Veteran American actor Diane Venore began her acting career in Shakespearean plays before becoming well-known for her portrayal of “Chan Parker” in the biographical film “Bird,” for which she received the “New York Film Critics Circle Award.” She broke the glass ceiling by being one of the first women to play the title role in “Hamlet” at the “New York Shakespeare Festival.” Her television career includes recurrent parts in the well-known serials “Chicago Hope” and “Thunder Alley.” When her daughter was eight years old, she wed Andrzej Bartkowiak, but nine years later, they divorced. She temporarily left the entertainment industry in order to spend more time with her daughter, who was dependent on her mother due to her partial deafness and a degenerative neurological ailment. Later, when her daughter’s condition improved, she started acting again. She then had appearances in films like “The Jackal,” “Self Medicated,” and “All Good Things.” Her most recent TV roles have appeared on shows including “Criminal Minds,” “Private Practice,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” Diane Venora is a well-known film figure who has motivated other women in the business, particularly those who have encountered challenges. She is a strong woman who battled back despite all difficulties to emerge victorious in the end.
Early Childhood & Life
Marie Brooks Venora and Robert P. Venora welcomed Diane into the world on August 10, 1952, in East Hartford, Connecticut, in the United States. Her father owned a dry cleaning business and was of Italian origin. She was one of her parents six children. She had previously dreamed of becoming a hairstylist. Her parents, however, supported her decision to pursue acting as a career.
Since she was a young girl, Diane has enjoyed singing and acting. She participated actively in the theatrical club at her school as well as other extracurricular activities. After completing her high school education at “East Hartford High School” in 1970, she spent two years studying music at “The Boston Conservatory of Music.”
Later, she was awarded a scholarship to attend the esteemed “Juilliard School” in New York City, where she eventually earned her degree in 1977. She belonged to the same drama troupe as future A-listers Harriet Sansom Harris, Kelsey Grammer, and Robin Williams.
Diane Venora’s Career
In 1981, Diane began her career in theater with a part in the Off-Broadway production of “Penguin Touquet.” She performed in many Shakespearean plays, and in 1983 at the “New York Shakespeare Festival,” she was one of the first women to play the title role in “Hamlet.” She subsequently appeared in the title role of “Hamlet” on multiple occasions at different locations. She rose to fame for bridging the gender gap in Shakespearean theater and showcasing her versatility as an actress.
In 1981, she made her feature film debut in the crime thriller “Wolfen,” which also starred Gregory Hines and Albert Finney. The Cotton Club (1984), Terminal Choice (1985), and Ironweed (1985) were the next three films she acted in (1987).
Her portrayal of “Chan Parker” in Clint Eastwood’s historical picture “Bird,” for which she received a “New York Film Critics Circle” award and a “Golden Globe” nomination, gave her career a significant boost in 1988.
She received acclaim from reviewers and fans alike for her role as “Justine Hanna” in the 1995 crime drama “Heat,” which also starred Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Following that, she had other film appearances, including “Self Medicated,” where she portrayed “Louise Eriksen.” At the “Phoenix Film Festival,” the film took home the prize for having the greatest ensemble cast.
Her TV career also took off in the early 1980s, along with her performances in theater and on the big screen. She had guest appearances on the television programs “Law & Order,” “Getting There,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Great Performances” between 1980 and 1990. (1993).
Her recurring performances as Ed Asner’s daughter in Thunder Alley (1994) and a plastic surgeon in the Emmy-winning serial Chicago Hope (1994–1955) brought her TV career to a peak.
Her appearances in well-known primetime series like “Criminal Minds” (2006), “Grey’s Anatomy” (2010), “The Wish List” (2010), and “The Victorians” (2010) helped her TV career expand till 2016. (2016).
Her Bigger Works
In her early career, Diane Venora performed in a number of Shakespearean plays.
Wolfen (1981), Bird (1988), Heat (1995), The Jackal (1997), The Young Girl and the Monsoon (1999), Self Medicated (2005), Follow the Prophet (2009), and “All Good Things” are some of her most notable films (2010).
She has acted in several TV series and motion pictures, such as “Nurse” (1981), “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (1982), “Law & Order” (1993), “Chicago Hope” (1994–1955), “Race Against Time” (2000), “Criminal Minds” (2006), “Private Practice” (2009), and “Grey’s Anatomy” (2010).
Recognition & Achievements
For her portrayal of “Chan Parker” in “Bird,” she received the “New York Film Critics Circle” award for “Best Supporting Actress” and the “Sant Jordi” award for “Best Actress in a Foreign Film.” For her work in the film, she was also nominated for a “Golden Globe Award.”
At the Phoenix Film Festival, her movie “Self Medicated” was recognized as having the “Best Ensemble Cast.”
Her Individual Life
While producing a commercial for the shampoo brand “Head & Shoulders,” Diane Venora got to know Andrzej Bartkowiak. In 1979, they began dating, and a year later, in 1980, they were wed. Madzia is their daughter’s name.
As a result of things not working out, the couple decided to split in 1989. To spend more time with her daughter, who was eight years old at the time, Diane temporarily left the entertainment industry. Her daughter was dependent on her mother due to her partial deafness and a deteriorating neurological ailment.
She spent the majority of her time caring for her daughter when she resided in New York and taught poor kids. Until her daughter showed noticeable improvements and they moved to Los Angeles, she occasionally appeared in theater in New York.
In 1994, she resumed appearing in movies as her daughter gradually developed the self-assurance to handle life on her own. Despite getting remarried, Bartkowiak offered to assist in raising their daughter. With her kid and two pets, Diane preferred to face life alone.
Estimated Net Worth
One of the wealthiest and most well-known movie actors is Diane Venora. Our study of Diane Venora’s net worth from sources including Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider indicates that it is roughly $1.5 million.
Trivia
Because the producers thought she behaved as though she were on “Broadway,” she was fired from the sitcom Thunder Alley.
She made it obvious that her kid was her top concern when given the choice between her work and her daughter’s welfare.