Jennifer Tilly is the epitome of a poker hottie, as she’s both an Oscar-nominated actress and World Series of Poker bracelet winner. Having been voted one of the “25 Sexiest Women in Hollywood” by Celebrity Sleuth, the curvy Tilly is equally famous for her little girl voice, impressive cleavage and outstanding poker skills.
Jennifer Tilly - The Early Years
Born Jennifer E. Chan in the Los Angeles suburb of Harbor City, Tilly was the second of four children (including actress Meg Tilly). Her father, Harry Chan, was a Chinese American used car salesman, and her mother, Patricia Tilly, was a former actress and school teacher.
Jennifer’s parents divorced when she was five, and she moved to Texada Island, British Columbia, Canada to live with her mother and stepfather. When she was a teenager, her mother was divorced again, and Jennifer attended Belmont High School in Victoria, British Columbia. It was during this time that she developed an interest in acting, participating in a drama program through Missouri’s Stephens College.
Jennifer Tilly’s Acting Career
Her acting career got started in 1983, and she soon won a recurring role on Hill Street Blues as the widow of a mobster. She also appeared on It’s Garry Shandling’s Show in the mid-80s. In 1984, she married Sam Simon, producer of The Simpsons, but the couple divorced in 1991.
Tilly’s big break came in 1989’s The Fabulous Baker Boys, and it was a part written especially for her. She also starred opposite Terri Garr and Richard Dreyfuss in Let It Ride, but the movie failed to live up box office expectations.
In 1994, she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Woody Allen’s Bullets over Broadway. She also appeared that year in the remake of Steve McQueen’s The Getaway, starring Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger.
She played a bi-sexual gangster moll in Bound (with Gina Gershon) and later appeared in 1997’s Liar, Liar opposite Jim Carrey. Other roles in this era included Seed of Chucky and Dancing at the Blue Iguana.
Tilly has also loaned her distinctive voice to a number of cartoons and animated features, including Family Guy, Stuart Little, Monsters Inc., Home on the Range and The Haunted Mansion. She also had a part on Out of Practice, a short-lived television series starring Stockard Channing and Henry Winkler.
Jennifer Tilly Acting Awards
During her acting career, Jennifer Tilly has won the following awards:
- Dramalogue Award for Vaniti
- Gemini Award for Best Actress for Heads
- Theater World Award, Most Promising Newcomer Award for One Shoe Off
- Fanta Festival Best Actress for Bride of Chucky
- Fantasporto International Fantasy Film Award for Best Actress for Bound
- Golden Gate Award for increasing understanding of the gay community
Jennifer Tilly Nude - Jennifer Tilly Naked
Jennifer Tilly has appeard nude in a few of her movies such as The Gataway in 1994 and In Shadow of the Wolf.
Jennifer Tilly - WSOP Bracelet Winner
Jennifer Tilly was involved in a number of poker tournaments, but most assumed she was just another celebrity dabbling in the game. Those opinions quickly changed when Tilly won a World Series of Poker bracelet in June of 2005. The win came during the Ladies’ No-Limit Texas Hold’em event, and Tilly walked away with $158,625 in winnings after outlasting a field of over 600 players.
Three months later, she won the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament in Los Angeles. She has since competed on Celebrity Poker Showdown, Poker Royale, Poker Superstars, Pro-Am Poker Equalizer and the Ultimate Blackjack Tour. In February of 2008, she placed 12th in the WPT No Limit Hold’em Championship, which was good enough to win $61,610. Her live tournament winnings are now in excess of $450,000.
Tilly has become a regular face at major poker tournaments, and the poker hottie is highly respected for her play. Her acting career now takes a backseat to poker, and she’s even dating poker pro Phil “Unabomber” Laak, who is 14 years her junior. Due to their relationship, many on the circuit simply refer to her as “The Unabombshell.”
