Maria Bello
Encyclopedia
Maria Elena Bello is an American actress and singer known for her appearances in the movies Coyote Ugly
, The Jane Austen Book Club
, Permanent Midnight
, Thank You for Smoking, A History of Violence
, Payback, and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
. For television she is known for her role as Dr. Anna Del Amico
on the NBC medical drama ER
.
, the daughter of Kathy, a teacher and school nurse, and Joe Bello, a contractor. Her father is Italian American
and her mother Polish American
. She grew up in a working-class Roman Catholic family and graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School (Radnor, Pennsylvania)
. Later she attended Villanova University
, majoring in political science. She intended to become a lawyer, but took an acting class during her senior year, just for fun. She was soon cast in small off-Broadway
plays, such as The Killer Inside Me, Small Town Gals With Big Problems and Urban Planning. She later guest-starred on episodes of The Commish
(1991), Nowhere Man
(1995), Misery Loves Company (1995) Due South
(1994), and ER
(1997–98).
. The show was cancelled after just eight weeks on the air. Then came a guest stint on ER
as the feisty pediatrician Dr. Anna Del Amico
, in which she guest-starred in the final three episodes of the third season. Bello remained on the show for one season as a regular cast member, departing after the medical drama's 4th season. The actress went on into movies landing a role in Coyote Ugly
. She has been nominated for the Golden Globe award twice: for Best Supporting Actress in The Cooler
(2003) and for Best Actress in A History of Violence
(2005). She also starred in The Jane Austen Book Club
as Jocelyn.
In 2008 Bello starred in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
as Evy O'Connell, taking over from Rachel Weisz
. Bello has stated that she has signed up for three more Mummy films.
In December 2008 Bello began developing a drama for HBO. Besides starring in the new series, Bello will also serve as an executive producer
.
Bello's latest project, the 2009 Sundance film The Yellow Handkerchief
, was released in theaters on February 26, 2010 by Samuel Goldwyn Films
.
It was announced in 2010 that Bello will guest-star in two episodes of Law & Order: SVU.
Bello stars in the NBC TV series Prime Suspect
in fall of 2011.
, but they broke off their engagement some time before October 2010.
According to reports, her best friend is actress Carrie-Anne Moss
, best known for her role in The Matrix
, and each serves as godmother to the other's first-born child.
Bello is a Muay Thai
practitioner.
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, Bello along with Aleda Frishman, Alison Thompson, and Barbara Guillaume founded WE ADVANCE, an organization which creates a grassroot movement empowering Haitian women to collaborate toward making healthcare a priority, and putting an end to GBV
(Gender-based Violence) within their communities. The organization seeks to act as a central agency to network the organizations working on women's issues in Haiti, and to provide urgent care to women victimized by the disaster. Currently their programs are headquartered in one health clinic and one community outreach center in Cité Soleil, Haiti.
Bello sits on the board of The CQ Matrix company.
Coyote Ugly (film)
Coyote Ugly is a 2000 romantic comedy/drama based on the actual Coyote Ugly Saloon, set in New York City. The film stars Piper Perabo and Adam Garcia...
, The Jane Austen Book Club
The Jane Austen Book Club (film)
The Jane Austen Book Club is a 2007 American romantic drama film written and directed by Robin Swicord. The screenplay, adapted from the 2004 novel of the same name by Karen Joy Fowler, focuses on a book club formed specifically to discuss the six novels written by Jane Austen...
, Permanent Midnight
Permanent Midnight
Permanent Midnight is a 1998 biographical romantic comedy-drama film directed by David Veloz starring Ben Stiller. The film is based on Jerry Stahl's autobiographical book of the same name, and tells the story of Stahl's rise from a small-time television writer to his success as a comedy writer...
, Thank You for Smoking, A History of Violence
A History of Violence (film)
A History of Violence is a 2005 American crime thriller film directed by David Cronenberg and written by Josh Olson. It is an adaptation of the 1997 graphic novel of the same name by John Wagner and Vince Locke...
, Payback, and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is a 2008 American action adventure film and sequel to The Mummy and The Mummy Returns . The film stars Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Luke Ford, and Jet Li, and was released on August 1, 2008 in the United States...
. For television she is known for her role as Dr. Anna Del Amico
Anna Del Amico
Dr. Anna Del Amico is a fictional medical doctor from the television series ER. She was portrayed by Maria Bello.- Life and Time at County :Del Amico first appeared in the show in 1997, guest starring in the last 3 episodes of the third season...
on the NBC medical drama ER
ER (TV series)
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
.
