Boston University Notable Alumni

American actress, Marisa Tomei, gained fame when she starred in the 1992 film My Cousin Vinny. She received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for the film. She was also appreciated for in the movies In the Bedroom and The Wrestler. What Women Want, Anger Management, The Ides of March, Cyrus, The Big Short and Avengers: Endgame are some of her other notable films.

Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and talented actresses of her generation, Julianne Moore was included in Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world list in 2015. One of the most decorated actresses, Moore specializes in playing emotionally troubled women. A campaigner for gun control and gay rights, she has also written several children's books.

Faye Dunaway is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Diana Christensen in the 1976 satirical black comedy-drama film Network, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and greatest actresses of her generation, Faye Dunaway is also considered a symbol of the New Hollywood.

An Academy Award-winning actress, Geena Davis is also known for her work to fight gender bias, for which she was presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. An ardent archer, who vied for a semifinals spot in the U.S. Olympic archery team for the 2000 Summer Olympics, Geena supports the Women's Sports Foundation among other initiatives that support women.

Stephanie McMahon is an American businesswoman. As the chief brand officer of WWE, McMahon contributes immensely to the development of the entertainment company. Also a popular wrestling personality, she often appears on WWE's SmackDown and Raw brands. She is considered one of the most powerful women in wrestling business around the world.

Comedian Paul Reubens, or Pee-wee, began his career with the troupe The Groundlings. His popular stage show The Pee-wee Herman Show inspired the CBS show Pee-wee’s Playhouse; the movie Pee-wee's Big Adventure; and a Netflix film. His 1991 arrest due to indecent exposure changed his image to a great extent.

Michael Weatherly is an American actor, director, and producer. He is best known for portraying Anthony DiNozzo in the TV series NCIS. Michael Weatherly became involved in a controversy in 2019 when actress Eliza Dushku accused him of sexual harassment on the set of the legal drama television series Bull. Dushku was subsequently fired from the series.

Alfre Woodard is an American actress. Considered one of the most accomplished and versatile actresses of her generation, Woodard was named in The New York Times' The 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century list in 2020. Also a political activist, Woodard is credited with founding Artists for a New South Africa, which aims at advancing equality in South Africa.

Bill O'Reilly is an American author, journalist, and former TV host. The host of Fox News Channel's The O'Reilly Factor, O'Reilly played a major role in the success of Fox News Channel during his time at the channel. He is also credited with founding the No Spin News podcast, which he has been hosting since 2017.

Aaron Sorkin is an American filmmaker, playwright, and screenwriter. He won the Academy Award for writing the popular film The Social Network. Aaron Sorkin is credited with popularizing his trademark extended monologues and fast-paced dialogue in films. He is also known for using single tracking shots of long duration where multiple characters enter and exit the conversation.

Katya Zamolodchikova is the drag persona of Brian Joseph McCook. Katya is a drag queen, actor, author, and comedian. She has participated in RuPaul's Drag Race on Logo TV and has appeared in the web series UNHhhh. Regarded as one of the most powerful drag queens in America, she was named “Drag Royalty” by The Queerties in 2020.

Howard Stern is an American television and radio personality who played a major role in popularizing Transcendental Meditation in the United States. He claimed that the technique cured his mother of depression, helped him quit smoking, and beat obsessive-compulsive disorder. Howard Stern is also a prominent fund raiser for an animal rescue organization called North Shore Animal League America.

Peter Scanavino is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Det./ADA Dominick Carisi Jr. in the popular crime drama TV series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Before establishing himself as a noteworthy actor, Peter Scanavino worked in the kitchen of Blue Hill restaurant, thanks to his interest in cooking. However, his time in Blue Hill restaurant was brief.

Ryan Haddon is a seasoned journalist having worked for various publications and television networks. The daughter of a Vietnamese-Canadian actress, Ryan is popular for her the shows like NewsHour and Good Morning America. Her reporting focused on the entertainment domain. Haddon is married twice, first to actor, Christian Slater, and then to Marc Blucas. She has two children from each marriage.

John Cazale is best remembered for his memorable performance as Fredo Corleone in two The Godfather films. Fans also loved him in The Deer Hunter, The Conversation, and Dog Day Afternoon. He also performed in Broadway and off-Broadway plays. He met an untimely death at 42, due to lung cancer.