Marisa is veteran actress of many theatrical productions on stage, TV, and film. Marisa has the nasty girl sex appeal that keeps bringing them back to the box office. She has a tattoo of the Egyptian Eye of Ra on her left foot which signifies protection, good luck and abundance.

Marisa was born in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, on December 4,1964. Her father is a trial lawyer, and her mother an English teacher. Marisa has one younger brother, Adam. Marisa wanted to be an archeologist, however, at the age of 12 she saw the play "Chorus Line" and found the magic of the theatre. During her junior high school years she studied acting and dancing, and in the summers performed in plays at the Golden Bridge Colony in upstate New York. She attended and graduated from Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, New York.

Marisa attended Boston University, and during the summer had a six week career as a waitress. Her father wanted her to return to college, but a friend encouraged her to continue acting. Marisa proceeded with a small role in the movie "The Flamingo Kid", which amounted to only several lines. With this meager start and perseverance, Marisa next played a role in As The World Turns, which kept her busy for eighteen months.

Her major stage debut was in the play 'Daughters', which won her a Theatre World Award. Her next accomplishment was in the Off-Broadway play 'Beirut', which won her a Dramalogue Award. She starred in the Afterschool Special, "Supermom's Daughter", which won an Emmy Award.

Marisa's big break came in when she co-starred as Joe Pesci's hilariously foul-mouthed girlfriend in "My Cousin Vinny", a performance that won her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.