Toni Collette (8968233309).jpg

Toni Collette (born Collett; 1 November 1972) is an Australian actress, singer-songwriter, and producer. Known for her work in television and independent films, she has received various accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and five AACTA Awards, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and two BAFTA Awards.

Collette made her film debut in the 1992 film '' Spotswood''. Her breakthrough role came in the comedy drama ''Muriel's Wedding'' (1994), which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination and won her the AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Collette received further acclaim for her role in the thriller ''The Sixth Sense'' (1999), for which she received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She received BAFTA Award nominations for her performances in the romantic comedy '' About a Boy'' (2002) and the comedy drama '' Little Miss Sunshine'' (2006). Collette's other films include '' Emma'' (1996), ''Velvet Goldmine'' (1998), ''The Hours'' (2002), ''Japanese Story'' (2003), '' In Her Shoes'' (2005), ''Fright Night'' (2011), ''The Way, Way Back'' (2013), ''Krampus'' (2015), '' Hereditary'' (2018), ''Knives Out'' (2019), ''I'm Thinking of Ending Things'' (2020), and '' Nightmare Alley'' (2021).

In television, she starred in the Showtime comedy-drama series ''United States of Tara'' (2008–2011), earning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Other Emmy-nominated roles include the Netflix miniseries '' Unbelievable'' (2019) and the HBO Max miniseries '' The Staircase'' (2022). She made her Broadway debut in '' The Wild Party'' (2000), earning a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Collette married Dave Galafassi, drummer of the band Gelbison, in January 2003. The couple have two children together. As the lead singer of Toni Collette & the Finish, she wrote all 11 tracks of their sole album, ''Beautiful Awkward Pictures'' (2006). The band toured Australia, but have not performed nor released any new material since 2007. Collette and Jen Turner co-founded the film production company Vocab Films in 2017.

Early life

Collette is the eldest of three children; she has two younger brothers. She was raised in the Sydney suburb of Glebe until the age of six, then in Blacktown. Her father, Bob Collett, was a truck driver, and her mother Judy ('' née'' Cook) was a customer-service representative. Collette later learned on an episode of '' Who Do You Think You Are?'' that Bob was possibly born as a result of his mother Norma's (''née'' McWhinney) having an extramarital affair with a US Navy chief petty officer stationed in Australia during and after World War II. Note: previously available in Australia. Norma and her husband (Harold "Stanley" Collett) were going through a divorce, and Bob's DNA test determined that Stanley was not his biological father. Despite a public appeal in August 2015, her biological grandfather's name is not known.

Collette has described her family as " otthe most communicative" but has said that despite her parents' lack of money, they were supportive and made their children feel cared for. She has fond memories of growing up in Blacktown, where she and her mother watched Saturday afternoon movie matinees presented by Bill Collins. She described her younger self as having "crazy" amounts of confidence. When she was 11, she believed she had appendicitis and convinced her doctors: She was taken to an emergency department and had the appendix removed. As a student at Blacktown Girls High School, her favourite activities included netball, tap dancing and swimming, and she took part in local singing competitions. Her ambition was to perform in musicals, as she loved to sing and dance.

Collette's first acting role was a high school performance of ''Godspell'' at the age of 14; she auditioned by singing Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love for You". She decided to become an actor the following year, and was influenced by Geoffrey Rush's stage performance in '' The Diary of a Madman'' (July–August 1989). In 1989, with her parents' approval, she transferred to the Australian Theatre for Young People, later explaining, "I was 16. And it's not like I wasn't good at school, or I didn't enjoy it, I did. I just loved acting more. I don't regret that decision, but I can't believe I made it." The actor returned the extra "e" at the end of her surname which Stanley Collett had removed as it sounded better for a stage name. She started at National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in early 1991, but left after 18 months to appear as Sonya in ''Uncle Vanya'' (August–September 1992), directed by Neil Armfield, alongside Rush in the title role.

Career

1990–1999: Early work and breakthrough

Collette made her television debut in 1988 on a comedy, variety show '' Blah Blah Blah'' as a singer. Her first acting role was in 1990, a guest appearance as Tracy, on the Seven Network drama series '' A Country Practice'' Season 10, Episode 31, "The Sting: Part 1". Her first professional theatre role was as Debbie in ''Operation Holy Mountain'' in May of that year at Q Theatre, Penrith. Frank Barnes of ''Journal of the N.S.W Public School Teachers Federation'' noticed, "Collette ssimply amazing in her professional debut as the girl with cerebral palsy." She joined the Sydney Theatre Company and, from December 1990 to February 1991, appeared in ''A Little Night Music'' at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House. She performed Cordelia in ''King Lear'' (March 1994) and was also in stage productions at the Belvoir Street Theatre, directed by Rush.

