Biografía

Before the 1993 Oscar ceremony, she told Entertainment Tonight (1981) that her biggest fear was that she would trip on the steps on her way to the stage. She did.

While portraying roommates on Un mundo diferente (1987), she and co-star Lisa Bonet were roommates in real life.

Holds dual United States and Italian citizenship.

Godmother of Zoë Kravitz, daughter of Marisa's Un mundo diferente (1987) co-star Lisa Bonet.

She is of Italian descent. Her family is from Tuscany, Sicily, Campania, and Calabria.

I don't prefer much of film over stage... The only thing I prefer is the paycheck.

Singing really oxygenates your blood. You stretch your lungs and take in much more air into them than before. It's really good for your health.

I feel like theatre gives me the grounding, and keeps me alive, basically. Film gives me the thrill, and it's like a one night stand. But I do enjoy being around people who love it so much.

[on marriage and starting her own family] I'm not that big a fan of marriage as an institution and I don't know why women need to have children to be seen as complete human beings.

[on her role in El luchador (2008)] What didn't appeal to me was, frankly, New Jersey, naked, winter!