Oscar-Winning Actress Marisa Tomei Joins ‘Empire’ on FOX as a Lesbian Billionare
Oscar-winning actress Marisa Tomei is going to have a recurring role in the second season of “Empire” on FOX.
Deadline reports that the actress has snagged the role of Mimi Whitman, described as a “demanding venture capitalist” who gets embroiled in the Lyon family business. Her character is on the Forbes’ list of billionaires and is also quite the lover of music (hip hop in particular), fashion and women.
The role is a rare TV treat for fans of the actress, whose last work in the small screen was on FX’s “Rescue Me.”
Tomei joins other notable guest stars expected to drop in on the second season of the family drama like Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys and Chris Rock. She has won a Best Supporting Actress trophy at the Oscar’s in 1993 for her role in the film “My Cousin Vinny.” She has also been nominated twice for the acting plum in 2002 and 2009.
“Empire” was last season’s breakout success, as it toppled the ratings week after week. On its first season finale, the show had 16.7 million viewers with a 6.5/20 demo rating, which rarely happens on TV these days.
The show stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson as the ex-couple who runs a music empire that is wrought with family drama. The show is set to return in the fall with 18 episodes, up from the initial 12-episode order.
The show has had some big names appear in the episodes last season like Jennifer Hudson, Courtney Love, Naomi Campbell, Gladys Knight and Snoop Dogg.
Catch the return of the series on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 9:00 p.m. on FOX.
