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Sam’s Just a Little Bit Dangerous – Actress Has What It Takes to Make Ends Meet

Samantha Tuffarelli

Hey, where’s your work? What’s your game? I know your business, but I don’t know your name.”

You can almost hear the guitar strumming to the popular 80s Roxette hit in the background, as Samantha Tuffarelli talks about her passion in life.

“It’s a really tough business, and only the strong survive,” Tuffarelli said. “I have no choice, I have to survive.

There’s nothing else I want to do.

“And, I know I have what it takes.”

Don’t be fooled by her mere 5-foot-3 height, her beautiful demeanor or her incredible charm, this girl is – in every sense of the word – dangerous. She is dangerously talented, even if the masses haven’t found out … yet.

Chances are they will soon. She is catching the attention of various New York casting directors and even popular New York fillmmaker and award-winning director/producer Sam Borowski.

“Samantha submitted to a monologue contest I sponsored on www.ForTalent.com and I was blown away by her performance,” Borowski told Movie Vine. “I was equally blown away by the essay she submitted, and by her passion for craft and the industry.

“She is the perfect example of what happens when preparation meets opportunity. She not only won the prize, she became my top student, and now I have cast her in two projects. She always understood that each monthly workshop was another chance to impress me, and with each new performance she gives, I am equally blown away.”

“I still can’t believe I won,” said Tuffarelli in reference to Borowski’s ‘ WILL YOU BE MY NEXT GREAT SUCCESS STORY ‘ monologue contest. “And, so much has happened since, that it set my career in motion.”

One of the movies Borowski cast her in, “A PLACE FOR HEROES,” shoots this summer in Iowa.  Directed by Scott Thompson and produced by Borowski, Tuffarelli will play the major supporting role of “Nola,” the best friend of the young lead.  Like Tuffarelli Nola, is a tough chick.

“It’s OK, you can call me a chick,” Tuffarelli says flashing a sinister smile. “Funny thing about Nola is that she’s sort of a tough comedy relief. That’s kind of an oxymoron, because usually a comedy relief is sort of a clown. But, she just tells it like it is, and is a great master of sarcasm … kind of like me.”

Tuffarelli is actually part charm and part sarcasm. Perhaps that’s why Executive Director Thomas Santorelli selected her to be a presenter at the 28th Long Island Film Festival Awards, an honor made even more prestigious by the fact that he chose her to give the “Breakout Performance Award” (given to NIGHT CLUB’s Bryan Williams). Apparently, Santorelli wanted a rising young Indie star to present this particular award. Enter Tuffarelli

“We wanted to choose a younger actor to present that award, in keeping with the spirit of it,” said Executive Director Thomas Santorelli. “And, Tuffarelli appears to be a rising star.”

And, Tuffarelli is a rising star … a dangerous one, at that.

“I’m not really dangerous,” smiles Tuffarelli, trying to hide all that toughness behind her piercing eyes. “Although my nickname is Tuff.”

And, with good reason. In the television pilot, “SUPERFANS,” she portrays Bridgette, insecure and let’s face it, a perfect representation of the B-word, a character very unlike herself. However, Bridgette is also tough when she has to be.

And, in, “NO, YOU AIN’T ALRIGHT,” she plays a sarcastic waitress who extols a famous Robert DeNiro line from GOODFELLA’S. Who knows? In the future, you might even see Tuffarelli in a role whacking some mobster in a Men’s room, a female homage to THE GODFATHER.

“Hey, whatever, I’m up for it,” Tuffarelli joked. “That’s what being an actor is all about.”

If her early roles and work ethic, as well as the recent attention she has garnered, is any indication, this girl has what it takes.

Uh-oh, there’s that 1980s guitar again.

“Hold on tight, you know she’s a little bit dangerous. She’s got what it takes to make ends meet. The eyes of a lover that hit like heat. You know she’s a little bit dangerous.”

Samantha Tuffarelli

Kale Slade

Kale Slade has written for Movie Vine and Entertainment Vine for four years. Striving to do what he can to aid filmmakers in promoting and crafting their projects, he enjoys lending a hand when he can. He also enjoys horseback riding, photography, writing poetry and novels and spending time in nature, experiencing the beauties of life.

10 Comments

  1. Samantha you’re an extremely dangerous actress that is up on the rise. You are talented as an Actress, Dancer and Singer (just don’t sing in public, lol); but seriously you truly are talented and making big strides that will catapout your career to the next level. I look forward to watching your career grow into the superstar status, watch out J-Lo! Sam, you’re the Tuffest girl on the block! Way to go! Onward and Upward!!

  2. Samantha never seems to amaze me, if she were into politics I know she would be the first female president. She is a shining star and has the drive and passion to be very successful. I know I will see her handprints in Hollywood someday and I will be a part of her entourage … Awesome article!!! Keep them coming
    Biggest fan ever !!!

  3. Tuffarelli, the rising star! your charm drive all the artists crazy. You have a great talent Samantha, please keep your dangerous around it beats my heart faster..I’m proud of your great plays..keep the work on you are great young actress..I wish you all the best on your upcoming projects, absolutley you deserve it.

  4. Its great to see a young beautiful woman, never give up and hard and follow her dreams. I look forward to following her career and watching her blossom. I know she has the potential all will be well. keep it going sam.

  5. WOW! What an awesome article. I wish I could get press like this!! I definately want to follow Miss Tuffarelli’s career now. Great to see an independent actress getting this kind of play. Congrats to Samantha Tuffarelli !!!

  6. Excellent article about an rising Indie actress that I am so proud to know, and so proud to work with. Kale Slade does a wonderful job of highlighting one of the Stars of Tomorrow Today (and try saying that twice). And, by Tomorrow – I mean like Tomorrow, Tomorrow – because I can vouch for Samantha Tuffarelli’s talent and heart. She is a wonderful young actress; only trumped by the fact that she is a wonderful young lady. One quality she has other than talent is the desire to learn – she truly is a sponge and seeks to learn everything she can – about her craft and about the business. So glad to see her getting so much press and attention, and I can’t wait to collaborate with her on several projects within the next year or two. Keep going Sam – ONWARD AND UPWARD!! And Kale, another fine article highlighting an Indie Gem. These types of profiles make MovieVine the quality site that it is!! Great job and what a great read!! – SJB

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