Diane Venora

Diane Venora was born Diana Venora in East Hartford Connecticut. She left Hartford for a full scholarship in the Drama Division of The Juilliard School. After graduating from Juilliard, she performed extensively on the stage and developed a reputation as a talented stage actress, particularly in Shakespearian plays. In 1983, she starred in Joseph Papp's production of "Hamlet" at the New York Shakespeare Festival, in the lead role, the first woman to play the role at the New York Shakespeare Festival.