Maria Pitillo (born January 8, 1966) is an American retired actress. She has starred in films and on television, most notably as Audrey Timmonds in Godzilla (1998). She also had a recurring role on the television series Providence.
Early life and education Pitillo was born on January 8, 1966, in Elmira, New York, and grew up in Mahwah, New Jersey. Her parents divorced and her father moved Maria and her sisters, Lisa and Gina, to Mahwah, New Jersey. She attended Mahwah High School, where she was on the track team, before transferring to Northern Highlands Regional High School. She was prevented from attending her high school graduation ceremony after an altercation with her English teacher.
Career 1986–1992 Pitillo was living in suburban New Jersey, and working as a department store clerk when a friend invited her to audition for a TV commercial. Her first job was an advertisement for Pepto Bismol. Subsequent commercial work included an ad for Bank of Boston, York Peppermint Pattie, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Chic Jeans, among others. In the fall of 1987, Pitillo was cast as Nancy Don (Lewis) on the ABC soap opera, Ryan's Hope, which lasted until that series ended its run in 1989.
Pitillo later said that she did not consider acting as a serious career choice until after Chaplin (1992).
1990's
Upon moving to Hollywood, Pitillo's work consisted primarily of television drama (South of Sunset), small parts in theatrical motion pictures, and included starring roles in several Made-For-TV movies. She earned critical praise for her roles in the following: Middle Ages, Escape from Terror: The Teresa Stamper Story, as well as Between Love and Honor.'BETWEEN LOVE,' HONOR AND FAMILY TIES Eric Mink. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS. February 14, 1995. | The real star of the film is Maria Pitillo, a bright-eyed, fresh-faced, tangle-haired actress whose disarming naturalness makes the goddaughter character, Maria Caprefoli, totally credible Pitillo's career breakthrough came with the 1995 FOX sitcom Partners. Cast as Alicia Sondergard, the comedy met with critical success for herself, as well as for co-stars Jon Cryer, and Tate Donovan. Partners failed to gain traction with audiences, however, and was cancelled in the Spring of 1996.
After completing Dear God in the summer of 1996, Pitillo was contacted by NBC President Warren Littlefield, who had taken notice of her performance in Partners. Littlefield then signed her to a development deal with the network.
In early 1997, while trying to acquire a stake in DreamWorks Studios, NBC tried to leverage Pitillo, as well as director James Burrows, with a project titled Nearly Yours, which actress Parker Posey had dropped out of. DreamWorks and NBC could not come to an agreement, and the deal collapsed. The squabbling between NBC and DreamWorks left the network with a programming hole, and Pitillo without a television project for all of 1997. It wasn't until filming began on Something To Believe In (1997), and Godzilla (May 1997), that she returned to work. NBC continued to search for a suitable television project for Pitillo, and with input from Littlefield, developed the sitcom House Rules, which aired as a mid-season replacement in March 1998.
Godzilla (1998) Pitillo starred as Audrey Timmonds in the TriStar Pictures film Godzilla, which opened in theaters on May 20, 1998. The film was skewered by fans and critics alike, with Pitillo's performance being particularly criticized:
"At its release, the film was much criticized by Godzilla fans the world over. Kenpachiro Satsuma, the actor who portrayed Godzilla in the second series of films (1984–1995) walked out of a Tokyo screening and told reporters that, 'It's not Godzilla, it does not have the spirit."
Godzilla was nominated in several categories for Razzie awards, and Pitillo herself won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress in 1999. Pitillo is known to have commented once about her role in Godzilla:
"This movie isn't written for big performances from its actors," Pitillo says. "I don't expect a lot from it. It won't be like, 'Oh, Maria Pitillo is a great actress.' But it's an opportunity for people to see me."
Godzilla 2 (1999) Pitillo, Matthew Broderick, and Jean Reno were each under contract for a total of three Godzilla films. The first installment, having earned $379 million during its theatrical run, ensured that a sequel would be considered. TriStar Pictures, which owned the rights to the franchise, called on Centropolis to begin pre-production work on a sequel, which was tentatively titled Godzilla 2. Ultimately, there was little enthusiasm to move forward, and the rights to the franchise were allowed to expire.
