Celebrity Movie Blog

Who is Toni Collette?

Toni Collette was born Antonia Collette on the 1st of November, 1972, in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia. At eleven years of age, Collette was bored and wanted attention, so she faked a case of appendicitis. Despite tests showing that everything was fine and normal, Collette was so convincing in her portrayal that the doctors removed her appendix. Collette studied at both the Australian Theatre for Young People and the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Australia. Collette first came to the Australian public’s attention in 1994 when she gained 18 kilograms (40 pounds) in seven weeks for the role of Muriel in Muriel’s Wedding. Two years later, Collette appeared in Cosi, another highly regarded Australian comedy. In 1998, she appeared in the gritty The Boys as Michelle. It was in 1999, however, that Collette gained her massive break in the US by landing the role of Lynn Sear in The Sixth Sense. She was nominated for an Oscar for that role. Since then, she has appeared in a number of films, including About a Boy, Dirty Deeds, The Hours, the stunning Japanese Story, and In Her Shoes, sharing the spotlight with Cameron Diaz. Collette has also garnered much respect for her Broadway work, including a Tony Award nomination. In 2006, she also gained a Golden Globe nomination for her role of Sheryl in Little Miss Sunshine. Collette’s latest project is her album Beautiful Awkward Pictures under the name Toni Collette & the Finish.