Alyssa Milano

Alyssa Milano
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Name:
Alyssa Milano
Real name:
Alyssa Jayne Milano
Who is:
Birth date:
(52 y.o.)
Place of birth:
New York
Height:
5'2 ft ()
Weight:
108 lb (49 kg)
Relationship:
married
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Alyssa Milano

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Biography of Alyssa Milano

Alyssa Milano, an American actress of Italian descent, won over audiences who watched her grow up on screen. She landed her first major role at just twelve years old in the TV series "Who's the Boss?", making her character, Samantha Micelli, a beloved fixture for American audiences until 1992. Milano's standout performance earned her four Young Artist Awards.
Pictured: Alyssa Milano
Pictured: Alyssa Milano
She gained international fame playing Phoebe Halliwell in the supernatural TV series "Charmed", where she played the youngest of the witch sisters.

Childhood, Family, First Roles

Alyssa Jayne Milano was born in Brooklyn during the winter of 1972 to parents Thomas and Lin Milano. Ten years later, her family welcomed a baby brother, Cory. Her father worked as a music editor and was an avid yachting enthusiast, while her mother was a fashion designer. Both parents embraced the hippie subculture, creating a liberal home environment while still making sure their children attended Catholic Church.
Alyssa Milano in Childhood
Alyssa Milano in Childhood
From an early age, Alyssa showed a natural talent for art, music, and storytelling, spinning fantastical tales for her younger brother and often performing entire plays just for him. She was clearly destined for a life on stage.

During one of her mother's fashion shows, a model-dancer took note of the little girl and suggested she audition for a new musical. At just eight years old, Milano beat out a thousand other hopefuls to land the role of orphan Julie in the Broadway production of "Annie". This was followed by participation in the productions of "Jane Eyre" and "A Tender Offer".
Alyssa Milano in the TV Series 'Who's the Boss?'
Alyssa Milano in the TV Series 'Who's the Boss?'
When Milano landed her first TV series role at age eleven, the family packed up and moved to Los Angeles, the heart of the entertainment industry. There, she enrolled at the Buckley School, continued her music studies, and starred in the family comedy "Who's the Boss?" as Samantha Micelli, daughter of a former baseball player turned housekeeper for a wealthy family.
A snashot from the TV Series 'Who's the Boss?'
A snashot from the TV Series 'Who's the Boss?'
Milano quickly won over audiences. The series ran for eight years, during which the young actress also tried her hand at singing. In Japan, she recorded five studio albums, although only the last one, "Do You See Me?", achieved commercial success in the U.S.
Alyssa Milano – Look In My Heart
In 2017, Milano revealed a shocking truth about her past. She disclosed that at age 15, she experienced harassment on set but had kept the incident private. Milano chose not to reveal her attacker's identity. He put his hand under my underwear and tried to force his fingers inside of me. He violated me on a set with cameras rolling, she said.
Alyssa Milano MeToo story
While working on the TV series, Milano also appeared in several films, though in supporting roles. She portrayed Jenny Matrix in the action film "Commando" alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, Diana in the drama "Old Enough" with Sarah Boyd, and Jennifer in "The Canterville Ghost" with John Gielgud. She also played Diana in the comedy "Little Sister", with Jonathan Silverman embodying the character of her on-screen brother.