Late career By 2000, Pitillo had starred in the indie film Dirk & Betty and the comedy-drama After Sex, and made guest appearances on several television shows. Her last film role was the made-for-TV movie The Christmas Secret, starring Richard Thomas and Beau Bridges. It originally aired on CBS, and later broadcast on the ABC Family network as part of their 25 Days of Christmas. She had a recurring role on Providence (2001–2002) as Tina Calcatera, a divorced mother, and love interest of Robbie, played by Seth Peterson, a role which lasted until the series ended in 2002.
Unsold pilots In 1998, Pitillo appeared in In the Loop with Joely Fisher and Lisa Edelstein. Seven scripts were written and a pilot episode directed by James Burrows was produced.ABC sets cast for pilot ‘In the Loop’ Ensemble crew joins Fisher in thirtysomething sitcom Jenny Hontz. Variety, June 23, 1998 The following year, Pitillo again worked with Burrows on People Who Fear People, which also starred Jon Cryer.ABC sets appointment for Cryer’s couch trip pilot Cynthia Littleton Editor-in-chief: TV. Variety, August 17, 1999 Pitillo's role was recast, and the series became The Trouble With Normal in 2000.Inside Move: Goodman show gets ‘Normal’ Josef Adalian. Variety, August 18, 2000 In 2003, she filmed a pilot of Follow the Leeds with Sharon Lawrence and Marsha Mason, which competed with three other pilots for slot in Lifetime Televisions Fall 2003 line up.Lifetime unveils originals John Dempsey. Variety, April 3, 2003 In 2006, Pitillo appeared alongside Mitch Rouse and Kiernan Shipka in The Angriest Man in Suburbia.Busted pilots awash on Web Josef Adalian. Variety, August 3, 2006.
Personal life Pitillo married David R. Fortney in 2002, and lives in Ross, California.Town Of Ross Meeting Minutes She is of Italian and Irish descent.
It is most often noted that Pitillo got into acting after a chance encounter with a friend, while some publicity material suggests that participating in Summer stock theater provided Pitillo the impetus to act professionally.Maria Pitillo, Turner Classic Movies
Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes1986Wise GuysMassuese1988Bright Lights, Big CityPony Tail GirlSpike of BensonhurstAngel1989She-DevilOlivia Honey1990White PalaceJaney1992ChaplinMary Pickford1993True RomanceKandi1994I'll Do AnythingFlight AttendantNatural Born KillersDeborahFrank and JesseZee1995Bye Bye LoveKim1996Dear GodGloria McKinney1998Something to Believe InMaggieGodzillaAudrey TimmondsGolden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress2000After SexVickiDirk & BettyBetty
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1987CBS Schoolbreak SpecialVickieEpisode: "What If I'm Gay?"1989Ryan's HopeNancy Don LewisRecurring role (5 episodes)Miami ViceAnnaEpisode: "The Cell Within"1990The Lost CaponeAnnieTelevision film1991Law & OrderAngel GreerEpisode: "Aria"Saturday'sChelseaTelevision film1992Middle AgesRobinEpisode: "Night Moves"1993CooperstownBridgetTelevision filmMad About YouMimiEpisode: "The Man Who Said Hello"South of SunsetGina WestonMain role1995Escape from Terror: The Teresa Stamper StoryTeresa Walden StamperTelevision filmBetween Love and HonorMaria Caprefoli1995–1996PartnersAlicia SundergardMain role1996Out of Orderunknown roleTelevision short; episode: "Refracted"1998House RulesCasey FarrellMain roleIn the LoopUnknown roleUnknown episode1999Ally McBealPaula HuntEpisode: "Civil War"Early EditionRebecca WatersEpisode: "Weather Girl"2000Will & GracePaulaEpisode: "Love Plus One"The Christmas SecretDebbie McNeilTelevision film2001–2002ProvidenceTina CalcateraRecurring role (31 episodes)2003FriendsLaura the adoption agentEpisode: "The One with the Home Study"2008Big ShotsValerie CerritasEpisode: "Sex Be Not Proud"
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