Cathy Moriarty
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
While still in her teens, Cathy Moriarty landed the star-making role of Vicki La Motta, wife of the prizefighting champ in Martin Scorsese's classic "Raging Bull" (1980). The tall, blonde, husky-voiced Bronx native earned a richly deserved Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination and seemed poised for a promising career. Moriarty followed "Raging Bull" with a fine turn in the black comedy "Neighbors" (1981) but then was off-screen for nearly six years after a bad car accident. Her comeback vehicle was the thriller "White of the Eye" (1987), followed four years later by "Soapdish" (1991). While that performance followed by her stellar work as Armand Assante's lover in "The Mambo Kings" (1992) revitalized her career, she was mostly relegated to supporting parts like the hooker Reba in "The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag" and John Goodman's actress girlfriend in "Matinee" (both 1992). Moriarty also excelled at playing over-the-top comic villains, as she demonstrated with her nasty heiress in "Casper" (1995) and her homophobic camp counselor attempting to rehabilitate gay and lesbian youth in "But I'm a Cheerleader" (2000). Occasionally, a director would break the mold, as James Mangold did in casting her as Harvey Keitel's wife in "Cop Land" (1997). Moriarty continued to specialize in over-the-top villainesses but also appeared in the occasional serious supporting turn. She was reunited with her "Raging Bull" co-star De Niro in the comedy "Analyze That" (2002).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1977
Began acting in dinner theaters
1978
Auditioned for Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro; eventually given screen test for role in "Raging Bull"
1980
Film acting debut, played Vicki La Motta in "Raging Bull"; received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination
1981
Last film for six years, "Neighbors"
1982
Was in a car crash which required major back surgery
1987
Resumed film career in "White of an Eye"
1989
TV debut in "The Reunion" episode of CBS' "Wiseguy"
1991
Delivered deliciously comic turn as the scheming Montana Morehead in the comedy "Soapdish"
1992
Portrayed Armand Assante's lover in "The Mambo Kings"
1993
Played the missing witness sought by undervcover cops in "Another Stakeout"
1995
Cast as series regular on CBS sitcom, "Bless This House"
1995
Had villainous role in the hit film "Casper"
1996
Had small role as the mother of the lead characters in "A Brother's Kiss"
1997
Appeared as Alyssa Milano's mom in "Hugo Pool"; screened at Sundance Film Festival; aired on The Movie Channel
1997
Cast as Harvey Keitel's wife in "Cop Land"
1998
Played an aunt to the witch Wendy in the direct-to-video "Casper Meets Wendy"
1999
Co-starred as the homophobic director of a camp to rehabilitate gay and lesbian teens in "But I'm a Cheerleader"; premiered at Toronto Film Festival; released theatrically in 2000
1999
Portrayed Melanie Griffith's sister-in-law in "Crazy in Alabama"
1999
Had small role as a madam in "Gloria", starring Gena Rowlands
2000
Reunited with Keitel in "The Prince of Central Park"
2000
Voiced Ruby in the direct-to-video animated feature "Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure"
2002
Reunited with De Niro in "Analyze That"
Videos
Trailer
Family
Companions
