Drea de Matteo's Life and Career: From The Sopranos to Recent Roles

The Life and Career of Emmy Winner Drea de Matteo

Drea de Matteo is an American actress best known for her iconic role as Adriana La Cerva on the hit HBO drama series The Sopranos. With her thick New York accent, feisty attitude, and tumultuous relationship with Christopher Moltisanti, Adriana became one of the most beloved characters on the show. Drea's emotional performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2004. But behind Drea's on-screen persona lies an extensive career spanning over 30 years in the entertainment industry.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Andrea Donna de Matteo was born in Queens, New York on January 19, 1972. The daughter of an Italian American father and an Irish American mother, Drea grew up in a working class neighborhood surrounded by diverse cultures and personalities that would later inspire many of her characters. At a young age, Drea knew she wanted to be an actress and would put on plays with her sisters in their basement. After graduating from Loyola School in Manhattan, Drea studied at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, honing her natural talents.

Drea got her big break in television in 1995, landing the role of Gina Tribbiani, Joey's wild younger sister, on the iconic sitcom Friends. She brought her distinct New York attitude to the part, appearing in two episodes of the show's second season. That same year, Drea made her film debut opposite Jon Stewart in the dark comedy Mixed Nuts. These small supporting roles were just the beginning of a promising career.

The Sopranos Success

In 1999, Drea reached new heights when she was cast as Adriana La Cerva on The Sopranos. As the longtime girlfriend of aspiring mobster Christopher Moltisanti, Adriana was sassy, stylish, and fiercely loyal. But she often found herself caught between Christopher's dangerous lifestyle and her own hopes of becoming a successful businesswoman. Drea imbued the character with sincerity, inhabiting Adriana so fully that she became one of the most relatable and tragic figures on the critically acclaimed show.

Drea's nuanced performance earned her monumental praise, winning the Primetime Emmy Award in 2004 against stiff competition. She also took home two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2001 and 2007 as part of the star-studded Sopranos cast. Drea became so identified with Adriana that she struggled to find roles outside of the character later on. But there's no denying her talent made Adriana an integral part of TV history.

Life after The Sopranos

Several smaller movie roles followed in the wake of Drea's Sopranos fame, including parts in Deuces Wild, Prey for Rock & Roll, and the Disney film Joey. She also appeared as Angie Bolen, the matriarch of a mysterious new family, in the fourth season of ABC's hit drama Desperate Housewives. In 2008, Drea starred opposite Mark Wahlberg in the heist film The Perfect Storm. She flexed her comedy muscles as well, showing up in shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Drea continues to take on gritty, dramatic roles that allow her to transform into tough New York women. She starred as Frankie, a single mother struggling to survive in 1970s New York, in the acclaimed Netflix miniseries Maid. In 2022, she appeared in the second season of Hulu's crime drama series Reasonable Doubt. Drea also recently starred alongside Kevin Bacon and Machine Gun Kelly in the intense thriller film One Way. She disappears completely into every role, bringing honesty and vulnerability to the screen.

Life Outside Acting

Away from the screen, Drea is a dedicated mother and partner. She has two children - Alabama and Kyle - with ex-boyfriend Shooter Jennings. Drea has also been in a long term relationship with guitarist John Magaro since 2008, keeping her private life out of the spotlight. An avid rock music fan, she frequently attends concerts and music festivals when she's not working. Drea also loves spending time at home in her native New York.

Now in her 50s, Drea continues to shine in both television and film. Her ability to bring depth and humanity to every character she inhabits makes her a true standout. Though forever tied to iconic Sopranos role, Drea de Matteo's talent ensures she will have a long and varied career for years to come.

The Sopranos Legacy Lives On

More than 15 years since The Sopranos finale aired, the hit show remains one of the most groundbreaking series in television history. What began as an intimate look at a New Jersey mafia family grew into a profoundly human exploration of morality, psychology, and the American dream. At the heart of the show's legacy are the incredible ensemble of actors that inhabited each role so fully. And key among them was Drea de Matteo as the fan favorite Adriana La Cerva.

Drea's emotional depth and vulnerability humanized Adriana, making her relatable to women everywhere. Her tragic storyline resonated with audiences, becoming one of the most impactful events of the series. Adriana's demise represented the inescapable danger of tangling with the mafia lifestyle. But it was Drea's raw, earnest performance that made Adriana's fate so devastating. Even now, Adriana remains one of The Sopranos' most unforgettable characters thanks to Drea's talent.

The Sopranos ushered in the modern age of prestige television. Its legacy rests on the stellar writing and visionary direction from creator David Chase. But it was the cast, with talents like Drea de Matteo leading the way, that ultimately brought the show's complex themes to vivid life. Though often typecast afterwards, Drea has proven her ability as a versatile actress time and again. Adriana may be her most iconic role, but it was just the start of an acclaimed career that continues today.

FAQs

What role is Drea de Matteo best known for?

Drea de Matteo is best known for playing the role of Adriana La Cerva on the hit HBO drama series The Sopranos. As the girlfriend of Christopher Moltisanti, Adriana was one of the show's most beloved characters.

What award did Drea de Matteo win for The Sopranos?

In 2004, Drea de Matteo won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Adriana on The Sopranos.

What are some of Drea de Matteo's recent roles?

Some of Drea's more recent roles include playing Angie Bolen on Desperate Housewives, Frankie on the Netflix series Maid, and starring in the film One Way opposite Kevin Bacon and Machine Gun Kelly.

What was Drea de Matteo's breakthrough role?

Drea's first major acting role was playing Joey Tribbiani's wild younger sister Gina on the sitcom Friends in 1995. This helped launch her career.

Is Drea de Matteo married with children?

Drea has two children, Alabama and Kyle, from her previous relationship with Shooter Jennings. She has been in a long term relationship with John Magaro since 2008 but has never been married.