Who is Heather Matarazzo?
Heather Matarazzo is an American actress known for her compelling portrayals of quirky, unconventional characters. She rose to fame with her breakout role as Dawn Wiener in the 1995 indie film Welcome to the Dollhouse, which earned her an Independent Spirit Award.
She later gained mainstream recognition for her role as Lilly Moscovitz, the best friend of Anne Hathaway’s character in The Princess Diaries series. Matarazzo has built a career on playing emotionally complex roles in both film and television, and she’s also known for her outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness.
Heather Matarazzo Biography
Born on November 10, 1982, in Oyster Bay, New York, Heather Christina Marie Matarazzo was adopted by Camille and Ray Matarazzo, an Italian-American couple. Her biological parents were of Irish descent, with her father hailing from Knock, County Mayo, Ireland. Heather began acting at age six and landed her first major role at 12 in Welcome to the Dollhouse. Her career spans decades, with notable appearances in Scream 3, Saved!, Hostel: Part II, and TV shows like The L Word, Grey’s Anatomy, and Now and Again.
Heather Matarazzo Net Worth
Heather Matarazzo has an estimated net worth of $455,000. While not among Hollywood’s highest earners, her career reflects a commitment to meaningful roles and independent projects over blockbuster fame.
Heather Matarazzo Height
Matarazzo stands at 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters) tall.
Heather Matarazzo Age
As of 2025, Matarazzo is 42 years old, having been born in 1982.
Heather Matarazzo Education
Heather attended Oyster Bay High School and later studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City. She also spent time at the BOCES Cultural Arts Center, focusing on musical theater.
Heather Matarazzo Husband
Heather is married to Heather Turman, a comedian and screenwriter. The couple met while working on the film Stuck in 2016 and got married on November 11, 2018.
Heather Matarazzo Children
Matarazzo does not have any children as of now. She and her wife, comedian and writer Heather Turman, have been married since November 11, 2018. While they don’t have kids, they do share a beloved dog whom they affectionately refer to as their “baby”.
Heather Matarazzo Instagram
Matarazzo is active on Instagram under the handle , where she shares personal reflections, advocacy messages, and glimpses into her creative life.
Heather Matarazzo Birthday
Matarazzo celebrates her birthday on November 10 each year.
Heather Matarazzo’s Siblings
Matarazzo has a younger brother named Mark Matarazzo, who works in the entertainment industry as a production assistant and has experience on various film and TV sets. While Heather has shared occasional details about her family, she generally keeps her personal life private.
Also worth noting: despite sharing the same last name, Heather Matarazzo is not related to Stranger Things actor Gaten Matarazzo. The confusion stems from the fact that Gaten’s mother is also named Heather Matarazzo, but she is a different person entirely.
Heather Matarazzo Ethnicity
Heather is of 100% Irish descent by birth. She was adopted and raised by an Italian-American family, which is how she got her surname.
Heather Matarazzo Nationality
Heather Matarazzo holds dual nationality: she is a citizen of both the United States and the Republic of Ireland.
She was born in Oyster Bay, New York, and adopted by an Italian-American family, but her biological parents were of Irish descent—her father was from Knock, County Mayo, Ireland.
Heather Matarazzo Family
Heather was adopted by Camille and Ray Matarazzo, who raised her in a Catholic Italian-American household. Her father worked as a data processing manager, and her mother was a homemaker.
Heather Matarazzo Birthsign
Heather’s zodiac sign is Scorpio, known for intensity, passion, and emotional depth.
Heather Matarazzo Parents
Heather’s adoptive parents are Camille Matarazzo and Ray Matarazzo. Her biological father was Pat Corley, from Knock, Ireland.
Heather Matarazzo Movies
| Title | Year | Role | Genre/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome to the Dollhouse | 1995 | Dawn Wiener | Indie drama; won Independent Spirit Award |
| The Devil’s Advocate | 1997 | Barbara | Thriller; supporting role |
| 54 | 1998 | Grace | Drama; set in Studio 54 |
| All I Wanna Do (Strike!) | 1998 | Momo | Teen comedy |
| Sorority Boys | 2002 | Katie | Comedy |
| Saved! | 2004 | Tia | Satirical teen drama |
| Hostel: Part II | 2007 | Lorna | Horror; cult following |
| Sisters | 2015 | Betty | Horror thriller |
| The Princess Diaries | 2001 | Lilly Moscovitz | Teen comedy; best friend to Mia |
| The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement | 2004 | Lilly Moscovitz | Sequel; continued role |
| Scream 3 | 2000 | Martha Meeks | Horror franchise |
| Scream | 2022 | Martha Meeks | Return to role |
| The Estate | 2020 | Mary | Dark comedy |
| The Fiddling Horse | 2019 | Rosalina Truman | Comedy-drama |
| Booger | 2023 | Ellen | Indie drama |
| You’re Not Supposed to Be Here | 2023 | Carla | TV movie; thriller |
| Wish | 2023 | Flying Woman (voice) | Animated film |
| Paint | 2025 | Jane | Drama |
| Wednesday | 2025 | Judi Spannegel | Netflix series; 3 episodes |
| Smothered by Mothers | 2019 | Cassandra | Comedy-drama |
Heather Matarazzo is known for portraying emotionally complex, often socially marginalized characters. Her fearless performances have earned her critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.