Marisa Tomei already had many television, theatre, and small film roles under her belt when she rose to international fame with her role in My Cousin Vinny in 1992. She went on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Mona Lisa Vito in the film. Since then, Tomei has acquired two more nominations in the same category, for her role in Darren Aronofsky's 2008 sport-drama The Wrestler, and the 2001 drama, In The Bedroom.
Throughout her career, so far, Tomei has brought to a life a host of different characters, ranging from film star Mabel Normand in Chaplin to young mother Monica in Unhook The Stars. Most recently, Tomei has taken on the role of Aunt May, the aunt of Tom Holland's Spider-Man in the MCU. As well as her many critically acclaimed performances, however, Tomei has graced screens with many noteworthy performances over the years that have fallen under the radar.
The Wrestler (2008)
Darren Aronofsky's 2008 drama The Wrestler earned Tomei her third Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The film follows Mickey Rourke's character Randy Robinson, an aging wrestler who befriends an aging stripper named Cassidy, played by Marisa Tomei.
As Randy struggles to come to terms with the fact that he may need to give up wrestling, Cassidy attempts to convince him that there are other things to enjoy in the world. Cassidy encourages Randy to make positive changes in his life and becomes instrumental in his growth throughout the film.
The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
The 2011 film The Lincoln Lawyer, stars Matthew McConaughey as defense lawyer Mick Haller. In supporting roles, the film features Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillipe, and Bryan Cranston, among others. The Lincoln Lawyer follows Haller as he takes on a high-profile case involving a playboy who has been accused of assault.
Tomei plays McConaughey's ex-wife and prosecutor Maggie McPherson. Maggie and Mick remain close despite their divorce, although Maggie disapproves of Mick's choice in representing primarily guilty individuals. Tomei delivers a memorable performance as a moral character who fights for justice and serves as a contrast to Mick's questionable ethics.
Only You (1994)
Following her breakthrough with My Cousin Vinny, Tomei starred alongside Robert Downey Jr. in the 1994 romantic comedy Only You. From the director of Moonstruck, Only You follows Tomei's character Faith, who was told as a teenager of the name of her true love.
As an adult, Faith prepares to marry her fiancé but changes her mind at the last minute after receiving a phone call from a man who goes by exactly the same name that the psychic prophesized many years before. Upon hearing this name again, Faith flees to Italy on a quest to find Damon Bradley, the true love of her life.
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Crazy, Stupid, Love. is a romantic comedy that follows the recently divorced Cal Weaver as he adapts to single life. Cal, played by Steve Carrell, meets Ryan Gosling's character, Jacob Palmer, who vows to help Cal to pick up women.
Throughout the film, Cal meets many women and manages to get himself into more than one difficult situation. Marisa Tomei plays Kate, one of the women that Cal meets with Jacob, which results in an amusingly uncomfortable encounter down the line.
Before The Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead was the last feature film from Academy-Award-winning director Sidney Lumet. The film follows brothers Andy and Hank Hanson, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke respectively. Both struggling financially, the brothers decide to carry out a victimless jewelry store robbery.
Marisa Tomei features in the film as Andy's wife Gina, who is dissatisfied in her marriage and having an affair with her husband's younger brother, Hank. Tomei presents a complex character who functions both as Andy's trophy wife and an individual with her own needs who seeks elsewhere what Andy cannot give her.
Love Is Strange (2014)
Love is Strange is a 2014 film that revolves around Ben and George, a couple who have gotten married after 39 years together. After their wedding, however, the couple find themselves in a position where they can no longer afford their apartment and must move in with friends and family.
As the couple is forced apart, George stays with their ex-neighbors, a much younger couple, while Ben moves in with his nephew, Elliot, and his wife, Kate. Marisa Tomei plays the character of Kate, a novelist and mother who works from home and is forced to spend a lot of time with Ben.
In The Bedroom (2001)
Tomei received her second Best Supporting Actress nomination for her portrayal of single mother Natalie Strout in the 2001 film In The Bedroom. Although the Oscar ultimately went to Jennifer Connelly for her role in A Beautiful Mind, Tomei's performance should not be overlooked.
Tomei's character Natalie is separated from the father of her children and in a relationship with Frank, an architecture student. The film follows Frank as he pursues his relationship with Natalie, despite his mother's disapproval and constant impositions from Natalie's ex-husband.
Untamed Heart (1993)
The 1993 romance-drama Untamed Heart presents Tomei in the lead role as unlucky-in-love waitress Caroline, who begins a relationship with a busboy at the restaurant where she works. The busboy, Adam, played by Christian Slater, has admired Caroline from afar for a long time, and finally steps into her life one night when he comes to her rescue.
As the two begin to fall for one another and Caroline finally finds herself in a worthwhile relationship, revelations come to light that threaten their relationship. Untamed Heart shows that since the earlier days of her career, Tomei has always had the ability to own the leading role.
The Rewrite (2014)
The 2014 Marc Lawrence romantic-comedy The Rewrite stars Hugh Grant as Keith Michaels, an Oscar-winning, one-hit-wonder screenwriter who takes a job teaching screenwriting at university. While teaching, Keith meets single mother Holly Carpenter, played by Marisa Tomei.
Although the two characters see the world very differently, Keith and Holly become friends and Holly's optimistic approach to life begins to have a profound effect on Keith. Upon taking her advice, Keith's life begins to change in more ways than one.
Unhook The Stars (1996)
Tomei steals the show once again with her supporting character Monica in the 1996 film Unhook The Stars. Monica is a chaotic young mother who finds herself finally free of her abusive husband and, as such, needs someone to look after her young son JJ while she works.
Monica's neighbor Mildred, played by Gena Rowlands, enjoys caring for others and gladly takes on the responsibility. Mildred and Monica then begin to build a friendship and Monica teaches Mildred how to care for herself and enjoy her own life, instead of always putting others first.