Rosanna Lisa Arquette was born in New York City to a show business family. She was the first-born child of five in the third generation of the Arquette acting clan. Her grandfather Cliff Arquette played “Charley Weaver” on “The Jack Paar Show” and was a regular on the original “Hollywood Squares.” Her father, character actor Lewis Arquette, was well known as “J.D. Pickett” on “The Waltons.” Her siblings Patricia Arquette, David Arquette, Alexis Arquette and Richmond Arquette all followed her into the family tradition as accomplished working actors.
Rosanna began acting as a child while growing up in a bohemian atmosphere of gypsy-like travel and communes. Her mother Mardi was a poet, political activist and therapist who deeply influenced Rosanna’s compassionate world-view.
Rosanna started working professionally as a teenager and has never stopped. Throughout her career she has worked with some of Hollywood and Independent Cinema’s most important and influential directors including, Blake Edwards (S.O.B.), John Sayles (Baby It’s You), Lawrence Kasden (Silverado), Martin Scorsese (After Hours, New York Stories), Luc Besson (The Big Blue), Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction), David Cronenberg (Crash), Vincent Gallo (Buffalo 66) and Alison Anders (Sugar Town). She has appeared in over 70 films, which have earned over $450 million in domestic box office sales.
Rosanna won the British Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her star-making performance opposite Madonna in Susan Seidleman’s 1985 hit, “Desperately Seeking Susan.”
She was nominated for an Emmy for her strong performance in the television adaptation of Norman Mailer’s, “The Executioner’s Song” opposite Tommy Lee Jones. Rosanna also starred in the acclaimed TV movie adaptations of “Song of the Morning Star“ and “Johnny Belinda.”
Rosanna Arquette starred in the ABC series “What About Brian” from executive producers J.J. Abrams and Dana Stevens.
She has guest starred in numerous television series such as “Will & Grace”, “The Practice”, “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”, “The L Word”, “Royal Pains’” HBO’s Emmy winning show, “Girls”, Showtime’s hit, “Ray Donovan” and NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU”.
Rosanna stars in the upcoming feature film “Lovesong” (2016) directed by So Yong Kim with Jena Malone, Riley Keough and Brooklyn Decker.
Rosanna Arquette’s vast experience in the world of film and television has inspired her to explore and expand her talent as a filmmaker into the realm of directing and producing with two highly acclaimed documentaries, 2002’s “Searching for Debra Winger” and 2005’s “All We Are Saying.” She is currently developing projects for both television and film through her company, Flower Child Productions.
She’s hosted Saturday Night Live and has appeared on the cover of many magazines throughout the years.
Rosanna Arquette is a busy actress and filmmaker whose passion for her work is matched only by her passion for her daughter Zoe Bleu Sidel, her family and her work as a breast cancer awareness advocate.