Early life
Bello was born in Norristown, PennsylvaniaNorristown, Pennsylvania
Norristown is a municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, northwest of the city limits of Philadelphia, on the Schuylkill River. The population was 34,324 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
, the daughter of Kathy, a teacher and school nurse, and Joe Bello, a contractor. Her father is Italian American
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
and her mother Polish American
Polish American
A Polish American , is a citizen of the United States of Polish descent. There are an estimated 10 million Polish Americans, representing about 3.2% of the population of the United States...
. She grew up in a working-class Roman Catholic family and graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School (Radnor, Pennsylvania)
Archbishop Carroll High School (Radnor, Pennsylvania)
Archbishop John Carroll High School is a secondary school part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia located in Radnor, Pennsylvania.-History:...
. Later she attended Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
, majoring in political science. She intended to become a lawyer, but took an acting class during her senior year, just for fun. She was soon cast in small off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
plays, such as The Killer Inside Me, Small Town Gals With Big Problems and Urban Planning. She later guest-starred on episodes of The Commish
The Commish
The Commish is a television series that aired on ABC in the United States from 1991 to 1996. The series focused on the work and home life of a suburban police commissioner in upstate New York....
(1991), Nowhere Man
Nowhere Man (TV series)
Nowhere Man is an American television series that aired from 1995 to 1996 starring Bruce Greenwood. Created by Lawrence Hertzog, the series aired Monday nights on UPN. Despite critical acclaim, including TV Guides label of "The season's coolest hit," the show was cancelled after only one...
(1995), Misery Loves Company (1995) Due South
Due South
Due South is a Canadian crime drama series with elements of comedy. The series was created by Paul Haggis, produced by Alliance Communications, and stars Paul Gross, David Marciano, and latterly Callum Keith Rennie...
(1994), and ER
ER (TV series)
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
(1997–98).
Career
Bello's breakthrough came when the producers Kerry Lenhart and John J. Sakmar cast her as Mrs. Smith in the spy show Mr. & Mrs. SmithMr. & Mrs. Smith (TV series)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a short-lived American crime drama series that aired on CBS. Starring Scott Bakula and Maria Bello, the series aired from September 1996 to December 1996. Mr. & Mrs. Smith was set and filmed in Seattle, Washington. The series was produced by Page Two Productions and Bakula...
. The show was cancelled after just eight weeks on the air. Then came a guest stint on ER
ER (TV series)
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
as the feisty pediatrician Dr. Anna Del Amico
Anna Del Amico
Dr. Anna Del Amico is a fictional medical doctor from the television series ER. She was portrayed by Maria Bello.- Life and Time at County :Del Amico first appeared in the show in 1997, guest starring in the last 3 episodes of the third season...
, in which she guest-starred in the final three episodes of the third season. Bello remained on the show for one season as a regular cast member, departing after the medical drama's 4th season. The actress went on into movies landing a role in Coyote Ugly
Coyote Ugly (film)
Coyote Ugly is a 2000 romantic comedy/drama based on the actual Coyote Ugly Saloon, set in New York City. The film stars Piper Perabo and Adam Garcia...
. She has been nominated for the Golden Globe award twice: for Best Supporting Actress in The Cooler
The Cooler
The Cooler is a 2003 romantic drama film directed by Wayne Kramer. The original screenplay was written by Kramer and Frank Hannah. In gambling parlance, a "cooler" is an unlucky individual whose presence at the tables results in a streak of bad luck for the other players.- Plot :Unlucky Bernie...
(2003) and for Best Actress in A History of Violence
A History of Violence (film)
A History of Violence is a 2005 American crime thriller film directed by David Cronenberg and written by Josh Olson. It is an adaptation of the 1997 graphic novel of the same name by John Wagner and Vince Locke...
(2005). She also starred in The Jane Austen Book Club
The Jane Austen Book Club
The Jane Austen Book Club is a 2004 novel by American author Karen Joy Fowler. The story, which takes place near Sacramento, California, centers around a book club consisting of five women and one man who meet once a month to discuss Jane Austen's six novels...
as Jocelyn.
In 2008 Bello starred in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is a 2008 American action adventure film and sequel to The Mummy and The Mummy Returns . The film stars Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Luke Ford, and Jet Li, and was released on August 1, 2008 in the United States...
as Evy O'Connell, taking over from Rachel Weisz
Rachel Weisz
Rachel Hannah Weisz born 7 March 1970)is an English-American film and theatre actress and former fashion model. She started her acting career at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where she co-founded the theatrical group Cambridge Talking Tongues...
