Marisa Tomei Spent Time with Strippers to Prepare for Her Role in The Wrestler

Many actors - and graduate students as well - get involved in rather unusual activities in order to properly prepare for that specific role or thesis. That activity might be organized crime, as the character Helen Crump in an episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" did when she was attending college, or in Marisa Tomei's case, a strip club. Marisa taking lessons in stripping? You bet she did, as ShowbizSpy reports. The lovely actress certainly has the talent to dance, but stripping requires the right moves so that one does not stumble while removing the garments on stage. Marisa's adventure into the world of stripping helped prepare her for the role of Cassidy in "The Wrestler", a 2008 movie about a professional wrestler (Mickey Rourke) who has to come to terms with his career and retirement. Marisa eventually becomes the wrestler's girlfriend but refuses to shack up with him per his request. Not afraid to admit how she was able to pull off that role so successfully, she admits that after a hard day's work, men don't require much in the way of satisfaction. She was even nominated for an Oscar as a supporting actress in the movie, which is no surprise, since she is no stranger to the award. Marisa won the award back in 1993 for her role in "My Cousin Vinny."

Marisa learned all the tricks of the trade from the strippers spent time with in Los Angeles. She learned the business inside and out, talking to the girls who stripped for a living. In big cities like Los Angeles, the job pays well, especially where tips are concerned. Just like Mickey Rourke's wrestler, Marisa's role is also physically demanding, requiring her to dance while wearing high heels. Just as certain professions take a toll on the body, Marisa admits it was no piece of cake having to do a brief scene of nude dancing in the film. ShowbizSpy also mentions how she was the female mirror image of the wrestler: tough, not willing to give up easily, making rocky transitions in life. Marisa certainly is the perfect actress for a role like that, since she is well known for portraying independent, strong women who know how to say "No" when a man asks them to move in and play housewife to him.

In real life, Marisa is not too far from the characters she portrays on screen: she is strong, independent, and smart. She does not have any children, which makes her a favorite with the child-free community. But Marisa has one good thing going for her: the combination of good looks and earthy charms make her a favorite with many people who appreciate and recognize her genuine acting talent.

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