Who Is That: Toni Collette

Name: Toni Collette
Occupation: Actress
Genre: Film/Stage/Television
Born: November 1, 1972


This stunningly talented and unique actress received rave reviews practically right out of the gate in her career. The Australian-born beauty is a BAFTA, Golden Globe, Emmy, Tony, and Oscar nominee! She has won a slew of Australian and Film Critics awards as well as a SAG award. She most recently starred in a television series for Showtime entitled "The United States of Tara".

Starting out at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Australia, Collette dropped out of the school after 18 months to accept a role in the 1992 film Spotswood alongside Anthony Hopkins and Russell Crowe. Her first film role earned her a nomination as Best Supporting Actress from the Australian Film Institute. Shortly thereafter, Collette made her professional stage debut with the Sydney Theater Company as Sonya in the Chekhov play Uncle Vanya. For this performance, she was awarded a Critic's Circle award for Best Newcomer. She went on to appear in another play under the directorship of Geoffrey Rush.

In 1994, Collette gained 40 pounds in seven weeks for her role as the title character in Muriel's Wedding, for which she was awarded the Australian Film Institute's Best Actress award. Upon transitioning to Hollywood, she continued to win praise for her significant roles in the films Emma, Clockwatchers, The Boys, Velvet Goldmine, and 8 1/2 Women.

Her breakthrough into major stardom came with her memorable, Academy Award nominated performance as Lynn Sear in the M. Night Shyamalan film The Sixth Sense. Collette continued to wow audiences and critics alike with her performances in successful and acclaimed films including Shaft, Changing Lanes, About a Boy, Dirty Deeds, The Hours, In Her Shoes, and The Black Balloon.

In two of my personal favorite films of hers, Collette can be seen giving a hilarious and sincere performance beside Nia Vardalos in the comedy Connie and Carla, and as the cheerful but frustrated mother and wife to Greg Kinnear in the award-winning film Little Miss Sunshine.

In 2000, she was nominated for a Tony award for Best Actress in a Musical for her outstanding performance as Queenie in the Michael John LaChiusa musical The Wild Party. She also is the lead singer of a band called Toni Collette & the Finish who released their first album in 2006 entitled "Beautiful Awkward Pictures".

Toni Collette is a true artist who is constantly trying to stretch and grow beyond what she and others might expect of her. I hope that I and audiences the world over will continue to be captivated by the work of Toni Collette for a long time to come!

Below is a clip from the 2001 Tony Awards in which Collette, Mandy Patinkin, and the legendary Eartha Kitt perform pieces from the Broadway musical The Wild Party.