Maria Bello is a renowned American actress and film producer known for her versatile roles in both television and film. With a career spanning over three decades, Bello has captivated audiences with her powerful performances and dedication to her craft.
This blog post delves into her early life, personal relationships, rise to stardom, career highlights, and more.
Early Life and Upbringing
Maria Elena Bello was born on April 18, 1967, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. She grew up in a working-class, Catholic family with her parents, Kathy, a school nurse and teacher, and Joe Bello, a contractor. Bello’s father is of Italian descent, while her mother is of Polish descent.
She attended Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor, Pennsylvania, and later majored in political science at Villanova University1. After graduation, Bello moved to New York to pursue her passion for acting, honing her skills in various theater productions.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maria Elena Bello |
| Nickname | Maria |
| Alternative Names(s) | Maria Bello |
| Date of Birth | April 18, 1967 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 57 years |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Hometown | Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Current Address | N/A |
| Education Qualification | Political Science, Villanova University |
| Hobbies and Interests | Acting, Producing, Women’s Stories |
| Languages Known | English |
| Social Media Profiles link | Facebook , Instagram, Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 32-24-32 inches |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5’5″, 165 cm |
| Weight in lbs, kg | 121 lbs, 55 kg |
| Chest | 32 inches |
| Waist | 24 inches |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Hazel |
| Hair Colour | Light Brown |
| Hairstyle | Shoulder-length, straight |
| Distinctive Features | Radiant face, petite frame |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Maria Bello’s personal life has been as dynamic as her career. She has one son, Jackson Blue McDermott, with her former boyfriend, Dan McDermott. In 2013, Bello publicly revealed her same-sex relationship with Clare Munn1. In December 2019, she announced her engagement to chef Dominique Crenn.
Bello’s openness about her relationships has made her a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Husband | Dominique Crenn |
| Father | Joe Bello |
| Mother | Kathy Bello |
| Children | Jackson Blue McDermott |
| Siblings | Lisa Bello,Joseph Bello |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Dan McDermott |
| Significant Relationships | Clare Munn, Dominique Crenn |
Rise to Stardom
Bello’s breakthrough came with her role as Dr. Anna Del Amico on the medical drama “ER” (1997-1998). She made her film debut in “Permanent Midnight” (1998) and gained widespread recognition with her performance in “Coyote Ugly” (2000).
Bello continued to impress audiences with her roles in “The Cooler” (2003) and “A History of Violence” (2005), both of which earned her Golden Globe nominations.
Maria Bello – Selfie
Maria Bello – Debut Film – Permanent Midnight
Maria Bello – Successful Film – The Cooler
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Maria Bello’s career is marked by numerous accolades and achievements. She has received critical acclaim for her performances in both film and television. Some of her notable awards and nominations include:
- Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for “Beef” (2023).
- Golden Globe Nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for “A History of Violence” (2006).
- Primetime Emmy Nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for “Beef” (2023).
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress, Producer |
| Debut Film | Permanent Midnight |
| Notable Roles | Coyote Ugly, The Cooler, A History of Violence |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Beef, The Woman King |
| Upcoming Films | N/A |
| Popular Television Series | ER, NCIS, Prime Suspect |
| Awards and Achievements | Critics’ Choice Award, Primetime Emmy Nominee, Golden Globe Nominee |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | N/A |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Save the Children, We Advance, Darfur Women’s Action Group |
| Professional Associations | We Advance |
| Training and Education | Political Science, Villanova University |
| Production Company | Jack Blue Productions |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Coyote Ugly, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Grown Ups |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | A History of Violence, The Cooler, Prisoners |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $12 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Sponsorship Deals | Maria Fassi signs multi-year sponsorship deal |
| Business Ventures | Blue Zephyr Productions, Fat Bello Burger, Pure Wonderbello Vodka |
| Investments | Stock investments, Property holdings |
| Real Estate Holdings | Canvas |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Jewelry collection, Perfume line |
| Cars Collection | Tesla |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Jonathan Bailey |
| Favorite Actress | N/A |
| Favorite Film | A History of Violence |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Pilates |
| Favorite Books | Fire by Anaïs Nin, Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen, Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Darkness Visible by William Styron |
| Favorite Colour | White |
| Favorite Food | Vegetables |
| Things s/he like | Acting, Producing, Women’s Stories |
| Things s/he dislike | N/A |
Top 5 Best Films – Maria Bello
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Coyote Ugly | 2000 | Lil |
| The Cooler | 2003 | Natalie Belisario |
| A History of Violence | 2005 | Edie Stall |
| The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor | 2008 | Evelyn O’Connell |
| Prisoners | 2013 | Grace Dover |
Controversies – Maria Bello
- Departure from “NCIS” after three seasons.
- Public revelation of her same-sex relationship.
- Engagement to Dominique Crenn.
- Advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
- Confession about almost turning down the role in “NCIS”.
Interesting Facts – Maria Bello
- Co-founder of the charitable organization “We Advance,” focusing on empowering women in Haiti.
- Named one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in 2010.
- Honored for her advocacy work in Haiti.
- Known for her activism in women’s rights and human rights.
- Published a book titled “Whatever…Love Is Love: Questioning the Labels We Give Ourselves”.
- Board member of Darfur Women Action Group.
Maria Bello’s journey in Hollywood is a testament to her talent, resilience, and dedication. From her early days in theater to her acclaimed performances on screen, Bello continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
