Cathy Moriarty, a talented character actress born in the Bronx, was only 18 years old when her life took an unexpected turn. Fresh out of high school, she had no idea that her future was about to unfold in a way that would change her life forever.
It all began when Joe Pesci discovered her while she was competing in a bathing-beauty contest at a local bar. He was so impressed with her talent that he invited her to audition for the role of Vikki LaMotta, the second wife of champion boxer Jake LaMotta, in Martin Scorsese's iconic black and white film, Raging Bull (1980).
Moriarty's outstanding performance in the film earned her an Academy Award nomination, but her success was short-lived. After appearing in the mediocre comedy, Neighbors (1981),she was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident that left her sidelined for six years.
During her hiatus, Moriarty struggled to find a role that would bring her back to the spotlight. However, her fortunes changed when she landed the role of Montana Moorehead, a deliciously evil character, in the soap opera-parody, Soapdish (1991). This marked a turning point in her career, as she went on to play a variety of strong women in numerous films and television shows.
Interestingly, Moriarty's presence seemed to bring a sense of invigoration to every role she took on, and it appeared as though each character was specifically written with her in mind. Despite the ups and downs she faced in her early career, Moriarty's talent and perseverance ultimately led her to become a beloved and respected figure in the entertainment industry.
