Celebrity Info
Cathy Moriarty really burst onto the scene while still just a teenager, landing the breakthrough role of Vicki La Motta—the wife of a fiery boxing champion—in Martin Scorsese’s legendary film Raging Bull (1980). The tall, blonde, husky-voiced actress from the Bronx delivered such a powerful performance that she earned a well-deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. At that point, it seemed like Cathy Moriarty was destined for stardom, with a bright future clearly ahead.
Following her success in Raging Bull, Cathy Moriarty gave another strong performance in the dark comedy Neighbors (1981), proving she wasn’t a one-hit wonder. But then, tragically, a serious car accident took her off screens for nearly six years. Her return came with the atmospheric thriller White of the Eye (1987), though it would take a few more years before she regained real momentum. That happened when she appeared in Soapdish (1991), showcasing her comedic timing and screen presence once again.
And then came The Mambo Kings (1992), where Cathy Moriarty shone as Armand Assante’s passionate lover—this role truly marked a career resurgence. Still, despite her talent, she often found herself slotted into supporting roles. For instance, she played Reba, the street-smart hooker, in The Gun in Betty Lou’s Handbag, and portrayed John Goodman’s actress girlfriend in Matinee—both released in 1992.
Over time, Cathy Moriarty became known for her flair in playing bold, larger-than-life characters, especially comic villains. She nailed the role of the snobbish heiress in Casper (1995), and later delivered a memorably outrageous performance as a homophobic camp counselor in But I’m a Cheerleader (2000)—a role that was both satirical and sharply acted.
Not every director saw her only as a villain, though. James Mangold, for example, cast Cathy Moriarty against type as Harvey Keitel’s grounded, emotionally complex wife in Cop Land (1997), showing her range beyond over-the-top antics. While she continued to embrace those dramatic, exaggerated antagonist roles, she also took on more serious supporting parts when the opportunity arose.
One notable moment was when Cathy Moriarty reunited with her Raging Bull co-star Robert De Niro in the mob comedy Analyze That (2002)—a fun callback to her early days in Hollywood. Through the ups and downs, Cathy Moriarty has remained a distinctive presence on screen, bringing depth and energy to every character she plays.
Cathy Moriarty has been part of a variety of movies, but her highest rated film to date is A Brother’s Kiss from 1997. On the other hand, one of her more recent projects, Last Call released in 2021, holds the distinction of being her lowest rated film. Cathy Moriarty’s performances have certainly seen a range of critical reception throughout her career.
United States
