Drea de Matteo

19 Jan, 1979 | Queens, New York City, New York

Actress

Biography

Andrea Donna de Matteo is an American Emmy-winning actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Adriana La Cerva on the HBO TV series The Sopranos and as Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina on the NBC sitcom Joey. She portrayed Wendy Case on the FX drama Sons of Anarchy. Early Life De Matteo, an Italian American, was born in Queens, New York, the daughter of Donna, a playwright and playwriting teacher, and Albert De Matteo, a furniture manufacturer. She grew up in a Catholic family. After graduating from the prestigious Loyola School, she studied at New York University's Tisch School of Arts, originally hoping to become a director, and not an actress. Career De Matteo's role in The Sopranos was one of her earliest, helping to launch her career. She has also appeared in several films including Swordfish, Deuces Wild, The Perfect You, Prey for Rock & Roll and the 2005 remake of John Carpenter's 1976 action film Assault on Precinct 13. In 2004, de Matteo won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress (Drama) for her role as Adriana on The Sopranos. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe that same year for the same role. She was ranked #42 and #56 on the Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2001 and 2002, respectively. From 2004 to 2006, de Matteo portrayed Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina in the Friends spin-off Joey. The show was cancelled after two seasons. Drea de Matteo played the role of Wendy Case in an FX original series Sons of Anarchy. The pilot episode aired on September 3, 2008. Personal Life She lives in New York City, where she also formerly owned the now-closed Filth Mart, an East Village clothing store, with best friend and ex-boyfriend Michael Sportes. She dated Shooter Jennings, son of country music legend Waylon Jennings. The couple have two children and they ended their relationship without getting married.