Robin Tunney

Robin Tunney (born June 19, 1972) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Teresa Lisbon on the television series The Mentalist (2008–2015) and the portrayal of Veronica Donovan on Prison Break (2005–2006).

Robin Tunney
Tunney in 2013
Born (1972-06-19) June 19, 1972
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1991–present
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1995; div. 2006)​
Partner(s)Nicky Marmet (2012–present)
Children2
RelativesTom Tunney (cousin)

Tunney made her film debut in the 1992 comedy Encino Man. She came to prominence with leading roles in the cult films Empire Records (1995) and The Craft (1996). She received the Volpi Cup for Best Actress, as well as Gotham and Independent Spirit nominations for her performance in Niagara, Niagara (1997). She had leading roles in the action-thriller films End of Days (1999), Supernova and Vertical Limit (both 2000). In 2006, she earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of a victim of sexual assault in the independent drama Open Window.[1] Her other notable film appearances include Cherish, The Secret Lives of Dentists (both 2002), The In-Laws (2003), Hollywoodland (2006), August, The Burning Plain (both 2008), Passenger Side (2009), and Looking Glass (2018).

Early life

Tunney was born in Chicago, Illinois, to a car salesman father, Patrick, and a bartender mother, Cathy.[2][3] Tunney's father was born in Straide, County Mayo, Ireland, while her maternal grandparents were from Clare Island.[4] Tunney grew up in Orland Park, a southwest suburb of Chicago. She was raised Catholic,[5] attended Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago and the Chicago Academy for the Arts in Chicago,[6] and resided in Palos Heights, also in the Chicago area.[7]

Career

Tunney moved to Los Angeles and was cast in roles in Class of '96, Law & Order, Dream On, and Life Goes On amongst other works. She realized subsequent success in the role of Sarah Bailey in The Craft.

Tunney later accepted a role in Niagara, Niagara, for which she won the Volpi Cup at the 1997 Venice International Film Festival. Tunney also was featured opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1999 supernatural action film End of Days. She was later cast in a guest-star role in the pilot episode of the TV series House as a kindergarten instructor who collapses in the midst of a lesson, resulting in an aphasic condition. She also portrayed Veronica Donovan on the first season of Prison Break. Among Tunney's other accomplishments were roles in The Mentalist, Closing the Ring, as well as The Fix.[8]

Personal life

Tunney married producer and director Bob Gosse on October 4, 1995,[9] and divorced in 2006. Tunney was engaged to Australian writer and director Andrew Dominik[10] from 2009 to 2010.[11]

Tunney became engaged to Nicky Marmet on December 25, 2012, while on vacation in Rio de Janeiro.[12] On June 23, 2016, she gave birth to their son Oscar Holly Marmet.[13] On January 8, 2020, she gave birth to their daughter Colette Kathleen Marmet.[14]

On June 28, 2006, Tunney won her table in the eighth tournament series of Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, moving on to the final table. The finale aired on July 5, 2006, where she finished second to Jason Alexander, earning $200,000 for her charity of choice, The Children's Health Fund. In August 2006, Tunney played in the World Series of Poker after having her entrance fee covered by the online cardroom PokerRoom.com.

She is a cousin of Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney.[7]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role
1992Encino ManElla
1995Empire RecordsDebra
1996The CraftSarah Bailey
Riders of the Purple SageElizabeth 'Bess' Erne
1997Julian PoSarah
Niagara, NiagaraMarcy
1998MontanaKitty
Rescuers: Stories of Courage: Two FamiliesMelvina 'Malka' Csizmadi
1999End of DaysChristine York
2000Vertical LimitAnnie Garrett
SupernovaDanika Lund
2001Investigating SexZoe
2002The Secret Lives of DentistsLaura
CherishZoe
2003Abby SingerHerself (cameo)
The In-LawsAngela Harris
2004PaparazziAbby Laramie
Shadow of FearWynn French
2005The ZodiacLaura Parish
RunawayCarly
2006HollywoodlandLeonore Lemmon
The Darwin AwardsZoe
Open WindowIzzy
2008AugustMelanie Hanson
The Burning PlainLaura
The Two Mr. KisselsNancy Kissel
2009Passenger SideTheresa
2012See Girl RunEmmie
2015My All AmericanGloria Steinmark
2018Looking GlassMaggie
Monster PartyRoxanne Dawson
2020Horse GirlAgatha Kaine

