Maria Dizzia
Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and found yourself asking, “Wait, who is that actress? She looks so familiar!” Chances are, that talented woman might be Maria Dizzia. She is one of those wonderful actors you have definitely seen before, even if you don’t know her name yet.
Maria Dizzia has been acting for over twenty years. She moves between TV, movies, and the stage with such ease. You might know her as Polly Harper from the hit show Orange Is the New Black. Or maybe you remember her as Mrs. Down from 13 Reasons Why. She has this special gift. She makes every character feel like a real person you could meet in your own life .
In this article, we will take a warm and friendly look at her life. We will explore her Maria Dizzia movies and tv shows, her early days, and even answer some questions fans often ask. Let’s dive into the world of this amazing actress .
Who Is Maria Dizzia? A Quick Biography
Let’s start with the basics. Here is a simple table that tells you who Maria Dizzia is.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Maria Teresa Dizzia |
| Date of Birth | December 29, 1974 |
| Age | 51 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Cranford, New Jersey, USA |
| Education | Cornell University (BA), UC San Diego (MFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | Will Eno (playwright) |
| Children | 1 |
| Famous For | Orange Is the New Black, 13 Reasons Why, Martha Marcy May Marlene |
She grew up in a town called Cranford in New Jersey. Her dad was John Paul Dizzia, and her mom was Lorraine. She also has a sister who became a lawyer . Maria Dizzia was already interested in acting. She went to Kent Place School and won a special drama award when she graduated in 1993. That was a big sign of things to come !
After high school, she studied theater at Cornell University. But she didn’t stop there. She wanted to learn even more. So she went on to get her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the University of California, San Diego. That is some serious training !
Maria Dizzia’s Amazing Career Journey
Starting Out on Stage
Before she was on your TV screen, Maria Dizzia was a star of the stage. And not just any stage. She shone bright on Broadway! In fact, she was nominated for a Tony Award in 2010. That is a really big deal in the theater world .
She got this nomination for a play called In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play). She played a character named Mrs. Daldry. It’s a funny and interesting play written by Sarah Ruhl .
Her theater work is impressive. She has acted in many plays, including:
- Eurydice (another Sarah Ruhl play)
- Belleville (which got her another nomination for a Drama Desk Award)
- Uncle Vanya
- Macbeth on Broadway in 2022
Recently, she took on a powerful role in maria dizzia what the constitution means to me. This is a famous play by Heidi Schreck. It talks about women’s rights and how the Constitution treats people. Maria Dizzia stepped into the main role and toured with the show. She said the play made her think, “The Constitution doesn’t protect me. It protected my father, who was a white man, and he chose to protect me.” That is a powerful thought, right?
Breaking into TV and Film
While the stage was her first love, Maria Dizzia soon started appearing on our screens. Her early TV roles were in shows like Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. She also popped up in Fringe back in 2008 .
But her big breakthrough in movies came in 2011. She starred in a film called Martha Marcy May Marlene. Critics loved her performance. The New York Times even praised her work . This movie put her on the map for film fans.
She also played a small but important part in the 2011 film Margin Call. This movie is about a big financial crisis and has a ton of famous actors in it. But Maria Dizzia holds her own .
Exploring Maria Dizzia’s Most Famous TV Shows
This is what many fans want to know. Let’s look at the tv shows with Maria Dizzia that made her a familiar face in our homes.
Orange Is the New Black
For many people, this is where they first saw her. Maria Dizzia’s role in ” Orange Is the New Black ” is a fan favorite. She plays Polly Harper .
Who is Polly? She is the best friend of Piper Chapman, the main character. Polly’s journey in the show is a wild ride. At first, she seems like a normal, supportive friend. But as the show goes on, her life gets complicated. She ends up having an affair with Piper’s fiancé, Larry. It’s a juicy role, and maria dizzia orange is the new black cast member plays it perfectly. She appeared in 18 episodes from 2013 to 2019 .
13 Reasons Why
Another huge show for her was 13 Reasons Why. Maria Dizzia, 13 Reasons Why fans know her as Mrs. Down. She plays the mother of one of the characters .
