kids encyclopedia robot

Robin Tunney facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Robin Tunney
RobinTunneyHWOFFeb2013.jpg
Tunney in 2013
Born (1972-06-19) June 19, 1972 (age 53)
Occupation Actress
Years active 1991–present
Spouse(s)
Bob Gosse
(m. 1997; div. 2006)
Partner(s) Nicky Marmet (2012–present)
Children 2
Relatives

Robin Tunney (born June 19, 1972) is an American actress. She is well-known for her roles in popular TV shows like Prison Break and The Mentalist. Robin started her acting career in movies such as Encino Man (1992). She became famous for her parts in Empire Records (1995) and The Craft (1996).

Robin also won an award called the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her acting in the movie Niagara, Niagara (1997). She has starred in many other films, including End of Days (1999) and Vertical Limit (2000). More recently, she appeared in the TV series The Fix in 2019.

Early Life and Background

Robin Tunney was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her father, Patrick, sold cars, and her mother, Cathy, was a bartender. Robin's father was from Straide, Ireland. Her mother's parents were from Clare Island, Ireland. This means Robin has strong Irish roots.

She grew up in Orland Park, a suburb near Chicago. Robin was raised in the Irish Catholic faith. She went to Carl Sandburg High School and Saint Ignatius College Prep. She also studied at the Chicago Academy for the Arts.

Robin Tunney's Acting Career

Robin Tunney moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. She quickly landed roles in TV shows like Class of '96 and Law & Order. In 1995, she appeared in the movie Empire Records.

A big step in her career was playing Sarah Bailey in the horror-fantasy film The Craft (1996). She starred alongside Fairuza Balk and Neve Campbell. This movie was a huge success, earning $55 million. Robin then starred in the independent film Niagara, Niagara (1997). Her performance earned her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice International Film Festival. She also acted with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie End of Days in 1999.

Television Success

In 2004, Robin appeared in the first episode of the medical drama House. She played a kindergarten teacher with a special condition. From 2005 to 2006, she played Veronica Donovan in the first season of Prison Break. This show was very popular.

One of her most famous roles began in 2008. She played Teresa Lisbon in the TV series The Mentalist. This show lasted for seven years, making her a familiar face to many viewers. In 2018, she starred with Nicolas Cage in the thriller movie Looking Glass. In 2019, she was the lead in the legal drama series The Fix.

Beyond Acting: Poker and Charity

Robin Tunney also enjoys playing poker. In 2006, she won her table in a celebrity poker tournament called Celebrity Poker Showdown. She made it to the final round and finished second. She won $200,000 for her chosen charity, the Children's Health Fund. This shows her commitment to helping others.

Personal Life

Robin Tunney was married to producer and director Bob Gosse from 1997 to 2006. She was later engaged to writer and director Andrew Dominik for a short time. In 2012, she got engaged to Nicky Marmet while on vacation in Rio de Janeiro. Robin and Nicky have two children together.

Filmography

Movies

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Encino Man Ella
1995 Empire Records Debra
1996 The Craft Sarah Bailey
1997 Julian Po Sarah
Niagara, Niagara Marcy
1998 Montana Kitty
1999 End of Days Christine York
2000 Supernova Danika Lund
Vertical Limit Annie Garrett
2001 Investigating ... Zoe
2002 Cherish Zoe Adler
The Secret Lives of Dentists Laura
2003 The In-Laws Angela Harris
Abby Singer Herself Cameo appearance
2004 Paparazzi Abby Laramie
Shadow of Fear Wynn French
2005 The Zodiac Laura Parish
Runaway Carly
2006 Open Window Izzy
Hollywoodland Leonore Lemmon
The Darwin Awards Zoe
2008 August Melanie Hanson
The Burning Plain Laura
2009 Passenger Side Theresa
2012 See Girl Run Emmie
2015 My All-American Gloria Steinmark
2018 Looking Glass Maggie
Monster Party Roxanne Dawson
2020 Horse Girl Agatha Kaine
2025 By Design Irene

Television Shows

Year Title Role Notes
1991 CBS Schoolbreak Special Brooke Episode: "But He Loves Me"
Life Goes On Mary Episode: "Corky's Travels"
1992 Perry Mason: The Case of Reckless Romeo Sandra Turner Television film
1993 Class of '96 Linda Miller 5 episodes
Frogs! Hannah Television film
Cutters Deborah Hart 5 episodes
JFK: Reckless Youth Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy Television miniseries
Dream On Marybeth Episode: "Silent Night, Holy Cow Part II"
1994 Law & Order Jill Templeton Episode: "Mayhem"
1996 Riders of the Purple Sage Elizabeth 'Bess' Erne Television film
1998 Rescuers: Stories of Courage: Two Families Melvina 'Malka' Csizmadia Television film
Naked City: Justice with a Bullet Merri Coffman Television film
2003 The Twilight Zone Edie Durant Episode: "Developing"
2004 House Rebecca Adler Episode: "Pilot"
2005–2006 Prison Break Veronica Donovan 23 episodes
2007 Robot Chicken Madame Razz / Entrapta / Carole Demas / Skin Graft Patient (voice) Episode: "Slaughterhouse on the Prairie"
2008–2015 The Mentalist Teresa Lisbon 151 episodes
2008 The Two Mr. Kissels Nancy Kissel Television film
2016 Love Waverly Episode: "The End of the Beginning"
2018 Insatiable Brandylynn Huggens Episode: "Miss Bareback Buckaroo"
2019 The Fix Maya Travis 10 episodes
2023 Dear Edward Jane Adler 4 episodes

Music Videos

Year Title Artist Notes
1999 "Swingin'" Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2003 "Breathe In" Frou Frou

Theatre Performances

Year Production Role Notes
2016 Smokefall Violet MCC Theater

Awards and Nominations

Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1997 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Actress The Craft Nominated
MTV Movie Awards Best Fight (shared with Fairuza Balk) Won
Venice Film Festival Best Actress Niagara, Niagara Won
1998 Gotham Awards Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated
1999 Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Lead Nominated
2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Actress – Action Vertical Limit Nominated
2006 Boston Film Festival Best Actress Open Window Won
2015 People's Choice Awards Favorite Crime Drama TV Actress The Mentalist Nominated

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Robin Tunney para niños

kids search engine
Robin Tunney Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.