Drea de Matteo planned to become a director when she enrolled at New York University, but by the time she graduated she had switched to acting. After a handful of small gigs, the Italian-American landed her breakthrough role on
The Sopranos, which earned her an Emmy and a lot of magazine photo spreads. In 2004 she left the mob series for a leading part on the sitcom
Joey. While she remains a Big Apple gal at heart, she surprised fans by falling for country musician Shooter Jennings, who proposed to her onstage in Utica, New York. Heritage and onscreen roles have led her to another accented part, living on Wisteria Lane as Angie Bolen in
Desperate Housewives.
Drea de Matteo Fast Facts:
- First name is pronounced "Dray."
- Has numerous tattoos, including a crucifix on her ankle and her mother and father's names on her right arm.
- Appeared in the pilot of The Sopranos as a restaurant hostess; she was later called back to take on the role of Adriana.
- Co-owned a clothing store, Filth Mart, in Manhattan's East Village (opened in 1999 but since closed). She also designs clothing.
- Founded Great Dane Productions with her friend Robin Whitehouse.
- Drea de Matteo Relationships:
- Albert de Matteo - Father
- Darren de Matteo - Brother
- Donna de Matteo - Mother
- Joe de Matteo - Brother
- Shooter Jennings - Fiancé
- Alabama Gypsyrose Jennings - Daughter
- Waylon Albert Jennings - Son
- Drea de Matteo Awards:
- 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Winner
- 2005 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Nominee
- 2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2002 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- College:
- New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, New York, NY (BFA in film production, 1995)