Mira Sorvino

Mira Sorvino is an Oscar-winning actress and humanitarian best known for her role in Mighty Aphrodite. Sorvino is the daughter of actor Paul Sorvino and Lorraine Ruth Davis. She grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, and earned a bachelor’s degree in East Asian studies from Harvard University in 1989 before pursuing acting full-time.

Sorvino began her career with roles on shows including Swans Crossing and The Oldest Rookie before starring in the independent film Amongst Friends (1993). Her breakout came when director Woody Allen cast her in Mighty Aphrodite (1995), in which she played the role of Linda Ash. Her performance in the film won her the Academy Award and Golden Globe for best supporting actress.

Sorvino went on to star in the comedy cult classic Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997), Mimic (1997) and The Replacement Killers (1998). On television, she appeared on Will & Grace, Leningrad and Human Trafficking (2005), the last of which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

Sorvino briefly dated director Quentin Tarantino from 1996 to 1998. She later tied the knot with actor Christopher Backus in 2004, and the couple have welcomed four children.