---
name: "Maria Bello"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/maria-bello"
fi1m_id: "maria-bello"
imdb_id: "nm0004742"
tmdb_id: 49
wikidata_id: "Q229220"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "18 April 1967"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 62
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-05T05:29:45.510218+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Maria Bello

## Identity

Maria Bello

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/maria-bello
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** maria-bello
- **IMDb ID:** nm0004742
- **TMDB ID:** 49
- **Wikidata ID:** Q229220
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Bello, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229220, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004742/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/49

Actor. Born 18 April 1967 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 18 April 1967, Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA
- **Active:** 1994–present
- **Also known as:** Maria Elaina Bello, Maria Elena Bello
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 9: 8 acting, 1 writing
- **Average Fi1m score:** 62, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 88 (1), 2000s 58 (4), 2010s 59 (3), 2020s 72 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 60 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Crime 3, Comedy 2, Thriller 2, Action 1, Action & Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $994m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Bello, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229220, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004742/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/49

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*A History of Violence*](https://film.one/film/a-history-of-violence.md) (88)
- **Disney+:** [*McFarland, USA*](https://film.one/film/mcfarland-usa.md) (72)
- **Tubi:** [*The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor*](https://film.one/film/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor.md) (40)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Maria Bello

> Maria Bello makes strong-willed women believable because their toughness leaves room for affection and hurt. We value the warmth and independence she brings to *A History of Violence*, where a marriage matters as much as the thriller plot.

In *A History of Violence* (2005), Maria Bello gives Edie Stall enough ease with her husband for us to believe in the marriage before it comes under strain. She is warm, but has her own mind; affection has not made her passive. David Cronenberg needs that independence if the threat to their closeness is to matter as much as the thriller plot. We were more upset than we expected by the loss of ease between Edie and Tom. We care about whether these two can still be comfortable together.

Viggo Mortensen helps by playing Tom's ordinariness without making him blank, leaving Bello someone credible to respond to. Neither performance needs to announce how much is at stake. Josh Olson's screenplay is sometimes too quick to settle questions that the actors have made difficult, and the plotting can be too tidy for Edie's distress. That is a limitation of the film rather than of her performance. The actors suggest further trouble even where the writing seems satisfied.

*The Cooler* (2003) helped establish her in independent cinema. She is well suited to Natalie Belisario's mix of sex appeal, toughness and vulnerability. Jason Reitman's *Thank You for Smoking* (2005), with Bello as Polly Bailey, also makes use of her comic timing. The later work moves between studio films such as *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* (2008), ensemble drama in Denis Villeneuve's *Prisoners* (2013), and television again with *NCIS* (2017–2021).

The risk with such a persuasive dramatic actor is that the distress becomes the only thing we notice. Edie's warmth matters just as much: without the closeness Bello establishes, the later discomfort would have little force. We would welcome more parts that make use of the humour as well as the hurt. Start with *A History of Violence*, and watch the marriage as closely as the thriller.

## Biography

Maria Bello is an American actress. Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, she studied political science at Villanova University. She began her career in off-Broadway plays before appearing in television series including *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (1996) and *ER* (1997–1998) as Dr Anna Del Amico.

Bello is known for film roles such as Edie Stall in *A History of Violence* (2005), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress, Natalie Belisario in *The Cooler* (2003), Sally Lamonsoff in *Grown Ups* (2010) and *Grown Ups 2* (2013), and parts in *Prisoners* (2013) and *Lights Out* (2016). She later played Jacqueline Sloane in the television series *NCIS* (2017–2021) and received a Primetime Emmy nomination for the limited series *Beef* (2023).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (9)

### Performed in (8) — the average rests on these

- *McFarland, USA* (2015), Fi1m 72, as Cheryl White — [page](https://film.one/film/mcfarland-usa.md)
- *Grown Ups 2* (2013), Fi1m 24, as Sally Lamonsoff — [page](https://film.one/film/grown-ups-2.md)
- *Prisoners* (2013), Fi1m 81, as Grace Dover — [page](https://film.one/film/prisoners.md)
- *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* (2008), Fi1m 40, as Evelyn O'Connell — [page](https://film.one/film/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor.md)
- *A History of Violence* (2005), Fi1m 88, as Edie Stall — [page](https://film.one/film/a-history-of-violence.md)
- *NCIS* (2003), Fi1m 66, as Jack Sloane — [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *Coyote Ugly* (2000), Fi1m 38, as Lil — [page](https://film.one/film/coyote-ugly.md)
- *ER* (1994), Fi1m 88, as Anna Del Amico — [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)

### Wrote (1)

- *The Woman King* (2022), Fi1m 72, Story, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-woman-king.md)

