Aida Turturro

First name was inspired by her father's love of opera. Admits she was shy as a child. After college, studied acting at Carnegie Hall under Robert X. Modica. Early in her acting career, supported herself between jobs by cleaning houses. Was encouraged to audition for The Sopranos by series star James Gandolfini, with whom she became friends when they appeared together in a Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire . When she met Keith Richards, she told CNN.com, the rocker was disappointed… Show more to learn that her tattoo wasn't real. Appeared in the 2005 film Romance & Cigarettes, featuring Gandolfini and directed by her cousin, actor John Turturro; she thinks of Turturro as a big brother. Serves as national spokesperson for the "Joint Effort Against Rheumatoid Arthritis" campaign (she was diagnosed with the disease at age 12). Campaigns for diabetes awareness (she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2001). As an adult, she went to Italy and connected with some of her Italian relatives. ~ Rovi

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