor that she didn't really win the Oscar for 'Vinny'". Goldderby.latimes.com. 2008-12-15. http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/12/movie-news-4915.html. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
- ^ Roger Ebert, Movie Answer Man
- ^ "Return Tomei". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,213491,00.html. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
- ^ Holden, Stephen The New York Times November 1, 1996 Tomatoes Unhook the Stars (1996) Retrieved on February 2, 2011.
- ^ Rotten Tomatoes Slums of Beverly Hills review
- ^ "The Slums of Beverly Hills (1998)". The New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9507E0DF133AF937A2575BC0A96E958260. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- ^ "Slums of Beverly Hills review". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117912893?refcatid=31. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- ^ RICHARD SCHICKEL, The Appeal of Her Zeal, Time magazine, May 18, 2002
- ^ "In the Bedroom review". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117797147?refcatid=31. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
- ^ "Movie Review In the Bedroom". The New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9401EED8143AF930A15752C1A9679C8B63. Retrieved 2001-11-23.
- ^ Mohr, Jay (2004-06-09). Gasping For Airtime: Two Years In the Trenches of Saturday Night Live. Hyperion. ISBN 1401300065.
- ^ "Marisa Tomei: A no-holds-barred acting job in 'Wrestler'". USA Today. 2008-12-21. http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2008-12-21-tomei-wrestler_N.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ "Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 2008-09-05. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/reviews-118626. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ Burr, Ty The Boston Globe December 25, 2008 The Wrestler film review Retrieved on February 1, 2011.
- ^ McCarthy, Todd September 5, 2008 Variety Variety The Wrestler review Retrieved on February 1, 2010.
- ^ "FMH 100 Sexiest 2009." FHM magazine. April 2009.
- ^ Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Press Release February 12, 2011 Marisa Tomei to Host Academy's Sci-Tech Awards® Retrieved on February 5, 2011.
- ^ "The Lincoln Lawyer Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 2008-03-09. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/lincoln-lawyer-film-review-165511. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ "Marisa Tomei and Sarah Jessica Parker Are 'Married and Cheating'". First Showing. 2011-03-13. http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/marisa-tomei-and-sarah-jessica-parker-are-married-and-cheating/. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ "There's no questioning Tomei's acting range". The Charlotte Observer. 2011-03-17. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/17/2146190/theres-no-questioning-tomeis-acting.html. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ "Exclusively Marisa". www.exclusivelymarisa.com. 2007-11-19. http://www.exclusivelymarisa.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=77&pos=8. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ "(official studio site)". ToxicAvenger.com. http://www.toxicavenger.com/movies/ta1/index.html. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
External links
- Marisa Tomei at the Internet Movie Database
- Marisa Tomei at the Internet Broadway Database
- Marisa Tomei at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
Categories:- 1964 births
- Actors from New York City
- American film actors
- American people of Italian descent
- American stage actors
- American soap opera actors
- American television actors
- Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winners
- Living people
- People from Brooklyn
- Boston University alumni
- 20th-century actors
- 21st-century actors
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