In 1992, she made her feature film debut in the ensemble comedy drama '' Spotswood'' (known in the US as ''The Efficiency Expert''), which starred Anthony Hopkins and included a then-newcomer Russell Crowe. Note: this source incorrectly provides Antonia Collette as her alias. To access further information, click on a tab, e.g. Filmography or Awards. She played Wendy, a factory worker who harbours a secret attraction towards fellow worker Carey (Ben Mendelsohn). ''Filmnews'' Peter Galvin observed, "it's here that the film finds real warmth, vigour, and pain, all contained in erexpressive face; she's terrific and so is Mendelsohn simply because we believe them." Andrew Urban of ''Urban Cinephile'' felt that, " hehas a lovely role and does it with minimalist excellence." For the performance, she earned her first AACTA Award nomination, for Best Supporting Actress. Note: from 1958 to 2010 these awards were known as Australian Film Institute Awards or AFI Awards. Between auditions for roles, she worked part-time delivering pizzas and selling jeans.

In 1992, her agent alerted her to a proposed film project with a good role; a year later ''Muriel's Wedding'' (1994) was financed and started casting in June 1993. Although the actor auditioned on the first day, she did not win the role until three months later. In preparation for portraying Muriel, the actor gained in 7 weeks. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing US$15.2 million on a budget of US$9 million. James Berardinelli of ''Reelviews'' called her "vibrant and energetic", while Peter Stack of the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' opined that Collette played the lead role with "disarming earnestness". She received her first Golden Globe Award nomination, for Best Actress and won the AACTA Award for Best Actress. Note: from 1958 to 2010 these awards were known as Australian Film Institute Awards or AFI Awards.

In 1996, she had parts in three critically acclaimed films. In the comedy drama ''Così'', which reunited her with ''Muriel's Wedding'' castmate Rachel Griffiths, she played an actor recovering from drug addiction. David Stratton of ''Variety'' magazine said Collette "avea terrific performance". In the drama ''Lilian's Story'' she played an eccentric woman sent to a mental asylum in her youth. Stratton found her to be "poignant" and took note of her range and depth. She won her second AACTA Award, this time for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Note: from 1958 to 2010 these awards were known as Australian Film Institute Awards or AFI Awards. In the period comedy '' Emma'', an adaptation of Jane Austen's novel of the same name, she played Harriet Smith, a close friend of the titular character. Originally dismissive of Austen's works, she found ''Emma'' to be "warm and witty and clever". Jane Ganahl of ''San Francisco Chronicle'' wrote, " arriet wasplayed with heartbreaking empathy... desperately trying to meet Mr. Right – so awkwardly you fear she'll slip on a banana peel."

She starred alongside Lisa Kudrow, Parker Posey and Alanna Ubach in '' Clockwatchers'' (1997) which depicted the lives of four friends working in an office. Dustin Putman of ''TheFilmFile'' called it a "jewel of a film" and praised the performances of the cast, particularly Collette whom he referred to as "outstanding". For her supporting role as Michelle in '' The Boys'' (1998) she won her third AACTA Award. Note: from 1958 to 2010 these awards were known as Australian Film Institute Awards or AFI Awards. Although ''Velvet Goldmine'' (1998), returned less than half its production budget at the box office, Metacritic reports a 65% score based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". It grew in stature after its release to become a cult film. Collette credited it with revitalising her passion for acting as it had freed her from distress she had been facing. Her next film, ''8½ Women'' (1999) was not as well received: Metacritic gave it a "generally unfavorable" score of 36%.

1999–2004: ''The Sixth Sense'' and Broadway

When Collette received M. Night Shyamalan's script for ''The Sixth Sense'' (1999), she feared it would be a "formulaic Hollywood action drama". However, she was moved by the story and agreed to audition, winning the role over other actors, including Marisa Tomei. She portrayed Lynn Sear, a mother struggling to raise her son Cole (Haley Joel Osment) who communicates with ghosts. Gary Thompson of ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' observed, "the scene in the car when oledivulges his secret is so riveting... and it's so well-acted by Osment and Collette." He added, "she'd become the greatest screen weeper of her generation." ''The Sixth Sense'' grossed US$670 million on a budget of US$40 million and became the second-highest-grossing film of 1999. It gathered six Academy Award nominations including Collette's for Best Supporting Actress. She reflected, "There was some definite feeling we all had that it was going to somehow be special. .. Itdid really well and has been loved by a lot of people."

