Toni Collette is a renowned Australian actress, celebrated for her captivating performances in a wide range of film and stage productions. Born on November 1, 1972, in Blacktown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Collette is the eldest of three children to Judith Cook, a customer service representative, and Bob Collett, a truck driver.
From a tender age of six, Collette was raised in suburban Sydney, where she developed a strong affinity for the performing arts. Her remarkable acting skills were evident even at the age of eleven, when she successfully faked appendicitis to garner attention, a feat so convincing that doctors were forced to remove her appendix, despite initial test results indicating no underlying issue.
At sixteen, Collette left school to pursue her passion for acting, enrolling in the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). During her 18-month stint at NIDA, she struggled to make a name for herself, supporting herself by delivering pizzas. Her feature film debut came in 1991 with "The Efficiency Expert," alongside Russell Crowe and Anthony Hopkins, earning her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress from the Australian Film Institute.
Collette's stage debut with the Sydney Theatre Company as "Sonya" in Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" earned her a critic's circle award as Best Newcomer. She also appeared in various stage productions at the Belvoir Street Theatre, under the direction of Geoffrey Rush. In 1994, she won the Australian Best Actress in a Lead Role for her work in "Muriel's Wedding," requiring her to gain 40 pounds in just seven weeks.
In 1995, Collette made the transition to Hollywood with a supporting role in "The Pallbearer," followed by a string of supporting roles. Her first lead role as "Diana Spencer" in the comedy "Diana & Me" was overshadowed by the real-life death of Princess Diana, which occurred around the same time as the film's release.
Collette's breakthrough came with her role as "Lynn Sear" in "The Sixth Sense" (1999),earning her a well-deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Her subsequent role as "Sheryl" in "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) showcased her ability to deliver powerful performances in ensemble casts, alongside Abigail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Paul Dano, and Alan Arkin.
Since 2003, Collette has been married to musician Dave Galafassi, with whom she released her singing and songwriting debut album, "Beautiful Awkward Pictures," in 2006. She co-owns an independent production company in Australia and continues to pursue her music career as a singer. Toni Collette resides with her husband in Sydney, Australia, and owns a second home in Ireland.
