Who Am I? January 2024
I was born overseas but later became a naturalized American citizen. My mom, Edith, is of Italian and Austrian-Jewish heritage. She worked as both a teacher and as a psychoanalyst. My dad, George, is of Hungarian-Jewish ancestry and his vocation was inventing things like respirators that supply their own O2 and machines that can detect land mines. It was imperative for my parents to leave Europe on the eve of WWII. My mom was aided by an Anglican clergyman and social activist who also worked hard to better the relationship between Christians and Jews.
My parents valued and encouraged my immersion in the arts. They were highly opinionated and I remember many lively family debates in which I was encouraged to participate. Nowadays you might find it hard to believe but I was also quite a tomboy. I loved climbing trees and hated wearing dresses. My hair was usually uncombed.
I can’t say I was a great student. In fact, I will admit to the fact that I didn’t respect authority very much. My education took place at North London Collegiate School, Benenden School and at St Paul’s Girl’s School in London. An English teacher motivated me to turn my life around and, as a result, I earned a place at Cambridge University from which I earned a degree in English at Trinity Hall.
I began a modeling career at age 14. At 18 I was also accepted into one of the U.K.’s most prestigious drama schools. Each year that school only accepts around 28 acting students after a 4- stage audition practice. It was there that I learned my acting craft. I began to get regular professional roles on the “telly” in British detective dramas and TV movies.
Hollywood beckoned and I crossed the pond. I made a few blockbuster movies but my guiding force was always to do unique and interesting work so I have also appeared in indie films. Some of my co-stars over the years have been Mark Ruffalo, Ewan McGregor, Keanu Reeves, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Walken, Adrien Brody, Ben Affleck, Ben Stiller and Morgan Freeman.
One of the movies I made was based on a John le Carre novel. Even though I was murdered early in the movie it earned me an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for “Best Supporting Actor.”
I have also done stage work and have gotten good reviews for parts I have played in works written by Noel Coward and Tennessee Williams. I married another actor, who, for a time, portrayed the screen version of Ian Fleming’s intelligent officer, the one who worked for MI6. As newlyweds in August 2011 we landed at ‘EWR’ together. We’ve also flown to London from there on other occasions. Maybe you’ve seen us there waiting for one of your flights.
I am a heavy metal fan and I speak French. You surely know me by now. That’s me in the photo below.
(1a)Who Am I? (1b)Who was that saintly Anglican clergyman that helped rescue my mom from the clutches of the Nazis? (1c)Who was that English teacher that motivated me to turn my life around? (2a)What was the name of that prestigious dramatic school that accepted me as a student? (2b)Under whose tutelage did I learn there? (3a)With which companies have I had fashion contracts with? (3b)What film earned me all of the accolades mentioned above? (3c)I made a film in Malta which was pretty challenging because in between shooting schedules I was taking care of my young son. What film did I make there and which hotel did I reside in while on that shoot? (4a)What film did I co-star in with my husband?
(4b)What Broadway play did I co-star in with my husband? (5a)I made a film which was an adaptation of a Daphne du Maurier novel set in 19th century Cornwall. What was the name of that film? (5b) Finally, I have a tattoo. What image is on my tattoo and where is it located?
