Biography of Toni Collette
Australian actress Toni Collette knew from an early age that she was destined for the screen. Pursuing her dream with fierce determination, she dropped out of school in 1991 to hit the theater stage and grabbed every film role she could find. When "Muriel's Wedding" premiered in 1992, Toni became a household name in Australia and set her sights on Hollywood domination.By the early 2000s, Hollywood had fully embraced her, putting her on screen with A-list stars. Toni has transformed her body for roles, conquered Broadway, tackled horror and sci-fi—doing whatever it takes to keep pushing her career forward.
Early Years
Toni Collette was born in Sydney on November 1, 1972. Her childhood wasn't exactly a fairy tale. Her parents were constantly working—her father drove trucks while her mother handled customer service. As the eldest child, Toni stepped up to care for her two younger brothers when her parents weren't around.In her spare time, when she wasn't studying or doing chores, Collette would watch old movie tapes until they practically fell apart. She'd get so lost in the stories that the outside world completely disappeared. It was then that she realized she wanted to become an actress.
Toni started participating in all school plays and, as a teenager, made her debut on the stage of a real city theater, playing a small role in the musical "Godspell."
Theater
In 1988, Toni broke the news to her parents that she was leaving school to work at the Australian Youth Theatre, where she'd been taking classes for a year. Her family supported her decision. In 1990, she played a notable role in the play "Operation Holy Mountain." In 1991, she was accepted into the National Institute of Dramatic Art on her first attempt, but stopped attending classes after a year and a half. The vivacious blonde was offered a role in Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, but the rehearsal schedule clashed with her classes. Toni chose work over school and never looked back—her performance as Sonya earned her the "Best Debut" award in 1992. The lead role in "Uncle Vanya" was played by actor Geoffrey Rush, whose work she had always admired.Australian Cinematography
Toni made her screen debut in 1990 with a small role in the series "A Country Practice." She appeared in a feature film two years later, starring in the drama "Spotswood," with the lead role played by Anthony Hopkins.Toni's breakthrough came with the starring role in the comedy-drama "Muriel's Wedding" in 1992. To nail the character, she packed on 18 kilograms in under two months. Her portrayal of the endearingly naive woman who believes in fairy tale romance earned Collette critical acclaim, audience love, a Golden Globe nomination, and an Australian Film Institute Award.
Producers had high hopes for the 1997 Australian romantic comedy "Diana & Me," where Toni played a character who shared her name with Princess Diana Spencer. However, Diana's tragic death shortly before the premiere led to the film's box office failure.
Hollywood Career
The actress successfully juggled careers in both her native Australia and Hollywood. The year 1999 was especially successful for her. First, she landed a role working with director Peter Greenaway on the film "8 1/2 Women." Playing a nun from a brothel, she shaved her head multiple times for the role.A few months later, the thriller "The Sixth Sense" by M. Night Shyamalan was released, instantly becoming a blockbuster. In this supernatural thriller, Toni played the mother of a boy with psychic abilities who's helped by a psychiatrist played by Bruce Willis. The role earned her not only a record-breaking million-dollar paycheck but also an Oscar nomination.
Perhaps that's why in 2005, Toni didn't hesitate when she learned she'd need to gain 24 pounds for her role in the comedy "In Her Shoes." She played the older sister to Cameron Diaz's character, despite actually being younger than her co-star.
Another major success in Collette's career was her role as the mother in the 2006 drama "Little Miss Sunshine." This road movie about an eccentric family's journey to a children's beauty pageant racked up over a dozen award nominations. Toni earned recognition too, scoring Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for her performance.
That same year, she starred in the drama "Tsunami," exploring life after the devastating Indian Ocean disaster. Toni was again nominated for a Golden Globe and, for the first time, for an Emmy.
In 2009, Collette began appearing in the series "United States of Tara." She played the main character, a woman suffering from dissociative identity disorder. Her character believed seven different women lived inside her mind. The actress played the lead role for three seasons. Her brilliant portrayal of a woman juggling ordinary family life with severe mental health challenges earned Collette an Emmy (2009) followed by a Golden Globe (2010).
Toni kept busy with new films and series releasing annually. She appeared in the drama "The Way Way Back" (2013), the thriller series "Hostages" (2013), and the adventure "Hector and the Search for Happiness" (2014).
In 2014, Collette broke her own vow and returned to Broadway after a 14-year absence for the musical "The Realistic Joneses." The following year at the Toronto Film Festival, the drama "Miss You Already" premiered, with Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette playing two friends confronting one's serious illness.
