Perhaps because this Aussie actress is unafraid to completely transform herself both physically and psychologically for roles, she's too unglamorous to be embraced by the mainstream as a bona fide star. But critics are perennially impressed with her remarkable abilities, even if she's often forced to play second fiddle to lesser actresses. Collette had only a couple of roles under her belt when she gained her breakout role (not to mention 40 pounds) as a quirky introvert in the hit 1994 comedy
Muriel's Wedding. Unfortunately, she was so convincing as a frump that it took years for her to convince the industry that she could play attractive, too. A string of solid supporting performances followed — she was Gwyneth Paltrow's homely friend in
Emma and
the
wallflower in a quartet of temps in the indie
Clockwatchers — until she proved she could be fabulous in an Angela Bowie-type turn as an ugly duckling turned sequin-covered swan in the glam rock drama
Velvet Goldmine. Her powerful performance as a single mom grappling with her son's supernatural abilities in 1999's
Sixth Sense earned her an Oscar nod, and a slew of domestic roles followed: a suicidal mom in
About a Boy, an unhappy housewife with sapphic desires in
The Hours and Cameron Diaz's dumpy sister in
In Her Shoes, a throwback to her roles of old that required her to gain, then lose, a striking amount of weight. But 2006 was a banner year for the versatile player: Not only did Collette earn a pair of Golden Globe nominations for her work as an addled mom in the indie
Little Miss Sunshine and a harried aid worker in the TV-movie
Tsunami: The Aftermath, she also released
Beautiful Awkward Picture, her debut album with her band Toni Collette & the Finish.
Toni Collette Fast Facts:
- Made acting debut at 14 in a school production of Godspell.
- First major professional stage appearance was in the Sydney Theatre Company's production of Uncle Vanya with Geoffrey Rush.
- Gained more than 40 pounds for her breakout role in Muriel's Wedding (1994); later put on 30 pounds for her part in In Her Shoes (2005), which she had to drop during filming to reflect her character's weight loss.
- Made her Broadway debut in the 2000 musical Wild Party and earned a Tony nomination for her work. She reportedly clashed — both verbally and physically — with her costar Mandy Patinkin.
- Is in a rock band with her drummer husband David Galafassi called Toni Collette & the Finish.
- Toni Collette Relationships:
- Bob Collette - Father
- David Galafassi - Husband
- Judy Collette - Mother
- Sage Florence Galafassi - Daughter
- Toni Collette Awards:
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Winner
- 2010 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1996 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2007 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2007 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Nominee
- 1999 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Nominee
- 2000 Tony: Actress (Musical) - Nominee
- 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie - Nominee
- College:
- Attended National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