. Bello has stated that she has signed up for three more Mummy films.
In December 2008 Bello began developing a drama for HBO. Besides starring in the new series, Bello will also serve as an executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
.
Bello's latest project, the 2009 Sundance film The Yellow Handkerchief
The Yellow Handkerchief (2010 film)
The Yellow Handkerchief is a 2010 independent drama film. Set in the present-day southern United States, The Yellow Handkerchief stars William Hurt as Brett Hanson, an ex-convict who embarks on a road trip...
, was released in theaters on February 26, 2010 by Samuel Goldwyn Films
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Samuel Goldwyn Films is an independent film company founded by Samuel Goldwyn, Jr., the son of the Hollywood business magnate/mogul, Samuel Goldwyn...
.
It was announced in 2010 that Bello will guest-star in two episodes of Law & Order: SVU.
Bello stars in the NBC TV series Prime Suspect
Prime Suspect (U.S. TV series)
Prime Suspect is an American police procedural television drama series that premiered on NBC on September 22, 2011. It stars Maria Bello as Detective Jane Timoney. The series is a "re-imagining" of the British series by the same name. The series was created by Lynda La Plante and was redeveloped by...
in fall of 2011.
Personal life
Bello has a son named Jackson Blue, born in 2001, with former long-time boyfriend Dan McDermott. She became engaged to musician Bryn Mooser in July 2008, but they broke off their engagement some time before October 2010.
According to reports, her best friend is actress Carrie-Anne Moss
Carrie-Anne Moss
-External links:...
, best known for her role in The Matrix
The Matrix
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
, and each serves as godmother to the other's first-born child.
Bello is a Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
practitioner.
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, Bello along with Aleda Frishman, Alison Thompson, and Barbara Guillaume founded WE ADVANCE, an organization which creates a grassroot movement empowering Haitian women to collaborate toward making healthcare a priority, and putting an end to GBV
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
(Gender-based Violence) within their communities. The organization seeks to act as a central agency to network the organizations working on women's issues in Haiti, and to provide urgent care to women victimized by the disaster. Currently their programs are headquartered in one health clinic and one community outreach center in Cité Soleil, Haiti.
Bello sits on the board of The CQ Matrix company.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | ER ER (TV series) ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television... |
Dr. Anna Del Amico | 25 episodes (1997–1998) Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series |
| 1998 | Permanent Midnight Permanent Midnight Permanent Midnight is a 1998 biographical romantic comedy-drama film directed by David Veloz starring Ben Stiller. The film is based on Jerry Stahl's autobiographical book of the same name, and tells the story of Stahl's rise from a small-time television writer to his success as a comedy writer... |
Kitty | |
| 1999 | Payback | Rosie | |
| 2000 | Coyote Ugly Coyote Ugly (film) Coyote Ugly is a 2000 romantic comedy/drama based on the actual Coyote Ugly Saloon, set in New York City. The film stars Piper Perabo and Adam Garcia... |
Lil Lovell | Blockbuster Entertainment Awards for Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy/Romance |
| 2000 | Duets Duets An original motion picture soundtrack CD was released on September 12, 2000 by Hollywood Records. The CD contained twelve tracks including the original music composed for the film by David Newman.... |
Suzi Loomis | |
| 2002 | Auto Focus Auto Focus Auto Focus is a 2002 American biographical film directed by Paul Schrader that stars Greg Kinnear and Willem Dafoe. The screenplay by Michael Gerbosi is based on the book The Murder of Bob Crane by Robert Graysmith.... |
Patricia Olson / Patrica Crane / Sigrid Valdis | |
| 2003 | Natalie Belisario | Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture The Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture is one of the Satellite Awards presented annually by the International Press Academy.- 1990s :Best Supporting Actress – Drama*1996: Courtney Love - The People vs... Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Nominated — Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress The Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress is an annual film award given by the Online Film Critics Society to honor the best supporting actress of the year.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated — Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress The winners of the Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress are listed below.- 2000s :- 2010s :... |
|
| 2004 | Silver City | Nora Allardyce | |
| 2004 | Secret Window Secret Window Secret Window is a 2004 psychological horror film starring Johnny Depp and John Turturro. It was written and directed by David Koepp, based on the novella Secret Window, Secret Garden by Stephen King, featuring a musical score by Philip Glass and Geoff Zanelli. The story appeared in King's... |
Amy Rainey | |
