Maria Bello is an American TV and film actress. She is best known for her role in projects, such as ‘E.R.,’ ‘The Cooler,’ and ‘A History of Violence.’ Born in Pennsylvania to a middle class family, Maria wanted to become a lawyer but later decided to become an actress. Upon moving to New York after graduation, she struggled for many years working in off-Broadway productions before landing a regular role in the television series ‘E.R.’ It was not long before she made her debut on the big-screen; she went on to appear in movies like ‘Permanent Midnight’ and ‘Coyote Ugly.’ Upon making the difficult transition from television to film, Bello garnered widespread acclaim for her convincing portrayals of complex female characters. She gained much attention for her roles in movies, such as ‘Auto Focus’ and ‘The Cooler’ which established her as a competent actress. Her popularity increased after playing the award-winning supporting role in the drama film ‘A History of Violence.’ Later, Bello appeared in several commercials and popular films, such as ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’ and ‘Grown Ups.’ It was followed by her return to the small screen as she landed the main role in ‘Prime Suspect.’ Blessed with an incredible beauty and remarkable talent, Bello continues to excel in her craft.