## Complete filmography (68)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Hell in Paradise* (2025), as Sam, mère Nina
- *The Waterfront* (2025), series, as Mae Buckley
- *BEEF* (2023), series, as Jordan
- *The Woman King* (2022), Story, Producer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-woman-king.md)
- *The Water Man* (2020), as Sheriff Goodwin
- *Giant Little Ones* (2019), as Carly Winter · Executive Producer
- *Exit* (2018), as Kim
- *Explained* (2018), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Better Start Running* (2018), as Agent McFadden
- *Every Day* (2018), as Lindsey
- *The Sun Ladies* (2018), as Xate Shingali (voice)
- *In Search of Fellini* (2017), as Claire · Executive Producer
- *Wait Till Helen Comes* (2016), as Jean
- *Max Steel* (2016), as Molly McGrath
- *Goliath* (2016), series, as Michelle McBride
- *The Late Bloomer* (2016), as Brenda Newmans
- *The Journey Is the Destination* (2016), as Kathy · Executive Producer
- *Lights Out* (2016), as Sophie
- *The Confirmation* (2016), as Bonnie
- *The 5th Wave* (2016), as Sergeant Reznik
- *Bravetown* (2015), as Martha
- *McFarland, USA* (2015), as Cheryl White — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/mcfarland-usa.md)
- *Demonic* (2015), as Dr. Elizabeth Klein
- *Big Driver* (2014), as Tess Thorne
- *Third Person* (2014), as Theresa
- *Prisoners* (2013), as Grace Dover — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/prisoners.md)
- *Grown Ups 2* (2013), as Sally Lamonsoff — Fi1m 24, [page](https://film.one/film/grown-ups-2.md)
- *Touch* (2012), series, as Lucy Robbins
- *Carjacked* (2011), as Lorraine Burton
- *Abduction* (2011), as Mara Harper
- *Prime Suspect* (2011), series, as Jane Timoney
- *Beautiful Boy* (2011), as Kate Carroll
- *The Company Men* (2010), as Sally Wilcox
- *Grown Ups* (2010), as Sally Lamonsoff
- *The Yellow Handkerchief* (2009), as May
- *The Private Lives of Pippa Lee* (2009), as Suky Sarkissian
- *Towelhead* (2008), as Gail Monahan
- *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* (2008), as Evelyn O'Connell — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor.md)
- *Downloading Nancy* (2008), as Nancy Stockwell
- *The Jane Austen Book Club* (2007), as Jocelyn
- *Butterfly on a Wheel* (2007), as Abby Randall
- *Flicka* (2006), as Nell McLaughlin
- *World Trade Center* (2006), as Donna McLoughlin
- *The Dark* (2005), as Adèlle
- *A History of Violence* (2005), as Edie Stall — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/a-history-of-violence.md)
- *Thank You for Smoking* (2005), as Polly Bailey
- *The Sisters* (2005), as Marcia Prior Glass
- *Assault on Precinct 13* (2005), as Dr. Alex Sabian
- *Silver City* (2004), as Nora Allardyce
- *Secret Window* (2004), as Amy Rainey
- *The Cooler* (2003), as Natalie Belisario
- *NCIS* (2003), series, as Jack Sloane — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *100 Mile Rule* (2002), as Monica
- *Auto Focus* (2002), as Patricia Olson / Patrica Crane
- *China: The Panda Adventure* (2001), as Ruth Harkness
- *Sam the Man* (2001), as Anastasia Powell
- *Duets* (2000), as Suzi Loomis
- *Coyote Ugly* (2000), as Lil — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/coyote-ugly.md)
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Vivian Arliss
- *Payback* (1999), as Rosie
- *Permanent Midnight* (1998), as Kitty
- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (1996), series, as Mrs. Smith
- *Misery Loves Company* (1995), series, as Joe's Former Film Student
- *Nowhere Man* (1995), series, as Emily Noonan
- *Due South* (1994), series, as Mackenzie King
- *ER* (1994), series, as Anna Del Amico — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *The Commish* (1991), series, Actor
- *Grown Ups 3*, as Sally Lamonsoff

## Gallery

- ![Maria Bello at the premiere of History of Violence, Toronto Film Festival 2005. There's Viggo Mortensen in the background photobombing. She was hot in that chee (2006)](https://film.one/media/person/98809/gallery-481f4179b4df.jpg) Maria Bello at the premiere of History of Violence, Toronto Film Festival 2005. There's Viggo Mortensen in the background photobombing. She was hot in that chee (2006) — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/History_of_Violence_006_%287271227440%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Maria Bello at the premiere of History of Violence, Toronto Film Festival 2005 (2006)](https://film.one/media/person/98809/gallery-518eedf947cf.jpg) Maria Bello at the premiere of History of Violence, Toronto Film Festival 2005 (2006) — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/History_of_Violence_007_%287271227520%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Maria Bello at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/98809/gallery-8709ffb0a399.jpg) Maria Bello at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. — gdcgraphics, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/MariaBelloSept2013TIFF.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Maria Bello and Barbara Guillaume. (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/98809/gallery-fbcb3e1a19e1.jpg) Maria Bello and Barbara Guillaume. (2011) — JD Lasica from Pleasanton, CA, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Maria_%26_Barbara_%285604698392%29.jpg/1280px-Maria_%26_Barbara_%285604698392%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Maria Bello](https://film.one/media/person/98809/gallery-2210dcf1a375.jpg) Maria Bello — Image via TMDB
- ![Maria Bello](https://film.one/media/person/98809/gallery-d8dbd55b08ee.jpg) Maria Bello — Image via TMDB
- ![Maria Bello](https://film.one/media/person/98809/gallery-fb437cd27dfc.jpg) Maria Bello — Gordon  Correll, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Maria_Bello_%2831621213980%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Max Mara Face of the Future Award 2006: Max Mara Face of the Future Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/maria-bello