Put on operas in her backyard when she was a little girl
Once worked as the Sauza Tequila rooster for an event, which required her to wear a rooster costume
Other pre-success jobs included waitress, department-store clerk and milkmaid at an ice-cream shop
Studied acting with the legendary Uta Hagen
Gave up a baby for adoption during her 20s
Years later she hired a private investigator to locate him; they reconnected and have since formed a good relationship
Her 1985 Broadway debut in I'm Not Rappaport came about by chance: the actress originally chosen to play Clara broke her leg, necessitating a last-minute cast substitution
Reported to the Married to the Mob set on its first day with a bad case of poison ivy
Awards
1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:winner
1991Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:winner
1990Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Actress:winner