Maria Bello

Maria Bello's breakthrough came when producers Kerry Lenhart and John J. Sakmar cast her as Mrs. Smith in the spy show Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1996) ; they remembered her from her performance in a failed pilot that was a remake of the classic TV series 77 Sunset Strip (1958). The show was cancelled after just eight weeks on the air. Then came a guest stint on ER as the feisty pediatrician Dr. Anna Del Amico, in which she guest-starred in the final four episodes of the third season. The show's producers were so impressed with her that they asked her back as a regular on the series. Bello remained on the show for one season, departing after the medical drama's 4th season.

The actress went on into movies landing a role in Coyote Ugly with Piper Perabo and Tyra Banks. She has been nominated for the Golden Globe award twice: for Best Supporting Actress in The Cooler (2003) and for Best Actress in A History of Violence (2005).