Marisa Tomei (pronounced /m??r?s? to??me?/; 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.
Listed as one of twelve “Promising New Actors of 1991″ in John Willis’ Screen World, Vol. 43.
Attended Boston University.
Attended Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, New York. Her brother, Adam Tomei, and Darren Aronofsky also attended this high school.
Older sister of actor Adam Tomei.
Has a tattoo of the Egyptian Eye of Ra (protection, good luck abundance) on her right foot.
In 2003, she played the title role in a revival of Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” in an Actors Studio production, directed by Estelle Parsons, on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre; co-stars included Al Pacino, Dianne Wiest, and David Strathairn.
She is of Italian descent
Before the 1993 Oscar ceremony, she told “Entertainment Tonight” (1981) that her biggest fear was that she would trip on the steps on her way to the stage. She did.
Revealed to Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show” (1996) that she sometimes travels under an Italian passport. (Oct 2004)
No relation to Concetta Tomei.
Has dual citizenship between United States and Italy. She sometimes travels under the Italian passport.
Her mother was an English teacher at Cavallaro Junior High School in Brooklyn, New York.
Auditioned for the role of “Dorothy Boyd” in Jerry Maguire (1996).
In the early 1990s, she had a relationship with Robert Downey Jr. (her co-star in Chaplin (1992) and Only You (1994)). In 1999, she was with actor Dana Ashbrook and had a relationship with Frank Pugliese. She (as of 2009) now dates actor Logan Marshall-Green, who is twelve years her junior.
Has never starred in a sequel or a prequel to a film.
One of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People 2009.
Godmother of Zoë Kravitz, daughter of Marisa’s “A Different World” (1987) co-star Lisa Bonet.
Turned down the female lead in Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) which went to Andie MacDowell.
