Vera Ann Farmiga (/fɑːrˈmiːɡə/ far-MEE-gə; born August 6, 1973) is an American actress. Farmiga began her professional acting career on stage in the original Broadway production of Taking Sides (1996). After expanding to television and film, her breakthrough came with her starring role as a drug addict in the drama Down to the Bone (2004). She then had roles in the political thriller The Manchurian Candidate (2004), the crime drama The Departed (2006), and the historical drama The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008). She was also established as a scream queen for her performances in the horror films Joshua (2007) and Orphan (2009). For her performance in the comedy-drama Up in the Air (2009), Farmiga was nominated for an Academy Award and other accolades. She then made her directorial debut with the drama film Higher Ground (2011), in whi...