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Rosanna Arquette

Rosanna Arquette was born in New York City into a show business family, the first child of five in the third generation of the Arquette acting clan. Her grandfather, Cliff Arquette, played Charley Weaver on The Jack Paar Show and in the original Hollywood Squares. Her father, character actor Lewis Arquette, was well known as J. D. Pickett on The Waltons. And her siblings, Patricia Arquette, David Arquette, Alexis Arquette and Richmond Arquette, all followed her into the family tradition as accomplished working actors.

Rosanna began acting as a child while growing up in a bohemian atmosphere of gypsy-like travel and communes. Her mother, Mardi, was a poet, political activist and therapist who deeply influenced her daughter's compassionate world view.

Rosanna started working professionally as a teenager and has never stopped. Throughout her career she has worked with some of the most important and influential directors in Hollywood and independent film, including, Blake Edwards (S.O.B.), John Sayles (Baby It's You), Lawrence Kasden (Silverado), Martin Scorsese (After Hours, New York Stories), Luc Besson (The Big Blue), Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction), David Cronenberg (Crash), Vincent Gallo (Buffalo 66) and Alison Anders (Sugar Town). She has appeared in over 70 films.

Rosanna won the British Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her star-making performance opposite Madonna in Susan Seidleman's 1985 hit, Desperately Seeking Susan. She was further nominated for an Emmy for her strong performance in the television adaptation of Norman Mailer's The Executioner's Song, opposite Tommy Lee Jones. She starred in the acclaimed TV movie adaptations of Song of the Morning Star and Johnny Belinda, and has guest starred in numerous television series, including Grey's Anatomy, Will and Grace, The Practice, Law and Order: Criminal Intent and Showtime's provocative hit, The L Word.

Rosanna is one of the few actresses who has the distinction of having a No. 1 hit song written about her -- Toto's 1982 Rosanna. She has hosted Saturday Night Live and has appeared on the cover of many magazines throughout the years.

Her vast experience in the film world has inspired Rosanna to explore and expand her talent as a filmmaker into the realm of directing and producing, and she has two highly acclaimed documentaries to her credit, 2002's Searching for Debra Winger and 2005's All We Are Saying. Currently she is developing other projects, including her narrative film directorial debut, through her company, Flower Child Productions.

Rosanna's passion for her work is matched only by her passion for her daughter, Zoe Blue Sidel, her family and her work as a breast cancer awareness advocate.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2006.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

Rosanna Arquette Facts

Birth NameRosanna Lauren Arquette
OccupationActress
BirthdayAugust 10, 1959 (64)
SignLeo
BirthplaceNew York, New York, USA
Height5' 3" (1m60)  How tall is Rosanna Arquette compared to you?

Selected Filmography

I'm Losing You
Frank & Lola
The Divide
Sweet Revenge
Lifeline
Legend In The Making
First Season Episode 6 Father John
Having Babies 2
Kill Your Friends
Silverado
Continue » Find more details on the Rosanna Arquette Movies page