Marisa was born on December 04, 1964 in Brooklyn. She started acting on-screen in 1983 with a role in the daytime soap opera As The World Turns. This role lasted for two years.

She then went on to do several movies in the 1990s, which granted her notability. Among these are My Cousin Vinny and Untamed Heart. Her role in My Cousin Vinny even landed Marisa an Oscar.

Marisa continues to act. In 2006 she had a guest star spot on the hit F/X show Rescue Me.