"Charmed" and Other Projects

After wrapping "Who's the Boss?", Alyssa made a dramatic career pivot that shocked fans used to her wholesome girl-next-door image. She dove headfirst into thrillers and R-rated horror films.
A Scene from the Movie 'Embrace of the Vampire'
A Scene from the Movie 'Embrace of the Vampire'
She portrayed the young virgin Charlotte in "Embrace of the Vampire," student Christina in "Deadly Sins," and a young artist in "Poison Ivy II: Lily." Each role featured Milano in steamy scenes that explored humanity's darker impulses.
Alyssa Milano in 'Poison Ivy II'
Alyssa Milano in 'Poison Ivy II'
When Milano posed for a racy "Bikini" magazine spread, her "Who's the Boss?" co-star Tony Danza worried about the direction her career was taking. Meanwhile, she successfully sued a web designer who posted her explicit photos online, winning nearly $250,000 in damages for emotional distress.
Young Alyssa Milano
Young Alyssa Milano
During this period, Milano also participated in Maximilian Schell's television drama "Candles in the Dark." She played Sylvia, an American girl who arrives in Tallinn as the Baltic states fight for independence from the Soviet Union.
A Scene from 'Candles in the Dark'
A Scene from 'Candles in the Dark'
In 1997, the actress joined the series "Melrose Place" as Jennifer Mancini, appearing in this role for one season.
Alyssa Milano in 'Melrose Place'
Alyssa Milano in 'Melrose Place'
After Milano starred with Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon in James Foley's thriller "Fear," she began to receive offers for more serious roles. In 1998, she signed an eight-year contract to play the lead role of Phoebe Halliwell in the mystical TV series "Charmed," which brought Milano extraordinary popularity beyond America.
'Charmed': Alyssa Milano as Phoebe
'Charmed': Alyssa Milano as Phoebe
The eight-season run was packed with drama both on and off screen. Most notably, Shannen Doherty, who played eldest sister Prue, departed after season three in a blaze of controversy. Rumors circulated that Alyssa had a hand in this.
Phoebe Halliwell - All Premonitions & Fights Scenes (s01)
While the three actresses started out as close friends—Holly Marie and Shannen even served as bridesmaids at Milano's wedding—by season three, tensions between Alyssa and Shannen had exploded. The two reportedly refused to speak to each other, with Milano allegedly giving producers an ultimatum: it's either me or her. Alyssa denies this version of events.
I'm sorry she left, and it's unfortunate that she now feels the need to publicly trash everyone involved in the show, as well as the audience. She seems to be very angry. I just hope I'm not the cause of that anger.
But when Doherty was diagnosed with cancer 15 years later, the former co-stars finally made peace.
'Charmed' Cast
'Charmed' Cast
By the fourth season, only two sisters remained on the show – Phoebe and Paige (played by Holly Marie Combs). The producers had to quickly introduce a long-lost fourth sister, played by Rose McGowan, after Doherty's departure.
The Feud Between Rose McGowan & Alyssa Milano
After the series ended, Milano wasn't offered roles similar to Phoebe anymore, but she stayed active in film and television. Her credits include TV series like "Mistresses" (Savannah Davis), "Grey's Anatomy" (Hayley Peterson), and "My Name Is Earl" (Billie Cunningham).
Scene from the TV series 'Grey's Anatomy'
Scene from the TV series 'Grey's Anatomy'
In the crime biographical drama "Wisegal," Milano played Patty Montanari, a widow who makes a deal with the mafia to support her two sons. She then played the bold and independent Jessie in the comedy "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend," and starred as Jane in the drama "Sundays at Tiffany's."
Scene from the movie 'Sundays at Tiffany's'
Scene from the movie 'Sundays at Tiffany's'
In 2019, Milano played Gabby in the drama "Tempting Fate," and in 2020 starred in the family film "You're My Home."
Alyssa Milano in 2020
Alyssa Milano in 2020

Alyssa Milano's Personal Life

For years, the actress's romantic relationships were mostly brief flings. Her dating history reads like a Hollywood who's who. The first was Corey Haim, a Canadian actor. They met in 1987 when they were both young. Their young romance ended after three years when Corey introduced Alyssa to drugs - a battle he himself never won, ultimately dying at 38.
Alyssa Milano's first boyfriend - Corey Haim
Alyssa Milano's first boyfriend - Corey Haim
Milano then dated actor David Arquette, followed by New York Islanders hockey player Wayne McBean, before getting engaged to rising Boston actor Scott Wolf in 1993. But Scott vanished just a month before their wedding - no explanation, nothing. Milano suspected he'd only been using her for publicity. Years later, in 2019, she revealed that Scott didn't want kids, leading to two painful abortions.
Alyssa Milano and Scott Wolf
Alyssa Milano and Scott Wolf
Alyssa's first husband was Cinjun Tate, the frontman of the band Remy Zero. Her "Charmed" co-stars served as bridesmaids at their 1999 wedding, but the marriage crumbled within months. Milano cited irreconcilable differences.
Alyssa Milano and her first husband Cinjun Tate
Alyssa Milano and her first husband Cinjun Tate
During "Charmed," she began dating Brian Krause, who played her character Phoebe's boss. Problem was, Brian was married - and his wife caught him and Milano together. Brian divorced his wife, but he and Alyssa couldn't make it work long-term, splitting after two years.
On the set of 'Charmed'
On the set of 'Charmed'
Fans, obsessed with their beloved "Charmed" characters' love lives, speculated about Milano's off-screen romance with Julian McMahon, her on-screen passionate love interest. Rumors also swirled about Alyssa and Drew Fuller, who played Chris. But no matter how much fans wanted to see their favorites together off-screen, any romance stayed strictly on set.

