Biography for
Annie Parisse More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

31 July 1975, Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Birth Name

Anne Marie Cancelmi

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Spouse

Paul Sparks

(? - present) 1 child

Trivia

Graduated from Mercer Island High School, near Seattle, WA. [1993]

Attended Fordham University in New York City.

Parents: Louis G. "Lou" and Annette Cancelmi.

Siblings: Louis Cancelmi, an actor and writer, and Michael Cancelmi, Italian teacher.

Along with S. Epatha Merkerson, Milena Govich, Jeremy Sisto and Jerry Orbach, one of only five "Law & Order" (1990) cast members to play a different character in an episode before joining the cast in a later season. (Michael Imperioli also played multiple roles, but was not a permanent addition to the cast as Det. Nick Falco.).

Nominated for a 2007 Drama Desk Award for her performance in "The Internationalist" (Outstanding Actress in a Play).

Sister-in-law of Elisabeth Waterston, Katherine Waterston, Graham Waterston.

Grandparents: Harry J., Sr., and Mary Smetana Cancelmi.

Nominated for a 2009 Lucille Lortel Award for her performance in the off-Broadway play, "Becky Shaw" (Outstanding Lead Actress).

Has two uncles, Norbert A. Cancelmi, of Bethel Park, and Harry J. Cancelmi, Jr., of Waynesburg, Greene County, Pennsylvania, and three cousins.

She took her stage name from her late great-grandmother, Anna Maria Parisse, who lived in Washington, the wife of her great-grandfather Gaetano Cancelmi.

Her godfather is her uncle Harry J., Jr., who is a defense attorney.

Her mother is a teacher at Saint Kilian Parish School in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania.

Her father is a senior executive with Alaska Air and her mother is a first-grade teacher at Newport Heights Elementary.

Teacher of Acting for the Camera at the Fordham University Theatre Program.

Her paternal grandfather was an Agent for the Pennsylvania Department of Justice (1934-1941) and a Western Pennsylvania District Supervisor of the State Parole Board (1942-1968).

Had a child in October 2009.

Personal Quotes

When I first became an actress, I expected to do regional and classical theater; I just love the whole creative process.

I'm usually cast as the sassy, brassy best friend.