Mr. Pinup

On Sunday night actress Marisa Tomei could take home an Academy Award for her portrayal of a kind-hearted stripper in the critically acclaimed film “The Wrestler.” In a tradition that dates as far back as the Oscar show itself Ms. Tomei is the latest actress to win Hollywood acclaim for playing a character with a job in the sex industry such as a striptease artist or streetwalker.

Four years ago Natalie Portman was nominated for playing a young stripper in Mike Nichols s steamy drama “Closer ” and just a year earlier Charlize Theron won an Oscar for her role as a real-life prostitute-turned-serial killer in “Monster” . In the decade before that Elisabeth Shue Mira Sorvino and Julia Roberts all became Oscar nominees or winners for playing women who sell their bodies but guard their hearts — one of Hollywood s longtime fascinations.

Taking the job was a no-brainer for Ms. Tomei who hopes her performance will help her land leading roles in future films. “When I was offered the part I was told it was going to be emotionally taxing — but those things to an actor are sweet sounds. I ve always felt that there was such strong creative expression in pole dancing even if it s deemed low-brow entertainment ” says Ms. Tomei who wore little more than a G-string in several scenes in the movie.

Stripping Your Way to Success – WSJ.com.

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