Her role might be small, but it is meaningful. The show deals with heavy topics, and her character adds to the emotional depth. She appeared in 8 episodes between 2017 and 2019. If you search for maria dizzia thirteen reasons why, you will find many fans talking about her touching performance .
Agatha All Along
Guess what? Maria Dizzia is now part of the Marvel world! In 2024, she joined the cast of Agatha All Along. This is a fun spinoff from the show WandaVision .
She plays a character named Rebecca Kaplan. In the show, she is the mother of a boy named William Kaplan. This is a big deal for Marvel fans. It connects to a larger story about magic and witches. So, if you love the MCU, you can see Maria Dizzia as Agatha all along right now on Disney+ !
Other Great TV Appearances
She has been in so many other shows! Here is a quick list of some you might remember:
- The First Lady (2022): She played Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd in this show about American presidents and their wives .
- The Staircase (2022): A true-crime drama where she played Lori Campbell .
- Louie: She appeared in three episodes of this comedy series with Louis CK .
- Elementary: She was in an episode of this modern Sherlock Holmes show .
- The Good Wife: Another great show where she made a guest appearance .
- Grey’s Anatomy? Fans sometimes ask about Maria Dizzia Grey’s anatomy. While she has been in many medical shows like New Amsterdam, there is no record of her on Grey’s Anatomy .
A Look at Maria Dizzia’s Movies
She has also built an impressive list of films. Here are some of the best Maria Dizzia movies you should watch.
| Year | Movie Title | Role |
| 2011 | Martha Marcy May Marlene | Katie |
| 2011 | Margin Call | Executive Assistant |
| 2013 | Captain Phillips | Allison McColl |
| 2014 | While We’re Young | Marina |
| 2015 | True Story | Mary Jane Longo |
| 2017 | Going in Style | Rachel |
| 2018 | Piercing | Chevonne |
| 2019 | Late Night | Joan |
| 2019 | The Neighbors’ Window | Alli (Lead role) |
| 2022 | The Good Nurse | Lori Lucas |
| 2024 | My Old Ass | Elliott’s mother |
| 2025 | Plainclothes | Marie |
One of her most special projects is The Neighbors’ Window. This is a short film. And guess what? It won an Academy Award (an Oscar) in 2019! Maria Dizzia played the lead role, Alli. The film is about a mother who becomes obsessed with watching a young couple who move in across the street. It is a beautiful and touching story .
In 2024, she appeared in a fun coming-of-age movie called My Old Ass. It stars Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza. Maria Dizzia plays the mom, and it’s a really sweet film about family and growing up .
The Pedro Pascal Connection
Now, this is something fans love to talk about! Maria Dizzia and Pedro Pascal have a history. And it’s a sweet story.
Back in the 1990s, long before they were both famous, maria dizzia pedro pascal were reportedly linked. They were both young actors starting out in New York City. It was a brief rumored relationship, but neither of them ever confirmed it publicly .
Here is the fun part. They later appeared together on screen! In 2008, both Maria Dizzia and Pedro Pascal starred in an episode of Law & Order. It was the episode called “Tango” . So, they went from being rumored to be together to being co-stars on one of the longest-running shows on TV.
Now, Pedro Pascal is one of the biggest stars in the world (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian). And Maria Dizzia continues to be a highly respected actress. It’s just a fun little fact for fans of both actors. Pedro Pascal and Maria Dizzia’s searches often lead to this cute bit of Hollywood history.
Maria Dizzia’s Complete Filmography Tables
Let’s get detailed! Here are the complete tables of her work so you can see just how busy she has been.
