Born in Brooklyn, NY; educated at Boston University, Boston, MA. Young actress from the New York stage who made her film debut in THE FLAMINGO KID (1984) and played Lisa Bonet's roommate during the first season of the TV series, "A Different World." Tomei put her Brooklyn heritage to good use in her Oscar-winning performance as Joe Pesci's sassy, auto mechanic fiancée in the surprise hit comedy, MY COUSIN VINNY (1992). She also appeared in CHAPLIN (1992), UNTAMED HEART (1993), THE PAPER and ONLY YOU (both 1994), THE PEREZ FAMILY and FOUR ROOMS (both 1995), UNHOOK THE STARS (1996), A BROTHER'S KISS, WELCOME TO SARAJEVO and REFLECTIONS OF EDEN (all 1997), SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS (1998), HAPPY ACCIDENTS, THE WATCHER, DIRK AND BETTY and WHAT WOMEN WANT (all 2000), IN THE BEDROOM, KING OF THE JUNGLE and SOMEONE LIKE YOU (all 2001), JUST A KISS, THE GURU and THE WILD THORNBERRYS MOVIE (voice) (all 2002), ANGER MANAGEMENT (2003), ALFIE (2004), MARILYN HOTCHKISS BALLROOM DANCING & CHARM SCHOOL, LOVERBOY and FACTOTUM (all 2005), DANIKA and "Rescue Me" (TV series) (both 2006), GRACE IS GONE, WILD HOGS and BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD (all 2007), and WAR, INC. and THE NIGHT JOB (both scheduled for release in 2008).  Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 1992: MY COUSIN VINNY  Nominated for Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 2001: IN THE BEDROOM  Nominated for Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 2008: THE WRESTLER 3 nominations, 1 Award