In 2000 she made her Broadway debut with a leading role in ''The Wild Party'', playing Queenie, a masochistic showgirl who hosts a lavish party with her husband. Originally written for Vanessa Williams, it went to Collette after the former was unavailable. Charles Isherwood felt under-whelmed by the musical and the actor's performance, " ollette'sQueenie is flat and one-dimensional; she doesn't convey the warmth that invites emotional investment." Ben Brantley of ''The New York Times'' differed, "Ms. Collette... gives the evening's most fully realized performance," but criticised the lack of chemistry with Yancey Arias. She was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. Collette turned down the title role in ''Bridget Jones's Diary'' due to her Broadway commitments.

She followed with a supporting role in the action thriller ''Shaft'' (2000). The film received "mixed or average reviews", and grossed US$107.2 million on a budget of US$46 million. Kam Williams of ''African American Literature Book Club'' noticed, "Collette lends the film some convincing and welcome dramatic weight as the frightened, conflicted Diane." However, John Patterson of ''The Guardian'' rated it as a "career low" for her. In 2001 she appeared in the HBO TV movie ''Dinner with Friends'' and played Beth, a middle-aged woman who struggles with her husband leaving her for another woman. Steven Oxman of ''Variety'' said that she was "well suited" to her role, while Bruce Fetts of ''Entertainment Weekly'' praised her "flawless" American accent. The show earned a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.

In 2002 she had a supporting role in ''The Hours'', based on the novel of the same name, playing Kitty, a woman who plans to undergo surgery for her infertility. John Patterson felt she gave an "utterly convincing small-scale emotional meltdown born of suburban sadness and sexual self-repression." The film received positive reviews and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. In ''About a Boy'' (2002) she portrayed a woman with depression who attempts to commit suicide. Daniel Saney of '' Digital Spy'' said that she was "as impressive as ever" while Sheila Johnston of '' Screen Daily'' praised her "powerful presence". She was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and won the Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress for both 2002 performances.

Collette played the lead role in ''Japanese Story'' (2003) as Sandy an Australian geologist who develops an intense relationship with a Japanese businessman. It was screened at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. The performance led to reviewers welcoming her return to lead roles: the first since ''Muriel's Wedding''. John Patterson wrote that she gave a "shattering performance, masterfully controlled and detailed, and all the proof her fans ever needed of her special brilliance." Richard Porton of the '' Chicago Reader'' remarked, " erpitch-perfect performance and the stunning evocation of the forbidding and beautiful outback make this film unexpectedly rewarding." Critics praised her emotional range, with some regarding the performance to be the best of her career. She won her fourth AACTA Award statuette for her portrayal of Sandy Edwards in ''Japanese Story''. Note: from 1958 to 2010 these awards were known as Australian Film Institute Awards or AFI Awards. Her two releases of 2004, ''The Last Shot'' and ''Connie and Carla'', were rated as having "mixed or average reviews" by Metacritic.

2005–2011: Supporting roles and ''United States of Tara''

Collette's only film in 2005, '' In Her Shoes'', was a comedy drama about the relationship between two sisters (Rose and Maggie Feller) and their estranged grandmother, co-starring Cameron Diaz and Shirley MacLaine. Based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Jennifer Weiner, the film received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, and was a moderate independent success, earning US$82.2 million worldwide. She was subsequently nominated for a Satellite Award for Best Actress for her performance of Rose, a successful-but-lonely lawyer with low self-esteem, which Mick LaSalle of the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' noticed, "As usual, erface is a fine-tuned transmitter of her emotions, moment by moment, and she becomes the locus of audience feeling."

In 2006 the artist starred in '' Little Miss Sunshine'', a comedy drama road movie about a family's trip to a children's beauty pageant. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January of that year, and its distribution rights were bought by Fox Searchlight Pictures for one of the biggest deals in the history of the festival. Sharon Waxman of ''The New York Times'' called her "funny and believable", while Stella Papamichael of BBC
...