• She is of Italian descent

• Listed as one of twelve “Promising New Actors of 1991″ in John Willis’ Screen World, Vol. 43.

• Attended Boston University.

• Older sister of actor Adam Tomei.

• Attended Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, New York. Her brother, Adam Tomei, and Darren Aronofsky also attended this high school.

• Has a tattoo of the Egyptian Eye of Ra (protection, good luck abundance) on her right foot.

• In 2003, she played the title role in a revival of Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” in an Actors Studio production, directed by Estelle Parsons, on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre; co-stars included Al Pacino, Dianne Wiest, and David Strathairn.

• Before the 1993 Oscar ceremony, she told “Entertainment Tonight” (1981) that her biggest fear was that she would trip on the steps on her way to the stage. She did.

• Has dual citizenship between America and Italy. She sometimes travels under her Italian passport.

• Her mother was an English teacher at Cavallaro Junior High School in Brooklyn, New York.

• Auditioned for the role of “Dorothy Boyd” in Jerry Maguire (1996).

• Has never starred in a sequel or a prequel to a film.

• One of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People 2009.