Biography
For some performers, winning an Oscar became both a blessing and a curse. While an Academy Award could lead to bigger and better roles, it could also bring about career stagnation, as the actor tried to live up to unrealistic expectations. Actress Marisa Tomei was in danger of failing to warrant the hype after seemingly coming out of nowhere to nab Best Supporting Actress for her comical performance in "My Cousin Vinny" (1992). Though she …
Marisa Tomei SlideShow
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Career Milestones
| Grew up in Flatbush section of Brooklyn, NY | ||
1983 | Appeared as Marcy Thompson on the CBS daytime drama "As the World Turns" | |
1984 | Feature film debut, "The Flamingo Kid" | |
1985 | Made off-Broadway debut in "Daughters" | |
1987 | Landed title role in "Supermom's Daughter," an "ABC Afterschool Special" | |
1987 | Played Lisa Bonet's roommate during the first season of NBC's "A Different World" | |
1990 | TV-movie debut, "Parker Kane" (NBC) | |
1991 | Returned to features after five years to play Sylvester Stallone's daughter in "Oscar" | |
1992 | Cast as silent screen star Mabel Normand in "Chaplin," starring Robert Downey Jr. in the title role | |
1992 | Landed Academy Award-winning role as Joe Pesci's girlfriend in "My Cousin Vinny" | |
1993 | First romantic lead in features, "Untamed Heart" | |
1994 | Played first top-billed role in "Only You," second film with Robert Downey Jr. | |
1994 | Portrayed Michael Keaton's pregnant wife in "The Paper" | |
1995 | Starred opposite Anjelica Huston in "The Perez Family" | |
1996 | Earned plaudits for turn as a troubled single mother in "Unhook the Stars" | |
1996 | Made appearance as herself on an episode of the NBC sitcom "Seinfeld" | |
1998 | Cast as the knowing cousin of a teen coming of age in "Slums of Beverly Hills" | |
1998 | Made Broadway debut in revival of "Wait Until Dark," co-starring Quentin Tarantino | |
1998 | Made rare TV acting appearance in the Showtime drama "My Own Country" | |
1999 | Appeared in Dario Fo's "We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay!" at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA | |
2000 | Appeared opposite Mel Gibson in romantic comedy "What Women Want" | |
2000 | Co-starred with Keanu Reeves and James Spader in "The Watcher" | |
2000 | Played opposite Vincent D'Onofrio in Sundance-screened "Happy Accidents" | |
2001 | Cast as Ashley Judd's best friend in "Someone Like You" | |
2001 | Co-starred with Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek in award-winning drama "In the Bedroom"; received second Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress | |
2002 | Appeared in ensemble romantic comedy "Just a Kiss" | |
2003 | Cast in the feature "The Guru" | |
2003 | Played female lead in comedy "Anger Management" | |
2004 | Starred opposite Jude Law in "Alfie," a remake of 1966 film starring Michael Caine | |
2006 | Appeared on several episodes of "Rescue Me" (FX) as Tommy's (Dennis Leary) sister-in-law turned love interest | |
2006 | Cast in Randall Miller's "Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School" | |
2006 | Co-starred with Kyra Sedgwick in the Kevin Bacon directed "Loverboy"; premiered at Sundance (lensed 2003) | |
2007 | Cast opposite John Cusack in the indie drama "Grace is Gone," which premiered at Sundance | |
2007 | Co-starred in Sidney Lumet's "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead"; earned an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress | |
2008 | Nominated for the 2008 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture ("The Wrestler") | |
2008 | Played a stripper opposite Mickey Rourke in Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" | |
2009 | Nominated for the 2008 Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role ("The Wrestler") | |
2010 | Co-starred with Jonah Hill and John C. Reilly in the comedy "Cyrus" | |
2011 | Co-starred in "The Ides of March" with George Clooney, who also directed, co-wrote, and produced film | |
2011 | Co-starred with Matthew McConaughey in the crime thriller "The Lincoln Lawyer" | |
2011 | Delivered memorable comic turn opposite Steve Carell in "Crazy, Stupid, Love" | |
2012 | Co-starred with Billy Crystal and Bette Midler in family comedy "Parental Guidance" | |
Awards
1992 | Academy Award for Actress In a Supporting Role in My Cousin Vinny |
1993 | MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance in My Cousin Vinny |
1997 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Unhook the Stars |
2001 | Academy Award for Actress In a Supporting Role in In the Bedroom |
2001 | Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in In the Bedroom |
2001 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in In the Bedroom |
2002 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in In the Bedroom |
2008 | Academy Award for Actress In a Supporting Role in The Wrestler |
2008 | BAFTA Award for Supporting Actress in The Wrestler |
2008 | Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in The Wrestler |
2008 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in The Wrestler |
2008 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead |
2008 | San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress in The Wrestler |