Marisa Tomei biography

Marisa Tomei

Marisa Tomei (born on December 4, 1964) is an American actress, winner of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film "My Cousin Vinny" (1992), nominated for two times for her act in "In the Bedroom" (2001) and "The Wrestler" (2008). Some of her successful films are "What Women Want" (2000), "Anger Management" (2003) and "Wild Hogs" (2007).

Marisa Tomei was born in Brooklyn, New York, having a younger brother and being partially raised by her grandparents, Rita and Romeo Tomei. She became fascinated by the shows on Broadway and developed a strong desire of becoming an actress. Following her graduation from High School, she attended Boston University, transferring later to New York University in 1983 and dropping out fro it from a co-starring role in the daytime drama "As the World Turns".

Her breakthrough in acting came with "My Cousin Vinny" (1992), obtaining the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. Following the Oscar, she was nominated for Screen Actor's Guild Award for Outstanding Female Supporting Actor in "Unhook the Stars", for American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actress in "Slums of Beverly Hills" and for a Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress in "What Women Want". In 1996 he had a guest appearance in Seinfeld, in the two part episode "The Cadillac" and another appearance on The Simpsons. She was nominated for her first Golden Globe Award and for her second Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for "In the Bedroom" (2001). In 2003, Tomei played in the successful "Anger Management" along with Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson. In 2006, she appeared for couple of times in the TV Series "Rescue Me" that will bring her a Gracie Allen Award as Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the episodes she appeared in. In 2007 Tomei played in the comedy "Wild Hogs" that turned out to be a huge success. She appeared in the "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, performing some nude love scenes that would give her an extra attention. In 2008, her role in "The Wrestler" brought Tomei nominations for a BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award. For that role she also received positive reviews from several critics. Tomei was also involved in the theater, having leading roles on Broadway and Off-Broadway plays.

Following the presentation of the Oscar to Marisa Tomei in 1993 by Jack Palance, a rumor was started that she got it by mistake as the presenter couldn't read what was printed on the card in the envelope. The Academy officially rejected these accusations, saying that it is nothing more than a rumor, a so called urban myth and that such event is impossible to happen.

At the beginning of the 1990s she dated Robert Downey, Jr; in 1999 she dated Dana Ashbrook; she also had a relationship with Frank Pugliese. Presently she is dating actor Logan Marshall Green. Although she dropped out of school, Marisa Tomei had an honorary degree from Boston University.