Jennifer Tilly

The Canadian-American, actress and poker player, born on the 16th of September, also accomplished the Herculean task of winning a bracelet at the World Series of Poker Ladies’ Event. She has three siblings – Steve, Meg, and Rebecca. Post the divorce of her parents she was brought up by John Ward, her stepfather, and her mother. She spent her childhood at the rural Texada Island of British Columbia. Tilly headed to Victoria and had her schooling done in the Belmont High School. She is also the holder of a Bachelor degree in Theater from the Stephen’s College, Missouri.

On Hill Street Blues, Tilly found work in small parts and also a recurring cameo playing the role of Gina Srignoli. The character was the widow of a mobster who apparently gets involved romantically with a detective. She also played the seductive Kandi Pearson in an episode of ‘Cheers’. She also appeared in episodes of ‘Moonlighting’, The Webbers and she is known most for her significant role in the comedy show, “Let it Ride”. Her major role in a film was ‘The Fabulous Baker Boys’ in which she portrayed a singing waitress with utmost ease. The role was written exclusively by the writers. She earned herself an Oscar Award nomination for the Best Supporting Actress for her stupendous role as a pathetic actor in Bullets over Bombay, only to eventually lose it.

She has starred in over 60 major movies including ‘Liar Liar’ opposite Jim Carrey, with her most recent major movie being ‘Curse Of Chucky’ portraying the wife of a terrorizing doll. She is now a part of the comedy revue Celebrity Autobiography. Tilly also won a World Series of Poker bracelet in an event in Texas beating 600 other opponents. She has also made appearances in the GSN Poker Royale series and the Celebrity Poker Showdown. She is known for her ravishing appearances during the poker games. However her opinion is that “When people play poker, they don’t care.” Tilly’s live tournament assets reached a mammoth $890,000.

She had been married to The Simpsons producer Sam Simon before parting ways in 1991 post which she has been in a relationship with Phil Laak, a poker player since 2004. Her voice-over for various films like ‘Monsters Inc.’, Stuart Little, and much more have earned her lots of appreciation. “Everyone said that if you want to be the real actor, go to New York. If you want to sell out, go to L.A., and I thought- I want to sell out!” was what Tilly had to say on her pursuit of becoming an actress.