Tea Leoni, born Elizabeth Téa Pantaleoni on February 25, 1966, in New York City, is an American actress known for her work in both film and television. Here's an overview of her career and notable contributions:
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Leoni was born into a family with a rich background; her father, Anthony Pantaleoni, was a corporate lawyer, and her mother, Emily Patterson, was a nutritionist and dietitian. Her ancestry includes Italian, English, Irish, and Polish. She was raised in New York City and attended Brearley School, an all-girls private school, and later Putney School in Vermont. After school, she briefly studied anthropology at Sarah Lawrence College but dropped out to pursue acting.
Rise to Prominence
- Early Roles: Leoni's first major role was in the 1991 television series Flying Blind, where she played Alicia. Her performance caught the attention of critics and audiences alike.
- Film Breakthrough: Her breakthrough came with the 1995 film Bad Boys, where she played opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. This action-comedy was a commercial success, cementing her status in Hollywood.
Notable Works
- Film:
- Deep Impact (1998) - A disaster film where she played a journalist.
- Jurassic Park III (2001) - She took on the role of Amanda Kirby in this popular franchise.
- Spanglish (2004) - A comedy-drama where she played Deborah Clasky.
- Television:
- Madam Secretary (2014-2019) - Her role as Elizabeth McCord, the U.S. Secretary of State, was critically acclaimed and brought her widespread recognition.
Personal Life
Leoni has been married twice:
- To David Duchovny, with whom she has two children. They separated in 2008 but reconciled briefly before finalizing their divorce in 2014.
- She was also briefly married to Neil Murray in 1986, but the marriage was annulled shortly after.
Awards and Recognition
While not an extensive recipient of awards, Leoni's work has been recognized:
Sources
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