Marisa Tomei born December 4, 1964, is an acclaimed American actress. Her sterling career kicked off with appearances in the soap opera As the World Turns (1983–1985) and the first season of the sitcom A Different World (1987). She rapidly gained prominence for her sharp comic performance in My Cousin Vinny (1992), which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Tomei's undeniable talen led to further nominations in the same category for In the Bedroom (2001) and The Wrestler (2008). Outside of her film work, Tomei also made critical contributions to theatre as a founding member of the Naked Angels Theater Company. Despite her already impressive resume, Tomei continued to push her creative boundaries and won a special Drama Desk Award for her formidable performance in Will Eno's The Realistic Joneses (2014). She was also a vital part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing May Parker in a series of films ranging from Captain America: Civil War (2016) to Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).

Tomei was born in Brooklyn, New York City in a family of Italian descent. Her talent in acting was evident in her youth, and this led her to roles in school productions and later, Boston University. After transitioning to television, she garnered recognition and moved on to film, eventually earning her the accolades and acclaim she enjoys today. Throughout her career, Tomei demonstrated her versatility by embodying a wide range of characters in different genres, from romantic comedies like Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) to gripping dramas such as The Big Short (2015). Her formidable acting skills and enduring contribution to both film and theatre have firmly established her as one of Hollywood's most versatile and respected actresses.