An acclaimed actress who displayed a commitment to smart, tough, interesting female characters, Maria Bello gained widespread acclaim with Golden Globe-nominated roles in “The Cooler” (2003) and “A History of Violence” (2005). Bello was never looking to be the next one-dimensional blonde, and her instinct for intense drama first made waves in the independent film world with the work of artful directors like John Sayles, David Cronenberg, and Alan Ball. She also made forays into the big budget studio film world, where she essayed all manner of not-to-be-messed-with women in “Payback” (2000)
