CINEFILER

Toni Collette

Born
November 1, 1972
Toni Collette Galafassi (November 1, 1972) is an Australian actress, producer, singer, and songwriter. Known for her work in television and independent films, she has received various accolades throughout her career, including a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and two British Academy Film Awards. After making her film debut in Spotswood (1992) and being nominated for the AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, her breakthrough role came in the comedy-drama Muriel's Wedding (1994), which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination and won her the AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Collette achieved greater international recognition for her role in the psychological thriller film The Sixth Sense (1999), and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She received BAFTA Award nominations for her performances in the romantic comedy About a Boy (2002) and the comedy-drama Little Miss Sunshine (2006). Collette's films include diverse genres, such as the period comedy Emma (1996), the action thriller Shaft (2000), the period drama The Hours (2002), the romantic drama Japanese Story (2003), the comedies In Her Shoes (2005) and The Way, Way Back (2013), the horror films Krampus (2015) and Hereditary (2018), and the mystery film Knives Out (2019). Her Broadway performances include the lead role in The Wild Party (2000), which earned her a Tony Award nomination. In television, she starred in the Showtime comedy-drama series United States of Tara (2008–2011) and the Netflix drama miniseries Unbelievable (2019). For the former, she won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. She has won five AACTA Awards, from eight nominations. Collette married Dave Galafassi, drummer of the band Gelbison, in January 2003. The couple have two children together. As the lead singer of Toni Collette & the Finish, she wrote all 11 tracks of their sole album, Beautiful Awkward Pictures (2006). The band toured Australia, but have not performed nor released any new material after 2007. In 2017, Collette and Jen Turner co-founded the film production company Vocab Films.
Known For
Knives Out
(2019)
Joni Thrombey
xXx: Return of Xander Cage
(2017)
Jane Marke
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
(2023)
Agatha Gillman (voice)
The Sixth Sense
(1999)
Lynn Sear
Hereditary
(2018)
Annie Graham
Mary and Max
(2009)
Mary (voice)
Nightmare Alley
(2021)
Zeena the Seer
The Boxtrolls
(2014)
Lady Cynthia Portley-Rind (voice)
Krampus
(2015)
Sarah Engel
Mafia Mamma
(2023)
Kristin
Hitchcock
(2012)
Peggy Robertson
Shaft
(2000)
Diane Palmieri
Unlocked
(2017)
Emily Knowles
Velvet Buzzsaw
(2019)
Gretchen
In Her Shoes
(2005)
Rose Feller
Tammy
(2014)
Missi
Full Filmography
Acting
Spotswood
(1992)
Wendy Robinson
The Thief and the Cobbler
(1993)
Nurse / Mad Holy Old Witch (voice)
Muriel's Wedding
(1994)
Muriel Heslop
Emma
(1996)
Harriet Smith
The Pallbearer
(1996)
Cynthia
Cosi
(1996)
Julie
Lilian's Story
(1996)
Young Lilian Singer
Clockwatchers
(1997)
Iris Chapman
Diana & Me
(1997)
Diana Spencer
The James Gang
(1997)
Julia Armstrong
Velvet Goldmine
(1998)
Mandy Slade
The Boys
(1998)
Michelle
The Sixth Sense
(1999)
Lynn Sear
8 ½ Women
(1999)
Griselda
Shaft
(2000)
Diane Palmieri
The Magic Pudding
(2000)
Meg Bluegum (voice)
Hotel Splendide
(2000)
Kath
Shaft: Still the Man
(2000)
Self
Dinner with Friends
(2001)
Beth
About a Boy
(2002)
Fiona Brewer
The Hours
(2002)
Kitty
Changing Lanes
(2002)
Michelle
Dirty Deeds
(2002)
Sharon
Japanese Story
(2003)
Sandy Edwards
Connie and Carla
(2004)
Carla
The Last Shot
(2004)
Emily French
In Her Shoes
(2005)
Rose Feller
Little Miss Sunshine
(2006)
Sheryl Hoover
The Night Listener
(2006)
Donna D. Logand
The Dead Girl
(2006)
Arden
Like Minds
(2006)
Sally
Evening
(2007)
Nina Mars
Towelhead
(2008)
Melina Hines
The Black Balloon
(2008)
Maggie Mollison
Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger
(2008)
Mary
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
(2008)
Self (uncredited)
Mary and Max
(2009)
Mary (voice)
Foster
(2011)
Zooey
Fright Night
(2011)
Jane Brewster
Jesus Henry Christ
(2012)
Patricia Herman
Mental
(2012)
Shaz
Hitchcock
(2012)
Peggy Robertson
Storm Surfers 3D
(2012)
Narrator
The Way Way Back
(2013)
Pam
Enough Said
(2013)
Sarah
Lucky Them
(2013)
Ellie Klug
A Long Way Down
(2014)
Maureen Thompson
Hector and the Search for Happiness
(2014)
Agnes
Tammy
(2014)
Missi
The Boxtrolls
(2014)
Lady Cynthia Portley-Rind (voice)
Glassland
(2015)
Jean
Miss You Already
(2015)
Milly
Blinky Bill the Movie
(2015)
Beryl / Cheryl (voice)
Krampus
(2015)
Sarah Engel
Imperium
(2016)
Angela Zampino
The 4%: Film's Gender Problem
(2016)
Self
The Yellow Birds
(2017)
Amy Bartle
Jasper Jones
(2017)
Ruth Bucktin
xXx: Return of Xander Cage
(2017)
Jane Marke
Fun Mom Dinner
(2017)
Kate
Madame
(2017)
Anne Fredericks
Unlocked
(2017)
Emily Knowles
Making Muriel
(2017)
Herself
Please Stand By
(2018)
Scottie
Hearts Beat Loud
(2018)
Leslie
Birthmarked
(2018)
Catherine
Hereditary
(2018)
Annie Graham
Let's Dance
(2018)
Segment: "The Heebie-Jeebies"
Velvet Buzzsaw
(2019)
Gretchen
Knives Out
(2019)
Joni Thrombey
I'm Thinking of Ending Things
(2020)
Mother
Stowaway
(2021)
Marina Barnett
Dream Horse
(2021)
Jan Vokes
Nightmare Alley
(2021)
Zeena the Seer
The Estate
(2022)
Macey
Mafia Mamma
(2023)
Kristin
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
(2023)
Agatha Gillman (voice)
Mickey 17
(2025)
Gwen
Production
Data provided by TMDB