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1992Perry Mason: The Case of Reckless RomeoSandra TurnerTelevision film
1993JFK: Reckless YouthKathleen 'Kick' Kennedy
CuttersDeborah5 episodes
1994Law & OrderJill TempletonEpisode: "Mayhem"
2003The Twilight ZoneEdie DurantEpisode: "Developing"
2004HouseRebecca AdlerPilot episode
2005–2006Prison BreakVeronica Donovan23 episodes
2007Robot ChickenMadame Razz / Entrapta / Carole Demas / Skin Graft Patient (voice)Episode: "Slaughterhouse on the Prairie"
2008–2015The MentalistTeresa LisbonMain role; 151 episodes
2016LoveSLAA WomanEpisode: "The End of the Beginning"
2018InsatiableBrandylynn HuggensEpisode: "Miss Bareback Buckaroo"
2019The FixMaya TravisLead role; 10 episodes

Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Nominated work Result
1997 MTV Movie Awards Best Fight (shared with Fairuza Balk) The Craft Won
1997 Volpi Cup Best Actress Niagara, Niagara Won
1999 Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Lead Niagara, Niagara Nominated
2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Actress – Action Vertical Limit Nominated
2006 Boston Film Festival Festival Prize Open Window Won
2009 People's Choice Awards Best New Series (shared with Simon Baker, Amanda Righetti, Owain Yeoman and Tim Kang) The Mentalist Won
2015 People's Choice Awards Favorite Crime Drama TV (shared with Simon Baker, Amanda Righetti, Owain Yeoman and Tim Kang) The Mentalist Nominated
Favorite TV Crime Drama Actress [15] Nominated

References
  1. John Horn (July 16, 2007). "An open window on a filmmaker's trauma". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  2. "Robin Tunney Biography (1972?-)". Film Reference. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10.
  3. McGavin, Patrick Z (July 5, 1998). "It's All An Act". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 17, 2011.
  4. "My Irish dad would pretend to be a gay hairdresser!". Independent. March 19, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  5. Hughes, Scott (1999-12-05). "Robin Tunney's angst-ridden roles". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2010-06-24. ...her compulsion to tackle tough parts range from her Irish-Catholic background...
  6. "Robin Tunney:Biography". Movies MSN. Archived from the original on 2012-06-03. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
  7. Crowder, Courtney (2010-09-21). "Palos Heights native wears a smile on CBS' 'Mentalist'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  8. Channel Guide Magazine (28 February 2019). "Channel Guide Magazine March 2019 cover featuring Robin Tunney of The Fix ABC". Facebook. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  9. Weiner, Carey (March 22, 1998). "Up and Coming: Robin Tunney; a young best actress takes the plunge in 'Niagara, Niagara'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  10. Zuckerman, Suzanne (May 2009). "Actress Robin Tunney on How to Speak Your Mind". Women's Health. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  11. Morrison, Mark (August 2010). "Robin's Green Shades". In Style Magazine. Archived from the original on November 2, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  12. Eggenberger, Nicole (February 5, 2013). "Exclusive: Robin Tunney, the Mentalist star, engaged to Nicky Marmet". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  13. "Robin Tunney Welcomes Son Oscar Holly". people.com. Archived from the original on 2017-07-18.
  14. "Robin Tunney Welcomes Daughter Colette Kathleen: She's 'Ready to Take Over the World'". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  15. "Favorite Crime Drama TV Actress". People's Choice Awards. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
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