After being typecast in non-descriptive roles, which 1983 film earned Michelle Pfeiffer her breakout role?

Michelle Pfeiffer (born April 29, 1958) is an American actress and producer. She has received numerous accolades throughout her acting career but originally she was typecast for nondescript roles as an attractive women. As a result she sought more challenging material, earning her a breakout role in the 1983 gangster film ‘Scarface’.

She played the role of Elvira Hancock, a mistress for a drug lord gangster Frank Lopez (played by Robert Loggia). She becomes heavily addicted to cocaine soon after falling in love with Frank and getting married.

Tony Montana is a Cuban refugee (played by Al Pacino), who finds work with Lopez. He takes an immediate liking to Elvira. Denied in his attempts only initially, Elvira later wants to marry Tony but Frank is still in the way. Tony takes care of Frank and the two are married soon after Frank’s demise.

As the film unfolds, Elvira’s drug addiction takes over her life; the two become estranged and after a public display of their discord, she leaves Tony and is never seen by him again.

The film was considered excessively violent by most critics, but became a commercial hit and gained a large cult following in subsequent years.

Michelle has received a Golden Globe Award and a British Academy Film Award in addition to nominations for three Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award. She has been active as an actress and film producer since 1978.