Marisa Tomei Turns 41 Today

A petite, pert brunette, Tomei dropped out of college when she landed the regular role of teen Marcy Thompson on the long-running CBS daytime serial "As the World Turns" in 1983. While she was still appearing in that role, she saw her first feature film role in "The Flamingo Kid" (1984) unspool at cineplexes. She left daytime to hone her craft on stage and then headed to L.A. when she was cast as one of Lisa Bonet's roommates during the first season (1987-88) of the NBC spin-off sitcom "A Different World".

As the 90s dawned, Tomei returned to films displaying her comic talents as Sylvester Stallone's overly spoiled daughter in the mob comedy "Oscar" (1991), although the movie proved less appealing to audiences. The actress was a dead ringer for silent star Mabel Normand in the Richard Attenborough-directed biopic "Chaplin" (1992), but her Oscar win didn't necessarily translate into great parts. A somewhat quirky screen presence, Tomei was terrific as the shy waitress romanced by Christian Slater in "Untamed Hearts" (1993) and managed miracles with the rather underdeveloped role of a star reporter's pregnant wife in "The Paper" (1994). Her first real leading role in the gentle romantic comedy "Only You" (1994) attempted to showcase her charms, but her lack of chemistry with Robert Downey Jr. undermined the love story. Two of her best post-award roles were her turn as a the troubled, working-class single mother who learns lessons from her older neighbor (Gena Rowlands) in "Unhook the Stars" (1996) and as the wild cousin of an impressionable young girl (Natasha Lyonne) in "Slums of New York" (1998). Tomei made a rare return to the small screen in the AIDS-themed drama "My Own Country" (Showtime, 1998), co-starring with her real-life brother Adam. That same year, she starred alongside Quentin Tarantino in the Broadway revival of the thriller "Wait Until Dark".

Tomei started the new millennium with a starring turn opposite Vincent D'Onofrio in the fantasy romance "Happy Accidents" (2000). Finally finding a meaty role that allowed her to display her versatility, the actress delivered a charming yet believable performance as a modern-day woman whose Mr. Right reveals a disconcerting secret -- that he's a time-traveler from the future who has come back to save her life. The film premiered at Sundance and was snapped up for distribution, but the releasing company later had second thoughts and sold the distribution rights to another firm. By the time "Happy Accidents" had opened in 2001, Tomei had already been seen in relatively thankless supporting roles in the romantic comedies "What Women Want" (2000) and "Someone Like You" (2001). Tomei, though, proved her dramatic mettle in the 2001 Sundance entry "In the Bedroom". As the older, married lover of a college student whose mother disapproves of the relationship, she glowed and delivered a delicate, layered performance. The film was among the year's best-reviewed and earned the actress her second Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination, certainly a vindication to those who may have cruelly claimed she was awarded the first as a mistake.

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