Debi Mazar
A quintessential New York character actress with a distinctive Bronx accent who brought authenticity and edge to roles from mob wives to Hollywood publicists.
Born 1964 (age 62)·American actress·Birthday: August 13·Baby Boomers
Biography
Debi Mazar burst onto the screen with an undeniable, street-smart presence that immediately typed her—and then saw her transcend that type. Her breakthrough as the stylish, fast-talking friend in Martin Scorsese's 'Goodfellas' was no accident; she brought a genuine, lived-in quality to the part, drawn from her own New York upbringing and early work as a makeup artist in the city's vibrant club scene. Mazar parlayed that authenticity into a long career, stealing scenes in films like 'Batman Forever' and 'Empire Records' and landing lead roles on television series such as 'Civil Wars.' She reinvented herself again alongside her husband, chef Gabriele Corcos, on the cooking show 'Extra Virgin,' blending her sharp humor with a passion for Italian family life. Her journey is one of self-made versatility, proving that a powerful persona can open many doors.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Debi was born in 1964, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Debi Was Born
The biggest hits of 1964
#1 Movie
Mary Poppins
Best Picture
My Fair Lady
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Debi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1964Born
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1969Started school
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1977Became a teenager
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Could drive
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1982Could vote
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Turned 21
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1994Turned 30
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 40
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 50
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 60
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 62 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Delivered a memorable, scene-stealing performance in Martin Scorsese's classic film 'Goodfellas'.
- Starred as publicist Shauna Roberts on HBO's hit series 'Entourage' for many seasons.
- Co-created and starred with her husband in the Cooking Channel series 'Extra Virgin,' which celebrated food and family.
Did You Know?
Before acting, she worked as a makeup artist for celebrities like Madonna, appearing in her 'Papa Don't Preach' video.
She and her husband, Gabriele Corcos, restored a centuries-old farmhouse in Tuscany, which became the setting for their show.
Mazar provided the voice for the character Ivy in the animated series 'Harley Quinn'.
“I'm a character actress, and I'm proud of it. I bring the flavor.”
