Amy was born on August 20 1974 in Vicenza, Italy to American parents, her father was in the Armed Services and was stationed there. She’s the middle child in a family of seven. And at an early age, she studied singing and took ballet lessons and was active in regional theatre. In 1999, Amy made her film debut in a satiric comedy Drop dead gorgeous. But her breakthrough role did not come until 2005 when she starred in the independent film Junebug. She also appeared with Leonardo Di Caprio in Catch me if you can as his dim-witted girlfriend.
Are you a romantic?
I am a romantic at heart, I’ve tried to be cynical and it just really doesn’t work for me.
So, do you think love is simple?
I think love is simple and life is complicated.
How has fame affected your life?
It hasn’t effected my day to day life; if anything, I have become less self-centered because you know nobody works harder than an unemployed actor, so I’m getting to now focus on relationships in a way that I have never been able to. I am getting involved with charities and I think that the opportunities that I’ve had have really grounded me. I don’t have that sort of hunger that a non-working actor has.
What are the charities you are involved with?
I’m working with the children’s defense fund and exploring other areas.
You’ve been engaged for a while. How has it been?
Well, his name is Darren LeGallo, he’s an actor and an artist. We met in acting class in 2001 and we’ve been together eight years now. He’s great and has stuck with me through all my ups and downs. I’m also stubborn and feisty and he puts up with that as well. Though we are in the same profession, Darren is not competitive and has stood by me through the Academy Awards nomination with no amount of jealousy. I just couldn’t have asked for a better partner, he’s kind and he rubs my feet! I love a foot rub and a dance.
How would you describe your journey to this point?
I’ve had a typical journey to a very extraordinary place, and we’ll see how long I’m here and for how long good fortune keep coming my way; but I know that I have many ups and downs ahead. My journey is just like any body else’s, you struggle and you fail and you succeed; the only thing is I’ve done it in public.
Where do you see yourself headed and do insecurities bother you?
There are a lot of areas I’m doubtful about, it’s human nature to evaluate decisions and the path we take. I’m constantly looking where I am at and trying to decide if it’s the right direction I’m on. As an actor and working in the industry, you are constantly under a lot of scrutiny. It’s always a challenge for me to try and remain authentic and stay true to myself and that’s something I’m constantly evaluating; to be able to work against self- doubt, that’s what I work really hard at.
