Home › With Top Designers

Drea De Matteo: A Renowned Actress With A Stellar Career

williamfaulkner December 05, 2024

Drea De Matteo: A Renowned Actress With A Stellar Career

Who is Drea de Matteo?

Drea de Matteo is an American actress best known for her roles as Adriana La Cerva in the HBO series The Sopranos and Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina in the NBC sitcom Joey.

De Matteo was born in Queens, New York, on January 19, 1972. She began her acting career in the early 1990s, appearing in small roles in films such as The Freshman (1990) and Mighty Aphrodite (1995). In 1999, she landed her breakout role as Adriana La Cerva in The Sopranos. De Matteo played Adriana for six seasons, earning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2004.

After The Sopranos ended in 2007, De Matteo went on to star in a number of other television shows, including Joey, Desperate Housewives, and Sons of Anarchy. She has also appeared in films such as 21 Grams (2003), Transamerica (2005), and The Iceman (2012).

De Matteo is a talented actress who has appeared in a wide range of roles. She is best known for her work in television, but she has also had success in film. De Matteo is a versatile actress who is able to play both comedic and dramatic roles with equal ease.

Name	Drea de Matteo
Date of Birth	January 19, 1972
Place of Birth	Queens, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Known For	The Sopranos, Joey, Desperate Housewives, Sons of Anarchy

Main article topics:

Drea de Matteo's early life and career
Drea de Matteo's role in The Sopranos
Drea de Matteo's other television and film roles
Drea de Matteo's personal life

Drea de Matteo

Drea de Matteo is an American actress best known for her roles as Adriana La Cerva in the HBO series The Sopranos and Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina in the NBC sitcom Joey.

Actress
Emmy Award winner
The Sopranos
Joey
Desperate Housewives
Sons of Anarchy
Queens, New York
January 19, 1972

Drea de Matteo is a talented actress who has appeared in a wide range of roles. She is best known for her work in television, but she has also had success in film. De Matteo is a versatile actress who is able to play both comedic and dramatic roles with equal ease.

Some of her most notable roles include Adriana La Cerva in The Sopranos, Gina Tribbiani in Joey, Angie Bolen in Desperate Housewives, and Wendy Case in Sons of Anarchy. De Matteo has also appeared in films such as 21 Grams, Transamerica, and The Iceman.

De Matteo has won numerous awards for her work, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in The Sopranos. She has also been nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

De Matteo is a talented actress who has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. She is a role model for many young actors and actresses, and her work has inspired and entertained millions of people around the world.

1. Actress

Drea de Matteo is an actress, which means she is a person who performs in plays, films, or television shows. She uses her voice, body, and emotions to bring characters to life and tell stories. Drea de Matteo is a talented actress who has appeared in a wide range of roles, from the dramatic to the comedic. She is best known for her roles as Adriana La Cerva in the HBO series The Sopranos and Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina in the NBC sitcom Joey.

Range of Roles
Drea de Matteo has played a wide range of roles throughout her career. She has played both leading and supporting roles, and she has appeared in both dramatic and comedic productions. This range of roles demonstrates her versatility as an actress and her ability to connect with a variety of audiences.
Method Acting
Drea de Matteo is known for her use of method acting, which is a technique that involves the actor immersing themselves in the character they are playing. This technique allows her to create more realistic and believable performances. For example, in her role as Adriana La Cerva in The Sopranos, de Matteo spent time with real-life mob wives to get a better understanding of the character.
Awards and Recognition
Drea de Matteo has been recognized for her work with numerous awards and nominations. She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in The Sopranos, and she has also been nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. These awards and nominations are a testament to her talent and dedication to her craft.
Cultural Impact
Drea de Matteo's work has had a significant cultural impact. Her roles in The Sopranos and Joey have made her a household name, and she has inspired many young actors and actresses. Her work has also helped to raise awareness of important social issues, such as domestic violence and addiction.

Drea de Matteo is a talented actress who has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. She is a role model for many young actors and actresses, and her work has inspired and entertained millions of people around the world.

2. Emmy Award winner

Drea de Matteo is an Emmy Award-winning actress, having won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Adriana La Cerva in the HBO series The Sopranos. This award is a significant achievement in her career and is a testament to her talent and dedication to her craft.

The Emmy Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in the entertainment industry, and winning an Emmy is a major accomplishment for any actor or actress. It is a recognition of their talent and hard work, and it can open up new opportunities for them in their career.

For Drea de Matteo, winning an Emmy Award has had a significant impact on her career. It has raised her profile in the industry and has led to her being offered more high-profile roles. She has also been able to use her platform to speak out about important social issues, such as domestic violence and addiction.

Drea de Matteo is a talented actress who has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. Her Emmy Award win is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and it is an inspiration to other actors and actresses who are striving to achieve success in the industry.

3. The Sopranos

The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase that originally aired on HBO from 1999 to 2007. The series revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American Mafia crime family of Tony Soprano and the difficulties faced by Tony as he tries to balance his family life with his criminal career.

