Drea de Matteo biography

Synopsis

The daughter of a playwright and a furniture manufacturer, Drea de Matteo, born in New York City on January 19, 1972, had only a degree from New York University and a little film experience when she was cast as mob girlfriend Adriana La Cerva on HBO's The Sopranos. After five seasons and one Emmy Award, she left to pursue other roles in films like Swordfish (2001) and Deuces Wild (2002), and on the TV series Joey.

Early Life

Born in New York City's borough of Queens on January 19, 1972, Drea de Matteo is the daughter of a playwright and a furniture manufacturer. She earned a degree in film production at New York University.

 

'The Sopranos'

With only a little film experience under her belt, de Matteo was cast in the pilot for The Sopranos. What was reportedly meant to be a bit part as a restaurant hostess became a crucial supporting role. She played Adriana La Cerva, girlfriend to Christopher Moltisanti, a young member of the Soprano crime family. De Matteo was very convincing as the tough-as-manicured-nails, yet loving Adriana who struggles with her relationship with Christopher and her career endeavors during the course of the series. She won the 2004 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

De Matteo still found time to act on the big screen. In 2001, she appeared in the action thriller Swordfish with Hugh Jackman and John Travolta. The following year, she was part of the ensemble cast of Deuces Wild, a 1950s drama about two rival New York gangs.

Later Film Roles

 

Leaving The Sopranos after the fifth season in 2004, de Matteo tried her hand at lighter fare, co-starring in the NBC comedy Joey—a spin-off of the hit show Friends, featuring Matt LeBlanc. The show lasted for two seasons before being cancelled in 2006.

Other projects include a leading role in the 2005 action film Assault on Precinct 13, the role of Angie Bolen on ABC's Desperate Housewives (2009-10), and the role of Wendy Teller on the TV series Sons of Anarchy (2008-12).