Maria Bello was born on 18 April, 1967 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. She went to Villanova University, majoring in political science. She had every intention of becoming a lawyer, but she took an acting class during her senior year, just for fun. She discovered she was very good at it, and she was soon cast in small off-Broadway plays, such as "The Killer Inside Me", "Small Town Gals With Big Problems" and "Urban Planning". She later guest-starred on episodes of "The Commish" (1991), "Nowhere - www.imdb.com

Oscar-, Emmy- and Grammy-winning composer-songwriter Randy Newman, who this year received his 20th Oscar nod, explains why he doesn't like writing. Actress Maria Bello, one of the stars of the new film The Company Men, talks about sexism in business and her ongoing work in Haiti, which pre-dated the 2010 quake. - www.pbs.org

Background: American actress Maria Bello drew the public's attention for her successful performance as cocktail waitress Natalie Belisario in the Vegas romance The Cooler (2003), in which she received a runner-up prize from The National Society of Film Critics. She also gained more notice in Coyote Ugly (2000), playing tough talking, man-teasing bar owner Lil. The character garnered her a Favorite Supporting Actress in a Comedy/Romance at the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. On the small sc - www.celebritybazar.com