Libby Villari was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she developed a deep connection with the natural world, which has remained a significant influence on her life and career.
At the age of 11, she relocated to Sunland-Tujunga, California, and eventually graduated from Verdugo Hills High School. She then went on to marry, have a son, and become involved in the alternative and natural lifestyle movement, including political activism.
In the 1960s, she and her first husband joined the "back to the land" movement, settling in Fort Worth, Texas, where they sought to own and tend land, and cultivate a communal way of life. Although not all aspects of this experience were successful, it was a formative period in her life, with many memorable stories to share.
Before pursuing a career in show business, Villari returned to school at the age of 27, earning a college scholarship in Speech and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater from North Texas University. She began her acting career at the age of 30, initially focusing on stage performances, which led to her being signed by an agent.
She honed her craft with the legendary Hip Pocket Theater and traveled to the Edinburgh, Scotland Theater Festival, as well as embarking on several theater tours across the Southern United States. In the early 1990s, her screen career began to gain momentum.
Throughout her career, Villari has worked with numerous acclaimed directors, including Richard Linklater, Peter Berg, Robert Altman, Alan Parker, Clint Eastwood, Lasse Halstrom, Robert Rodriguez, Kimberly Pierce, and James Marsh. Industry professionals describe her as earthy, authentic, sassy, irreverent, funny, and passionate about the civil liberties of all people and the protection of the environment.
Villari splits her time between her home on a secluded North Texas lake, Los Angeles, and the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, where some of her family still resides. She has recently returned to the stage, playing the role of Ann Richards in Holland Taylor's acclaimed production of ANN, which has received widespread critical acclaim, with audiences praising her portrayal as Libby Villari, who was born to play the role.
