Marisa Tomei

Marisa Tomei, born on December 4, 1964, is an American actress known for her diverse range of roles across film, television, and theater. She gained widespread recognition for her comedic performance in the film "My Cousin Vinny" (1992), which earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Tomei received additional nominations in the same category for her roles in "In the Bedroom" (2001) and "The Wrestler" (2008).


Early in her career, Tomei appeared in the soap opera "As the World Turns" (1983–1985) and the first season of the sitcom "A Different World" (1987). She then went on to star in various films, including "Chaplin" (1992), "The Paper" (1994), "What Women Want" (2000), "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" (2007), "Wild Hogs" (2007), "The Ides of March" (2011), "Crazy, Stupid, Love" (2011), "Parental Guidance" (2012), "The Big Short" (2015), and "The King of Staten Island" (2020).


In addition to her film work, Tomei portrayed May Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in films such as "Captain America: Civil War" (2016) and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021).


Tomei has also been involved in theater, having worked with the Naked Angels Theater Company and making her Broadway debut in "Wait Until Dark" (1998). She earned a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for her role in "Top Girls" (2008) and received a special Drama Desk Award for "The Realistic Joneses" (2014). In 2019, she returned to Broadway in the revival of "The Rose Tattoo."
Recently, Tomei appeared in the romantic comedy "Upgraded," showcasing her continued versatility as an actress.

Marisa Tomei was born on December 4, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, to Adelaide "Addie" (née Bianchi), an English teacher, and Gary A. Tomei, a trial lawyer. She grew up in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn and has a younger brother, actor Adam Tomei. Tomei's parents are both of Italian descent, with her father's ancestors hailing from Tuscany, Calabria, and Campania, and her mother's ancestors from Tuscany and Sicily.


During her upbringing, Tomei developed a passion for Broadway shows, often attending them with her theater-loving parents. This exposure fueled her interest in pursuing acting as a career. She participated in school productions, including portraying Hedy LaRue in a production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" at Andries Hudde Junior High School. Tomei also received training at the Albee School of Dance.
After graduating from Edward R. Murrow High School in 1982, Tomei briefly attended Boston University before embarking on her acting career.


Marisa Tomei continued her acting career with a main role on the sitcom A Different World as Maggie Lauten during the first season in 1986. Prior to this, she had a minor role in the 1984 comedy film The Flamingo Kid, playing Mandy, a waitress, with just one line. In 1986, she also had a small role in the Bob and Harvey Weinstein-directed comedy film Playing for Keeps, which was not successful both financially and critically.


Tomei made her stage debut in 1987 at the age of 22 in the off-Broadway play Daughters, where she portrayed the character Cetta. Her performance garnered rave reviews and earned her the Theatre World Award for outstanding debut on stage. She continued to pursue roles off-Broadway in plays like Beirut in 1987, Sharon and Billy in 1988, and What the Butler Saw in 1989. Additionally, she portrayed Rosa Delle Rose in The Rose Tattoo at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.


During this period, Tomei also took on more prominent roles in films, appearing opposite Sylvester Stallone in the comedy Oscar (1991) and alongside Nicolas Cage in the erotic thriller Zandalee (1991).


Marisa Tomei rose to international prominence with her comedic performance in the 1992 film My Cousin Vinny, starring opposite Joe Pesci. Her portrayal earned her critical acclaim, with critic Vincent Canby praising her comedic timing and versatility in the role. Tomei's performance as Mona Lisa Vito earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 1993 Oscars, where she prevailed over other nominees such as Miranda Richardson, Joan Plowright, Vanessa Redgrave, and Judy Davis.


Despite her well-deserved win, there was controversy surrounding her victory, fueled by allegations from American film critic Rex Reed suggesting that Jack Palance, who announced the award, had made a mistake. However, these claims were debunked, and Tomei herself found the rumors hurtful. The Academy denied the allegations, and subsequent polls among academy members reaffirmed Tomei's win as the rightful recipient of the award.


Following her Oscar win, Tomei appeared in various films, including portraying silent film star Mabel Normand in Chaplin, opposite her then-boyfriend Robert Downey Jr. She also starred in Untamed Heart and Only You, earning accolades for her performances. Tomei continued to impress critics with her roles in films like Unhook the Stars, for which she received her first Screen Actors Guild award nomination.


In addition to her film roles, Tomei made several television appearances during the 1990s, including guest spots on popular shows like Seinfeld and The Simpsons. Despite some controversies, Tomei's talent and versatility as an actress remained undeniable, cementing her status as one of Hollywood's most respected performers.


Marisa Tomei's career continued to thrive in the early 2000s with a diverse range of roles in both mainstream and independent films.
In 2000, she appeared in Nancy Meyers' comedy What Women Want alongside Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt, which became a commercial success. Tomei also had a supporting role in the romantic comedy Someone Like You, starring Ashley Judd, Hugh Jackman, and Greg Kinnear.
The following year, Tomei delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Todd Field's independent drama film In the Bedroom. Her portrayal of Natalie earned her widespread praise and several awards, including a ShoWest Award for Best Supporting Actress. The New York Times hailed it as her finest screen role, and she received her second Academy Award nomination and her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress.


In 2002, Tomei appeared in the Bollywood-inspired film The Guru and lent her voice to the animated feature film The Wild Thornberrys Movie. She continued to showcase her versatility with roles in commercial hits like Anger Management (2003) alongside Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler, and the comedy Alfie (2004) with Jude Law.


In 2006, Tomei had a recurring role in the TV series Rescue Me and received a Gracie Allen Award for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She also starred in the comedy Wild Hogs (2007), one of the highest-grossing movies of the year.


Tomei's standout performance came in Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler (2008), where she portrayed Cassidy/Pam, a struggling stripper. Her courageous and emotionally raw portrayal earned her widespread acclaim, with critics praising her honesty and vulnerability. Tomei received nominations for the BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film.


Outside of film, Tomei recorded the role of Mary Magdalene in Thomas Nelson's audio Bible production The Word of Promise in 2009, showcasing her versatility across different mediums.

References

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