| 2005 | Assault on Precinct 13 Assault on Precinct 13 (2005 film) Assault on Precinct 13 is a 2005 action thriller film directed by Jean-François Richet, starring Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne. The cast also includes John Leguizamo, Maria Bello, Ja Rule and Drea de Matteo... |
Alex Sabian | |
| 2005 | Edie Stall | Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Performance Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress The Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress is an annual award given by the Chicago Film Critics Association.-1980s:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:-References:... Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress The Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress is an award given by the Kansas City Film Critics Circle to honor the best achievements in acting.-1960s:-1970s:-1980s:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:-References:*... New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress The New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress is an award given by the New York Film Critics Circle, honoring the finest achievements in filmmaking.... Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress The Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress is an annual film award given by the Online Film Critics Society to honor the best supporting actress of the year.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... Village Voice Film Poll - Best Supporting Performance Village Voice Film Poll The Village Voice Film Poll is an annual polling by The Village Voice film section of more than 100 major film critics for alternative media sources. Although the majority of the critics work for the alt-weeklies, a number are former Voice critics who now work for the mainstream media or have... Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama Nominated — London Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress London Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress The London Film Critics Circle Award for Actress of the Year in an annual award given by the London Film Critics Circle.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture The Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture is one of the Satellite Awards presented annually by the International Press Academy.- 1990s :Best Supporting Actress – Drama*1996: Courtney Love - The People vs... |
|
| 2005 | Adele | ||
| 2006 | Thank You for Smoking | Polly Bailey | |
| 2006 | Marcia Prior Glass | Dixie Film Festival Prize for Outstanding Actress in a Film | |
| 2006 | Flicka | Nell McLaughlin | |
| 2006 | World Trade Center World Trade Center (film) World Trade Center is a 2006 American disaster-drama film directed by Oliver Stone and based on the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. It stars Nicolas Cage, Maria Bello, Michael Peña, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon. The film was shot from October 19, 2005 - February 10, 2006... |
Donna McLoughlin | |
| 2007 | Jocelyn | ||
| 2007 | Towelhead Towelhead (film) Towelhead is a 2007 black comedy film written and directed by Alan Ball and based on Alicia Erian's novel of the same name. The film made its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 8, 2007 under the name Nothing is Private... |
Gail | |
| 2007 | Butterfly on a Wheel Butterfly on a Wheel Butterfly on a Wheel is a 2007 Canadian thriller film directed by Mike Barker, co-produced and written by William Morrissey, and starring Pierce Brosnan, Gerard Butler, and Maria Bello... |
Abby Warner | aka Shattered |
| 2008 | Downloading Nancy Downloading Nancy Downloading Nancy is a 2008 drama film directed by Johan Renck, starring Maria Bello and Jason Patric. The film premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where it was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize.-Plot:From the press release:... |
Nancy | Nominated – Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Female |
| 2008 | May | ||
| 2008 | Evelyn Carnahan-O'Connell | ||
| 2009 | Suky | ||
| 2010 | Sally Wilcox | ||
| 2010 | Grown Ups Grown Ups (2010 film) Grown Ups is a 2010 American buddy-comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider. Sandler and Fred Wolf wrote the script. The film was produced by Sandler's production company Happy Madison and was distributed by Columbia... |
Sally Lamonsoff | |
| 2010 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced... |
Vivian Arliss | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Beautiful Boy Beautiful Boy (film) -Plot:Bill and Kate are a married couple who are tightly wound and devoted to their work -- Bill is a businessman, Kate proofreads books... |
Kate Carroll | |
| 2011 | Abduction Abduction (2011 film) Abduction is an American action thriller film, directed by John Singleton, starring Taylor Lautner, Lily Collins, Sigourney Weaver, Maria Bello, Jason Isaacs, Michael Nyqvist, and Alfred Molina. The film is about a teenager who finds out that his parents are not really his when he sees his baby... |
Mara | |
| 2011 | Carjacked | Lorraine | |
| 2011 | Prime Suspect Prime Suspect (U.S. TV series) Prime Suspect is an American police procedural television drama series that premiered on NBC on September 22, 2011. It stars Maria Bello as Detective Jane Timoney. The series is a "re-imagining" of the British series by the same name. The series was created by Lynda La Plante and was redeveloped by... |
Jane Timoney |