Cathy Moriarty, born on November 29, 1960, in New York City, is an American actress whose remarkable career has spanned five decades, earning her critical acclaim and a lasting legacy in Hollywood. She burst onto the screen with a stunning debut opposite Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese's classic Raging Bull (1980), where her portrayal of Vikki LaMotta, the wife of troubled boxer Jake LaMotta, garnered nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, and the British Academy Film Award. This extraordinary start set the stage for a versatile career that would see her collaborate with some of the most prolific directors in the industry, including Sidney Lumet, Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, James Mangold, and Richard Ayoade.

Following her breakout role, Moriarty continued to build an impressive filmography across a wide range of genres. She starred in comedies like Neighbors (1981) alongside John Belushi and Kindergarten Cop (1990) with Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as dramas such as White of the Eye (1987) and Cop Land (1997). Her versatility shone in films like Soapdish (1991), Matinee (1993), and the family hit Casper (1995). She also took on memorable roles in cult classics like But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) and appeared in major studio productions such as Analyze That (2002) and The Bounty Hunter (2010). Later in her career, she delivered acclaimed performances in The Double (2013) and Patti Cake$ (2017), contributing to films that have collectively grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

Beyond the big screen, Moriarty has been a steady presence on television, appearing in a variety of series that showcase her range. She guest-starred on Tales from the Crypt (1992) and lent her voice to the animated series Hey Arnold! (1997–1999). She became a familiar face to crime drama fans with multiple appearances on the Law & Order franchise, including Law & Order (2001), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2005–2014), and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2010). More recently, she has taken on roles in I'm Dying Up Here (2017), This Is Us (2018), The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018), City on a Hill (2019), and the animated series HouseBroken (2021). In addition to her acting work, Moriarty is a dedicated activist for the autistic community, serving as the national spokesperson for Autism United and an advocate for both Autism Speaks and the autism rights movement, using her platform to raise awareness and support for individuals on the spectrum.