Anne DeSalvo

ANNE DESALVO has enjoyed a prolific career that has encompassed creative work as actor, director, writer, producer and teacher. She studied in New York with Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler and quickly became a notable Broadway and Off-Broadway performer, originating roles in landmark plays written by Chris Durang (“The Nature and Purpose of the Universe”), Albert Innaurato (“The Transfiguration of Benno Blimpie”) and Peter Parnell (“The Sorrows of Stephen”) to name a few.

She also did revivals of “House of Blue Leaves”, “Lovers And Other Strangers” as well as singing in the musical adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s “Godbless You Mr. Rosewater” and Marilyn Miller’s spoof “Girls, Girls, Girls” at The Public Theatre. Anne won an Obie Award and a Showbusiness Award for Distinguished Performance for her legendary performance of Lucille Pompi opposite Danny Aiello in Albert Innaurato’s Broadway hit, “Gemini”. She also received critical acclaim opposite Harvey Fierstein in his play “Safe Sex” also on Broadway.

Anne performed in a one-woman play, “The Moaner,” written by Susan Sandler at the Westbank Theatre. She appeared in the world premiere of A.R. Gurney’s “Human Events” at the Georgestreet Playhouse. She re-invented the role of Lucille in the musical version of “Gemini”, also playing the role of Maria Callas, in its pre-Broadway try-out (Barrymore Award Nomination Outstanding Actress in a Musical) at Philadelphia’s Prince Theater.

"Arthur" with Dudley Moore

Anne continued her stage career in L.A. She appeared in the musical, “Enter Laughing” at the Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills. Anne has also performed in the musical version of “A Midsummer Nite’s Dream” with Mare Winningham and Cleavon Little at the Ford Theater, as well as “Why The Beachboys Are Like Opera” at the Met Theatre. Anne won the 1992 Best Actress Award at the Pasadena Playhouse for her hilarious performance in “Lend Me A Tenor.” She appeared in “Three Grooms and A Bride” at the Coast Playhouse and “Blackout” at the Egyptian Arena Theater. Anne was also seen in the Obie Award-winning “The Oak Tree” at the Odyssey.

Other notable theater credits include “The Miser” at Yale, the world premieres of “Human Voices” at the Spoleto Festival as well as Steven Schwartz’s “Working” at The Goodman Theatre. Anne also played Sister Aloyious in “Doubt” at the Judy Bayley Theatre in Las Vegas.

Anne has starred in several acclaimed films including “Stardust Memories” with Woody Allen, “Arthur” with Dudley Moore, “My Favorite Year with Peter O’Toole, “Perfect” with John Travolta, “Compromising Positions” with Susan Sarandon, “Burglar” with Whoopi Goldberg and “Taking Care of Business” with Charles Grodin and Jim Belushi.

"Perfect" with John Travolta

Other films encompass work with some of the finest directors, including, Joel Schumacher (“D.C. Cab”), Alan Pakula (“Starting Over”), Paul Morissey (“Spike of Bensonhurst”) and Diane Keaton (“Unstrung Heroes”). She’s also done countless independent films.

Anne went on to do several notable television movies, including USA’s “Dead In The Water” starring with Terry Hatcher and Brian Brown, directed by Bill Condon (“Dreamgirls”), HBO’s “Hi-Life” opposite Charles Durning, “The Ordeal of Patty Hearst”, “The Amy Fisher Story”, “Almost A Woman” (Masterpiece Theatre) , “Jane Doe” and the Emmy-Award winning “The Last Tenant” for which she received accolades as Lee Strasberg’s daughter. She has also been seen in Hallmark’s “Citizen Jane” and “Wishing Well”.

Anne has also guest starred in scores of notable television series including “Two Broke Girls”, “The Closer”, “CSI Miami“, “Entourage”, “Monk”, “Sex And The City”, “American Dreams”, “Judging Amy”, “Felicity”, “Chicago Hope”, “X-Files”, “The Tracy Ullman Show”, “Northern Exposure”, “Ellen”, “Thirty Something”, “Dream On”, “Cosby” and has had recurring roles on “L.A. Law”, “Taxi”, “Cheers” and “Wiseguys”. She also was a series regular in “Man In The Family” starring opposite Ray Sharkey.

In the past few years, Anne has taken her hand to writing. She produced, wrote, directed and starred in the critically acclaimed comedy short, “Women Without Implants”. It aired on Lifetime and played in festivals around the world. It was nominated for several awards including a Cable Ace Award for Anne as Best Actress.

"Taking Care of Business" with Charles Grodin

"Burglar" with John Goodman

She then went on to write and direct her first feature, “The Amati Girls” starring Mercedes Ruehl and Cloris Leachman. It won Best Film, Best Director and also Best Screenplay at The Marco Island Film Festival. “The Amati Girls” also won the Award of Excellence from the Heartland Film Festival, and the Award of Excellence from the Film Advisory Board. It also took Best Film at The Los Angeles Italian Film Festival.

Anne has appeared on numerous talk shows including “The Tonight Show”, “Entertainment Tonight”, and “Kathy & Regis” to name but a few.

She was invited into The Actor’s Studio in 1984 as a Lifetime Member. She has served as a National Officer on the Board of Directors of SAG/AFTRA and has been part of the faculty at USC Film School and The Lee Strasberg Institute. She teaches Master classes in LA, NYC, and Saudi Arabia.

Anne’s one-woman show, MAMMA ROMA, based on the life of legendary Italian actress, Anna Magnani, recently completed the prestigious Mentor Project at the Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC. She is currently adapting MAMMA ROMA into a screenplay to be shot in Rome.

The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson

Broadway's SAFE SEX with Harvey Fierstein