Drea de Matteo

Andrea Donna de Matteo, known professionally as Drea de Matteo, was born on January 19, 1972, in Queens, New York. She grew up in an affluent family, the youngest of three children. Her mother, Donna, was a playwright and playwriting teacher at HB Studio, and her father, Albert A. De Matteo, was a furniture manufacturer. De Matteo pursued a directing career at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts before shifting her focus to acting. Her early career included a screen debut in an independent film and a small part in “Meet Prince Charming” (1999).

De Matteo’s breakthrough came with her role as Adriana La Cerva in the HBO series “The Sopranos,” which premiered in 1999. Initially cast for a single episode, her portrayal led to an expanded role, eventually becoming a series regular. Her work on “The Sopranos” earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2004. Following her departure from “The Sopranos” in 2004, she secured a leading role in “Joey” (2004-2006), a spin-off of the NBC sitcom “Friends.” She also showcased her acting skills in films such as Abel Ferrara’s “‘R Xmas” (2001) and “Prey for Rock & Roll” (2003).

Her career continued with significant television roles, including Wendy Case in “Sons of Anarchy” (2008-2014) and Angie Bolen in “Desperate Housewives” (2009-2010). She later took on the role of Detective Tess Nazario in “Shades of Blue” (2016-2018). In addition to her acting work, De Matteo co-founded the rock and roll vintage clothing store “Filth Mart” and is also known for her podcasting ventures.