Diane Venora Movies and Career Information

Diane Venora (born August 10, 1952) is an American stage, television, and film actress. Venora was born Diana Venora in East Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Marie and Robert Venora, who owned a dry cleaning establishment. Diane graduated from East Hartford High School, class of 1970. During her high school years she was active in musicals and plays. She left Connecticut for a scholarship at Juilliard School. After graduation, she performed extensively on the stage, particularly in Shakespearean plays. Venora made her film debut alongside Albert Finney and Gregory Hines in Wolfen (1981). In 1983, she starred in Joseph Papp's production of Hamlet at the New York Shakespeare Festival in the lead role, the first woman to play the role at the prestigious showcase. She has a long history with Hamlet, having played the title role, having played Ophelia opposite Kevin Kline, and having played Gertrude onscreen opposite Ethan Hawke. She was married to cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak; the couple later divorced. After the divorce, she lived in New York with her daughter, Madzia, traveling often for work. She quit show business when Madzia was eight to spend more time with her