Andrea Donna de Matteo, affectionately known as Drea, was born on January 19, 1972, in Queens, New York, to an affluent family, as the youngest of three children and the only girl. Her parents, Donna, a playwright and playwriting teacher at HB Studio, and Albert A. De Matteo, a furniture manufacturer, instilled in her a sense of creativity and artistic expression.
Growing up in Queens, Andrea spent her early childhood surrounded by the vibrant energy of the city, before the family relocated to the Upper East Side of Manhattan, into the former townhouse of legendary singer Aretha Franklin. This move marked a significant turning point in her life, as she was exposed to the world of entertainment at a young age.
Andrea's initial fascination with the stage was sparked by a brief moment on stage during a performance of "Cats" when she was a girl. However, it was her mother's involvement in the entertainment industry that ultimately drew her to pursue a career in directing at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Although she initially planned to focus on directing, Andrea soon discovered her true passion lay in acting.
After making her screen debut in an independent film and a small role in a low-budget movie, Meet Prince Charming (1999),Andrea auditioned for a one-episode part in the HBO series The Sopranos (1999). Her impressive performance as Adriana La Cerva, the girlfriend of Christopher Moltisanti, caught the attention of the producers, who expanded her role and eventually made her a regular cast member.
Andrea's portrayal of Adriana earned her an Emmy award in 2004, solidifying her reputation as a talented and versatile actress. Her performance was praised for its complexity, humor, and tragedy, making her character a fan favorite.
Although her role on The Sopranos came to an end in 2004, Andrea continued to pursue her acting career, landing a leading role in Joey (2004),a spin-off of the popular NBC sitcom Friends (1994). She has since appeared in several films, showcasing her impressive range and skill, including her award-winning lead performance in Abel Ferrara's'R Xmas (2001) and her supporting role in Prey for Rock & Roll (2003).
Despite her tough exterior and strong language, Andrea describes herself as shy and introverted, yet she is also a wild and free-spirited party-girl who owns a rock and roll vintage clothing store in the East Village called "Filth Mart". She has said that she considers actor Vince Vaughn to be like a brother to her, and is considering re-opening her store in the Los Angeles area.