Drea de Matteo played the role of Adriana La Cerva, the long-time girlfriend and later fiance of Christopher Moltisanti, Tony's nephew. Adriana was a complex and tragic character, who struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues. De Matteo's performance was praised by critics, and she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in 2004.

Adriana's Relationship with Christopher
Adriana and Christopher had a tumultuous relationship, marked by both love and violence. Christopher was often abusive towards Adriana, both physically and emotionally. However, Adriana was also deeply in love with Christopher, and she often forgave him for his transgressions.
Adriana's Drug Addiction
Adriana struggled with drug addiction for much of her life. She first started using drugs as a teenager, and she continued to use them throughout her relationship with Christopher. Adriana's drug addiction eventually led to her downfall, as she became increasingly paranoid and unstable.
Adriana's Mental Health Issues
Adriana also struggled with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. These issues were exacerbated by her drug addiction, and they eventually led to her suicide.
Adriana's Death
Adriana was killed by Silvio Dante on Tony's orders in the penultimate episode of the series. Her death was a major turning point in the series, and it had a profound impact on Christopher and Tony.

Drea de Matteo's portrayal of Adriana La Cerva was one of the most memorable and tragic characters in The Sopranos. Her performance earned her critical acclaim and an Emmy Award, and it helped to make the series one of the most successful and influential television shows of all time.

4. Joey

Joey is an American sitcom created by Scott Silveri that aired on NBC from 2004 to 2006. It is a spin-off of the popular sitcom Friends, and it follows the character Joey Tribbiani, played by Matt LeBlanc, after he moves to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

Drea de Matteo played the role of Gina Tribbiani, Joey's sister, in Joey. Gina is a single mother who works as a hairdresser. She is a close friend and confidante to Joey, and she often helps him navigate the ups and downs of his acting career and personal life.

The connection between Joey and Drea de Matteo is significant because it gave de Matteo the opportunity to play a major role in a successful sitcom. Joey was a popular show, and it helped to raise de Matteo's profile in the entertainment industry. It also allowed her to showcase her comedic talents, and she received critical acclaim for her performance as Gina.

In addition, de Matteo's role in Joey helped to break down stereotypes about Italian-American women. Gina is a strong, independent, and successful woman, and she is not afraid to speak her mind. She is a positive role model for young women, and she helped to change the way that Italian-American women are portrayed in the media.

Overall, the connection between Joey and Drea de Matteo is a positive one. It helped to raise de Matteo's profile in the entertainment industry, and it allowed her to showcase her comedic talents. It also helped to break down stereotypes about Italian-American women.

5. Desperate Housewives

Desperate Housewives is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on ABC from 2004 to 2012. The series follows the lives of four housewives living in the fictional town of Fairview, Eagle County, and the narrator is Mary Alice Young, who after her suicide in the pilot episode, watches over her friends and family from beyond the grave.

Cast and Characters
Drea de Matteo played the role of Angie Bolen in Desperate Housewives. Angie is a single mother who moves to Fairview with her two children after her husband is deployed to Iraq. She is a strong and independent woman, but she also has a vulnerable side. Angie is a close friend to the other housewives, and she often helps them through their problems.
Storylines
Angie's storylines in Desperate Housewives often focused on her relationships with her children and her friends. She also struggled with her husband's deployment and his eventual death. However, Angie was always able to overcome her challenges with the help of her friends and family.
Themes
Desperate Housewives explored a number of themes, including friendship, love, loss, and family. Angie's storylines often touched on these themes, and she was a relatable character for many viewers.
Cultural Impact
Desperate Housewives was a popular and successful television series, and it had a significant cultural impact. The show helped to break down stereotypes about housewives and it showed that women can be strong, independent, and successful. Angie was a positive role model for many women, and she helped to change the way that housewives are perceived in the media.

Overall, the connection between Desperate Housewives and Drea de Matteo is a positive one. De Matteo played a significant role in the series, and her character was a relatable and inspiring figure for many viewers. Desperate Housewives helped to raise de Matteo's profile in the entertainment industry, and it allowed her to showcase her dramatic and comedic talents.

6. Sons of Anarchy

Sons of Anarchy is an American crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter that aired on FX from 2008 to 2014. The series follows the lives of the members of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO), a fictional outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, California. Drea de Matteo played the role of Wendy Case, a former prostitute and recovering drug addict who becomes the wife of Jax Teller, the club's president.

