Maria Bello has established herself as a leading actress with a formidable presence. A cool, literate blonde, Maria has captivated audiences with her many diverse roles in such films as “The Cooler,” with William H. Macy (Golden Globe Award and SAG Award nominations); David Cronenberg’s “A History of Violence,” opposite Viggo Mortenson and Ed Harris (NY Film Critics Award winner and Golden Globe Award nomination); Oliver Stone’s “World Trade Center”; “Thank You For Smoking”; and “The Jane Austen Book Club.” In addition, she co-starred with Brendan Fraser in “The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” in Alan Ball’s controversial film “Towelhead” and opposite William Hurt in “Yellow Handkerchief.”

Recently, Bello was seen in “Prime Suspect” and “Beautiful Boy.” Last year, she appeared in the Adam Sandler hit comedy “Grown Ups,” John Wells’ drama “The Company Men” and “Abduction,” with Taylor Lautner.

Bello’s other film credits include: “Auto Focus,” with Greg Kinnear; “Permanent Midnight,” with Ben Stiller; “Payback,” with Mel Gibson; “Flicka,” opposite Tim McGraw; Bruce Paltrow’s “Duets”; Jerry Bruckheimer’s “Coyote Ugly”; “Secret Window,” with Johnny Depp; “Silver City,” with Chris Cooper; and “Assault on Precinct 13,” with Ethan Hawke.

Bello made her television debut as a series regular opposite Scott Bakula in “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” In addition, she starred for one season in the role of passionate and headstrong pediatrician “Dr. Anna Del Amico” in the acclaimed series “ER.”

Bello is devoted to improving the lives of Haitian Women and has created We Advance, an organization that aims to empower Haitian women to collaborate together towards making healthcare a priority, and putting an end to gender-based violence within their communities. Other organizations to which Bello devotes her energies include Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ), Save Darfur and Vital Voices.

For the last three years, Bello has been speaking publicly on international women’s issues; gender-based violence; and rape as a weapon of war. She also blogs about Haiti for the Huffington Post. She produced the Haitian documentary, “Sun City Picture House,” an award-winning short film, and is in the process of shooting a second Haitian documentary on Barbara Guillaume’s run for office.

In September 2011, she joined Haitian President Michel Martelly’s Advisory Council on Investing in Haiti, alongside President Clinton, Muhammad Yunus and Denis O’Brien, among others, advocating for investments for women in the country. She is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative and works on gender policy within the Haiti Network.

From Philadelphia, Bello currently lives in Venice, CA.