All Maria Dizzia Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1998 | Sense | Mary | |
| 2009 | Whose Dog Is It Anyway? | Grace | Short film |
| 2009 | The Ghost and Us | Laura | Short film |
| 2009 | The Other Woman | Jaime Brennan | |
| 2011 | Down the Shore | Susan | |
| 2011 | Martha Marcy May Marlene | Katie | |
| 2011 | Margin Call | Executive Assistant | |
| 2012 | Keep the Lights On | Vivian | |
| 2013 | Clutter | Sandra | |
| 2013 | The Happy Sad | Mandy | |
| 2013 | Captain Phillips | Allison McColl | |
| 2014 | *X/Y* | Sandy | |
| 2014 | While We’re Young | Marina | |
| 2015 | True Story | Mary Jane Longo | |
| 2015 | 3 Generations | Sinda | |
| 2016 | Christine | Jean Reed | |
| 2017 | Going in Style | Rachel | |
| 2017 | Abe & Phil’s Last Poker Game | Angela | |
| 2017 | Humor Me | Nirit Gerb-Kroll | |
| 2018 | Piercing | Chevonne | |
| 2018 | Vox Lux | Stephanie Dwyer | |
| 2019 | Late Night | Joan | |
| 2019 | Depraved | Georgina | |
| 2019 | Above the Shadows | Victoria Jederman | |
| 2019 | The Neighbors’ Window | Alli | Short film, Oscar Winner |
| 2019 | William | Barbara Sullivan | |
| 2020 | The Outside Story | Juliet | |
| 2022 | Funny Pages | Jennifer | |
| 2022 | The Good Nurse | Lori Lucas | |
| 2023 | The Graduates | Maggie | |
| 2024 | My Old Ass | Elliott’s mother | |
| 2024 | We Strangers | Jean Laich | |
| 2024 | Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point | Kathleen | |
| 2025 | Plainclothes | Marie |
All Maria Dizzia TV Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2006 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Daphne | 1 episode |
| 2006 | Smith | Nancy Scialfa | 3 episodes |
| 2008 | Law & Order | Sugar / Melinda Whitman | 1 episode |
| 2008 | Fringe | Emily Kramer | 1 episode |
| 2011–2012 | Louie | Dolores | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | The Newsroom | Erica | 1 episode |
| 2013 | The Good Wife | Heather Sorentino | 1 episode |
| 2013–2019 | Orange Is the New Black | Polly Harper | 18 episodes |
| 2015 | Elementary | Penny | 1 episode |
| 2015 | Master of None | Amanda | 1 episode |
| 2016 | Horace and Pete | Tricia | 3 episodes |
| 2016 | The Blacklist | Jeanne Linley | 1 episode |
| 2016 | Royal Pains | Cindy Greene | 2 episodes |
| 2017–2019 | 13 Reasons Why | Mrs. Down | 8 episodes |
| 2017 | Red Oaks | Professor Beryl Fox | 5 episodes |
| 2018 | The Deuce | Arlene Carmen | 1 episode |
| 2019 | Bull | Dr. Margot Statton | 1 episode |
| 2019–2020 | Emergence | Emily | 9 episodes |
| 2020 | The Undoing | Diane Porter | 2 episodes |
| 2021 | Prodigal Son | Sasha Geller | 1 episode |
| 2021 | New Amsterdam | Anne | 1 episode |
| 2021 | Modern Love | Lori | 1 episode |
| 2022 | The First Lady | Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd | 3 episodes |
| 2022 | The Staircase | Lori Campbell | Recurring role |
| 2023 | School Spirits | Sandra Nears | Recurring role |
| 2024 | Life & Beth | Dr. Morris | 3 episodes |
| 2024 | Agatha All Along | Rebecca Kaplan | 2 episodes |
| 2024 | Before | Barbara | Miniseries |
A Peek at Her Theater Work
Because she started on stage, let’s honor that with a table of her amazing theater credits.