In 2016, the actress appeared in the action film "xXx: Return of Xander Cage" and the war drama "Imperium" with Daniel Radcliffe in the lead male role.
2018 brought a career-defining moment for Collette with director Ari Aster's horror debut, "Hereditary." She portrayed a miniature artist struggling to cope with devastating family tragedy. The film was screened at the Sundance Festival and received excellent reviews from critics and audiences. In interviews, she admitted that while she rarely watched horror films herself, she wouldn't turn down acting in the genre—especially if the plot felt unconventional.
In 2020, Toni starred in the surreal drama "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" and the sports comedy "Dream Horse." In 2021, Collette ventured into sci-fi territory, playing a spaceship commander bound for Mars in "Stowaway."
The year wrapped up with the premiere of Guillermo del Toro's thriller "Nightmare Alley," where, besides Toni, Bradley Cooper, Willem Dafoe, and Cate Blanchett also starred. The first day of filming threw the actors into an explicit scene together—an experience that bonded the cast and forged them into a tight-knit team.
Also in 2021, Toni stepped behind the camera to direct a film adaptation of Lily King's "Writers & Lovers."
In 2022, the comedy "Mafia Mamma" premiered, in which Toni was joined by Monica Bellucci, and the thriller "Pieces of Her."
Music
In 2006, Toni Collette embarked on a tour across Australia with her debut pop album "Beautiful Awkward Pictures," supported by the band The Finish. Having already showcased her impressive vocal chops on Broadway, she wasn't intimidated by the prospect of becoming a recording artist.In 2007, Collette and The Finish also performed at the Live Earth festival in Sydney.
Toni Collette's Personal Life
Toni Collette steered clear of on-set romances and turned down advances from numerous Hollywood heartthrobs.But after starring in Velvet Goldmine in 1998, Collette began dating her co-star Jonathan Rhys Meyers. The relationship lasted just one year.
In early 2003, Toni married musician Dave Galafassi in Australia. The couple welcomed daughter Sage Florence in 2008, followed by son Arlo Robert in 2011. The family split their time between Sydney and their Irish mansion.
Since Collette kept her family life private, news of their 2022 divorce shocked fans.
Toni has always championed causes close to her heart, participating in wildlife conservation festivals and advocating fiercely for animal rights.Toni Collette and David GalafassiWe are united in our decision and share unwavering respect and care for each other. Our children are our priority, and we will continue to thrive as a family, just in a different form. We're grateful for the space and love you give us as we navigate this transition peacefully. Thank you.
Toni Collette Now
In 2023, Collette starred in the sci-fi film "Mickey 17," originally set for spring 2024 release but pushed back to early 2025.Interesting Facts
- In 1983, 11-year-old Toni decided to test her acting chops by faking severe appendix pain. Her panicked parents rushed her to the hospital, where she kept up the performance so convincingly that doctors immediately scheduled surgery – and removed her perfectly healthy appendix.
Important Dates in Life
- 1988 – Began working at the Australian Youth Theatre
- 1990 – Played a role in the play "Operation Holy Mountain," had a cameo in the series "A Country Practice"
- 1991 – Enrolled in the National Institute of Dramatic Art
- 1992 – Played Sonya in the production "Uncle Vanya," received the Critics' Circle Award for theatrical debut, starred in the comedy-drama "Muriel's Wedding," received the Australian Film Institute Award for "Muriel's Wedding"
- 1999 – Starred in the thriller "The Sixth Sense," received an Oscar nomination for "The Sixth Sense"
- 2000 – Performed on Broadway in the musical "The Wild Party"
- 2003 – Married musician Dave Galafassi
- 2006 – Starred in the drama "Little Miss Sunshine," toured Australia with a debut music album
- 2008 – Gave birth to daughter Sage Florence
- 2009 – Starred in the series "United States of Tara," won an Emmy for "United States of Tara"
- 2010 – Won a Golden Globe for "United States of Tara"
- 2011 – Gave birth to son Arlo Robert
- 2014 – Returned to Broadway for the musical "The Realistic Joneses"
- 2018 – Starred in the horror film "Hereditary"
- 2019 – Appeared in the mystery film "Knives Out"
- 2021 – Starred in the sci-fi film "Stowaway," began working on a directorial debut based on Lily King's book "Writers & Lovers"