Heather Matarazzo is an American actress who captivated audiences from a young age with her powerful performances, most notably earning critical acclaim for her film debut in Welcome to the Dollhouse and later winning the hearts of a generation as Lilly Moscovitz in The Princess Diaries and its sequel. Born on November 10, 1982, Matarazzo grew up in Oyster Bay, New York, and discovered her passion for acting early, making her professional debut at just twelve years old. Her breakthrough role came in 1995 when she starred as Dawn Wiener in Welcome to the Dollhouse, a darkly comic coming-of-age film directed by Todd Solondz. Her raw, authentic portrayal of an awkward middle schooler earned her widespread praise, including an Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance, establishing her as a formidable talent in independent cinema.

Following her early success, Matarazzo quickly built a diverse filmography, taking on roles in high-profile projects such as The Devil’s Advocate alongside Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves, and appearing in 54 and All I Wanna Do. She expanded her range by joining the horror genre, playing Martha Meeks in Scream 3 and later reprising the role decades later in the 2022 legacy sequel Scream, a testament to her enduring connection with fans. Her most iconic role came in 2001 when she portrayed Lilly Moscovitz, the loyal and witty best friend of Anne Hathaway’s Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries, a performance that made her a beloved figure among young audiences and led to a sequel in 2004. Matarazzo also showcased her comedic talents in films like Sorority Boys and Saved!, and ventured into horror again with Hostel: Part II and the comedy Sisters with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Beyond the big screen, Matarazzo made significant contributions to television. She starred as Heather Wiseman on the CBS series Now and Again from 1999 to 2000, and had recurring roles on the iconic sitcom Roseanne in 1997, as well as on the series Exes & Ohs and The L Word in the mid-2000s. Her stage work includes a notable Broadway appearance in the 2001 revival of The Women. In her personal life, Matarazzo has been open about her sexuality, coming out as a lesbian in 2004 and later marrying musician Heather Turman in 2018, though the couple separated in 2019. She has also been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Heather Matarazzo remains a respected and versatile figure in entertainment, celebrated for her fearless choices and memorable performances that have left a lasting mark on both independent and mainstream cinema.