Wendy's Relationship with Jax
Wendy and Jax have a complex and tumultuous relationship. They first meet when Jax is a teenager and Wendy is a prostitute. They begin a relationship, but it is quickly derailed by Jax's drug addiction and his involvement with SAMCRO. However, they eventually rekindle their relationship and marry.
Wendy's Struggles with Addiction
Wendy is a recovering drug addict. She has been clean for several years, but she often struggles with her addiction. She is constantly tempted to relapse, and she often puts herself in situations that could trigger her addiction.
Wendy's Role in SAMCRO
Wendy is not a member of SAMCRO, but she is closely associated with the club. She is often present at the club's meetings and events, and she provides support to Jax and the other members. She is also a confidante to Jax, and she often provides him with advice and support.
Wendy's Death
Wendy is killed in the penultimate episode of the series. She is shot and killed by August Marks, a rival gang leader. Her death is a major turning point in the series, and it has a profound impact on Jax and the other members of SAMCRO.

Drea de Matteo's portrayal of Wendy Case was one of the most memorable and tragic characters in Sons of Anarchy. Her performance earned her critical acclaim, and it helped to make the series one of the most successful and influential television shows of all time.

7. Queens, New York

Drea de Matteo was born and raised in Queens, New York. She is the daughter of Donna De Matteo, a talent manager, and Albert De Matteo, an interior designer. Drea de Matteo has two older brothers, Michael and Albert Jr.

Growing up in Queens, Drea de Matteo was surrounded by a diverse community of people from all walks of life. This exposure to different cultures and perspectives helped to shape her into the actress she is today. Drea de Matteo has said that her upbringing in Queens gave her a strong work ethic and a sense of independence.

Drea de Matteo's connection to Queens is also evident in her work as an actress. She has often played characters who are from Queens, such as Adriana La Cerva in The Sopranos and Angie Bolen in Desperate Housewives. Drea de Matteo has also been involved in several projects that have benefited the Queens community, such as the Queensboro Bridge Park Alliance and the Queens Theatre.

Overall, the connection between Drea de Matteo and Queens, New York is a positive one. Drea de Matteo is a proud Queens native, and she has used her platform as an actress to give back to the community.

8. January 19, 1972

January 19, 1972, is a significant date in the life of Drea de Matteo because it is her birthday. Drea de Matteo is an American actress best known for her roles as Adriana La Cerva in the HBO series The Sopranos and Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina in the NBC sitcom Joey.

Drea de Matteo was born in Queens, New York, on January 19, 1972. She is the daughter of Donna De Matteo, a talent manager, and Albert De Matteo, an interior designer. Drea de Matteo has two older brothers, Michael and Albert Jr.

Drea de Matteo began her acting career in the early 1990s, appearing in small roles in films such as The Freshman (1990) and Mighty Aphrodite (1995). In 1999, she landed her breakout role as Adriana La Cerva in The Sopranos. De Matteo played Adriana for six seasons, earning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2004.

Since then, Drea de Matteo has appeared in a number of other television shows and films, including Joey, Desperate Housewives, and Sons of Anarchy. She has also appeared in films such as 21 Grams (2003), Transamerica (2005), and The Iceman (2012).

Drea de Matteo is a talented actress who has appeared in a wide range of roles. She is best known for her work in television, but she has also had success in film. De Matteo is a versatile actress who is able to play both comedic and dramatic roles with equal ease.

Frequently Asked Questions about Drea de Matteo

Drea de Matteo is an American actress best known for her roles as Adriana La Cerva in the HBO series The Sopranos and Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina in the NBC sitcom Joey. She is a talented actress who has appeared in a wide range of roles, from the dramatic to the comedic.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Drea de Matteo:

Question 1: What is Drea de Matteo's age?

Answer: Drea de Matteo was born on January 19, 1972, making her 51 years old.

Question 2: Where was Drea de Matteo born?

Answer: Drea de Matteo was born in Queens, New York, USA.

Question 3: What is Drea de Matteo's most famous role?

Answer: Drea de Matteo is best known for her role as Adriana La Cerva in the HBO series The Sopranos.

Question 4: What awards has Drea de Matteo won?

Answer: Drea de Matteo has won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in The Sopranos.

Question 5: What other TV shows and movies has Drea de Matteo appeared in?

Answer: Drea de Matteo has appeared in a number of other TV shows and movies, including Joey, Desperate Housewives, Sons of Anarchy, 21 Grams, Transamerica, and The Iceman.

Summary: Drea de Matteo is a talented actress who has appeared in a wide range of roles. She is best known for her work in television, but she has also had success in film. De Matteo is a versatile actress who is able to play both comedic and dramatic roles with equal ease.

Transition to the next article section: Drea de Matteo is a role model for many young actors and actresses. Her work has inspired and entertained millions of people around the world.

Conclusion

Drea de Matteo is a talented and versatile actress who has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. She is best known for her roles as Adriana La Cerva in the HBO series The Sopranos and Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina in the NBC sitcom Joey. De Matteo has also appeared in a number of other television shows and films, including Desperate Housewives, Sons of Anarchy, 21 Grams, Transamerica, and The Iceman.

De Matteo's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in The Sopranos. She is a role model for many young actors and actresses, and her work has inspired and entertained millions of people around the world.

Article Recommendations