Diane Venora Biography

Fast Facts

• Received a nomination for a Golden Globe for her role in Clint Eastwood's "Charlie Parker, Bird" in addition to winning the New York Film Critics Award
• Was active in musical and plays at her high school, later studying at Boston Conservatory of Music before she received a scholarship to the Julliard School
• Quote: "I love to struggle․․․I think life without pain is no life․ I'd rather be dead than comfortable․"
• Played the lead role in "Hamlet" at the New York Shakespeare Festival, being the first woman to play the role at the festival
• Starred in "Heat" along with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, receiving high praise from critics and audiences
• After quitting show business in 1989 she moved to New York and teaches disadvantaged children, while acting in occasional plays
• Portrayed Juliet's mother in "Romeo + Juliet" along side Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, receiving attention from the directors of "The Jackal" and "The 13th Warrior․"
• After starring in ABC series "Thunder Alley," her role was replaced due to the fact that producers thought she was acting as if she were still on Broadway