TÉA LEONI (Gwen) is an actress of extraordinary versatility and charm, who has portrayed an impressive list of characters on the screen.
Leoni most recently starred in the IFC film “You Kill Me,” opposite Ben Kingsley and Luke Wilson. Leoni was also an executive producer on the film, a mob comedy in which Kingsley played an alcoholic hitman who moves to San Francisco to become sober by attending AA meetings, getting a sponsor and landing a job in a mortuary, where he meets and falls in love with Leoni’s character. The film was screened at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival.
In 2005, Leoni starred opposite Jim Carrey in “Fun with Dick and Jane,” a comedy about a husband and wife who turn to robbery as a last resort to pay their bills. Also in 2005, she starred in David Duchovny’s writing and directorial debut, “House of D,” which was released by Lionsgate Films. The film tells a story of a man who discovers who he really is by working through problems stemming from his past.
In 2004, Leoni starred opposite Adam Sandler in the James L. Brooks film “Spanglish,” for Columbia Pictures.
In 2002, Leoni appeared opposite Al Pacino and Kim Basinger in director Dan Algrant’s “People I Know.” She also starred opposite Woody Allen in his film “Hollywood Ending” and, in 2001, Universal’s “Jurassic Park III” opposite Sam Neill, William H. Macy and Alessandro Nivola.
In 2000, Leoni starred opposite Nicolas Cage in Universal’s “The Family Man.” The film tells the story of an investment banker, portrayed by Cage, who has forsaken love for his career. He wakes up one day to find himself living the life he would have enjoyed had he married his college sweetheart, portrayed by Leoni. The film was directed by Brett Ratner.
In 1998, Leoni starred in one of the year’s most successful films, “Deep Impact,” opposite Morgan Freeman and Vanessa Redgrave. The science-fiction drama was directed by Mimi Leder and executive-produced by Steven Spielberg.
Leoni is best known for her critically acclaimed role in the situation comedy “The Naked Truth.” As Nora Wilde, Leoni portrayed a former socialite and photojournalist who is forced to take a job with a tabloid as a paparazzi photographer. “The Naked Truth” aired on NBC during the 1996-1998 television seasons and on ABC in 1995. In 1996, Leoni was also seen in Miramax's comedy “Flirting with Disaster” co-starring opposite Ben Stiller, Patricia Arquette, Mary Tyler Moore and George Segal. Prior to “The Naked Truth,” Leoni was known for her starring role as Alicia, the flamboyant and unpredictable beauty on the Fox comedy series “Flying Blind.” She also starred in “The Counterfeit Contessa,” an original film for Fox Television, in which she co-starred with D.W. Moffett and Holland Taylor.
Born in New York City, Leoni became interested in acting through the influence of her grandmother, a former Broadway actress. Nicknamed Sarah Bernhardt because of her melodramatic tendencies, Leoni didn't pursue her craft immediately. Instead, she studied anthropology and psychology at Sarah Lawrence and then took time off from school to travel, living in Tokyo and Italy and on St. Croix. Upon her return to New York, she went on her first audition.
Competing with thousands of actresses from all over the country, Leoni landed one of the coveted roles in “Angels ‘88,” a “Charlie’s Angels” spinoff. Having relocated to Los Angeles for the series, Leoni began to study her craft. She went on to appear in the feature films “Switch” and “Indian Love Story,” as well as tackling roles in “A League of Their Own,” “Wyatt Earp” and 1995's hit action comedy “Bad Boys.”
Leoni resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two young children.
IN THEATERS September 19, 2008
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