| Year | Title | Role | Theater/Location |
| 2006 | The Wooden Breeks | Tricity | MCC Theater |
| 2007 | Eurydice | Eurydice | Second Stage Theatre |
| 2008 | The Drunken City | Melissa | Playwrights Horizons |
| 2009–2010 | In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) | Mrs. Daldry | Lyceum Theatre (Broadway) |
| 2011 | Cradle and All | Claire/Annie | Manhattan Theatre Club |
| 2012 | Uncle Vanya | Yelena | Soho Repertory Theatre |
| 2013 | Belleville | Abby | New York Theatre Workshop |
| 2016 | The Layover | Shellie | Second Stage Theatre |
| 2017 | If I Forget | Sharon | Roundabout Theatre Company |
| 2020 | What the Constitution Means to Me | “Heidi”/Herself | Mark Taper Forum, Broadway Playhouse |
| 2022 | Macbeth | Lady Macduff | Longacre Theatre (Broadway) |
Maria Dizzia’s Personal Life
When she is not acting, Maria Dizzia enjoys a quiet life with her family. She is married to a man named Will Eno. He is a playwright, so they both understand the creative life. They have one child together .
She doesn’t share too much about her family online. She likes to keep that part of her life private. But it’s nice to know that this talented actress has a happy home life.
Social Media Presence
Does Maria Dizzia share her life on social media? The answer is mostly no. She is very private.
- Instagram: You will not find an official, verified Instagram account for her. There are fan accounts, but she herself does not seem to have a public page.
- Facebook: There is a Facebook page, but it is likely a fan page or an old account. She does not post updates there.
- Twitter/X: She does not have an active, verified Twitter account.
So, if you want to keep up with her, the best way is to follow entertainment news or check sites like IMDb for her latest movies and shows. She lets her work speak for itself.
| Platform | Official Presence | Notes |
| No | No verified public account found. | |
| Unverified | Likely fan-managed; no active personal posts. | |
| Twitter (X) | No | No verified public account found. |
| IMDb | Yes | Full filmography and professional profile. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions fans often search for about Maria Dizzia.
1. Is Maria Dizzia related to Pedro Pascal?
No, they are not related. They were rumored to have dated briefly in the 1990s, but they are not family .
2. How old is Maria Dizzia?
She was born on December 29, 1974. She is 51 years old .
3. Was Maria Dizzia in “13 Reasons Why”?
Yes! She played Mrs. Down in 8 episodes of the show .
4. Who does Maria Dizzia play in “Orange Is the New Black”?
She plays Polly Harper. She is Piper’s best friend .
5. Is Maria Dizzia in the Marvel series “Agatha All Along”?
Yes, she is! She plays Rebecca Kaplan, the mother of William Kaplan .
6. What is “What the Constitution Means to Me”?
It is a famous play. Maria Dizzia took over the lead role for the national tour. It’s about women’s rights and the U.S. Constitution .
7. Did Maria Dizzia win an Oscar?
She starred in a short film called The Neighbors’ Window that won an Oscar in 2019. So yes, she has been in an Oscar-winning film !
8. Is Maria Dizzia married?
Yes, she is married to playwright Will Eno .
9. What was Maria Dizzia’s first movie?
Her first credited movie role was in 1998 in a film called Sense .
10. Does Maria Dizzia have any social media?
It does not appear so. She keeps her life very private and is not active on public social media accounts.
Conclusion: Why We Love Maria Dizzia
So, there you have it. Maria Dizzia is a true talent. She moves from the Broadway stage to your Netflix queue with so much grace. She brings honesty to every role, whether it’s a worried mom in 13 Reasons Why, a confused best friend in Orange Is the New Black, or a witch’s mom in the Marvel universe .
She proves that you don’t always need to be the lead singer to be a star. Sometimes, the band members are the ones who make the music truly special. She is that kind of actor. She makes every scene she is in better.
From her Tony-nominated performance on Broadway to her Oscar-winning short film, maria dizzia movies and tv shows are a treasure trove for any fan of great acting. She has worked with huge stars like Tom Hanks (Captain Phillips), Emma Stone (Mania), and Aubrey Plaza (My Old Ass, Agatha All Along) .
We hope you enjoyed learning about her as much as we enjoyed writing about her.
Which role of Maria Dizzia is your favorite? Are you a fan of Polly from Litchfield Prison, or do you prefer her in the Marvel world? Drop a comment below and let us know! And if you haven’t seen The Neighbors’ Window yet, go find it. It is a short film that will stay with you for a long time.
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