Around this time, Milano met pop star Justin Timberlake, who's nine years younger. The young star confessed he'd had a poster of her as Samantha Micelli from "Who's the Boss?" in his bedroom, which deeply touched Milano. Justin had just broken up with Britney Spears, and Alyssa briefly consoled him. Milano also dated baseball player Barry Zito for about a year.
Alyssa Milano and Justin Timberlake dated
Alyssa Milano and Justin Timberlake dated
Milano's second husband is sports agent David Bugliari, whom she met in 2006. They got engaged two years later and officially tied the knot in 2009. The wedding celebration took place at David's parents' home in New Jersey.
The wedding of Alyssa Milano and David Bugliari
The wedding of Alyssa Milano and David Bugliari
In 2011, Alyssa and David became the happy parents of a boy, whom they named Milo Thomas. In 2014, his sister Elizabella Dylan was born. After her daughter was born, Milano declined to appear in the "Mistresses" sequel because she didn't want to leave her family for four months to shoot in Canada.
Alyssa Milano with children
Alyssa Milano with children
Alyssa Milano enjoys photography and charity work. She spends her free time with her pets. She has three dogs, three cats, 13 birds, and 8 horses. Milano is a vegetarian and actively participates in campaigns urging people to avoid meat products.

Milano is afraid of water, which has repeatedly caused problems on set. This was particularly problematic during filming of the "Witch's Tail" episode.

Alyssa suffers from dyslexia:
I stumbled on reading words on the teleprompter. Sir Arthur Gilgud, who worked with me on 'The Canterville Ghost,' gave me good advice. I asked how he remembers his monologues, and he answered - 'I rewrite them several times.' I use this method now all the time.
Alyssa has eight tattoos: a fairy on her knees in the grass on her lower abdomen, a heart on her lower back, rosary beads on her right shoulder, an angel with a cross and her ex-husband's initials on her left ankle, a garland of flowers around her right ankle, a snake biting its tail on her right wrist, the "om" sign on her left wrist, and a Chinese character on the back of her neck.
Part of Alyssa Milano's tattoos
Part of Alyssa Milano's tattoos
Milano had breast implants from 1992 to 2003, but had them removed due to health problems.

Milano adores baseball and roots for the Los Angeles Dodgers. She has a season pass for all the team's games.

In 2007, Milano launched a women's clothing line branded "Touch." She promoted the line in a unique way. The clothing line was written about on the Major League Baseball website and in her own baseball blog. Milano also roots for the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) and the Indianapolis Colts (NFL). She designs clothes with these clubs' symbols.
The actress is a big fan of baseball
The actress is a big fan of baseball
Alyssa Milano donated $250,000 to the "Global Organization for Neglected Tropical Diseases". She is also a goodwill ambassador for the UNICEF USA. In 2004, she started the "Trick or Treat" campaign under the aegis of UNICEF. By selling her photographic works, Alyssa raised $50,000 for South African children with HIV.

Alyssa Milano now

In 2021, Milano landed the lead role in "Brazen," a film adaptation of Nora Roberts' romantic thriller. She plays writer Grace, whose world gets turned upside down after her sister's murder. Grace takes on the investigation herself, ignoring the detective's warnings about the danger.
Alyssa Milano now
Alyssa Milano now
Milano's also set to play Sarah in the series "The Now," with two more films in the works: Ben Epstein's drama "Who Are You People" and "Alyssa Milano for Mayor," which she wrote herself.

She continues her work as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and participates in charitable projects for both UNICEF and PETA. Beyond acting and activism, she's raising her children and caring for her many pets: dogs, cats, horses, and birds. She also keeps up with her photography hobby.