Monica Barbaro

ACTOR / ACTRESS

Biography

Monica Barbaro is an American actress recognized for her performances across television, film, and streaming projects. She gained widespread attention for playing Natasha “Phoenix” Trace, a skilled naval aviator in Top Gun: Maverick, one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Barbaro has also earned critical acclaim for portraying Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown, a role that brought her Academy Award recognition. With a background in ballet and theatre training, she is known for bringing depth and versatility to roles across drama, comedy, and action genres.

Filmography

  • Hemingway & Gellhorn
  • The Cathedral
  • Top Gun: Maverick
  • At Midnight
  • A Complete Unknown
  • Hawaii Five-0
  • Stitchers
  • UnREAL
  • The Good Place
  • FUBAR

Movies (All)

  • Hemingway & Gellhorn (2012)
  • The Cathedral (2021)
  • Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
  • At Midnight (2023)
  • A Complete Unknown (2024)

TV Shows (All)

  • Hawaii Five-0 (2012)
  • The Good Cop (2013)
  • Stitchers (2015)
  • UnREAL (2016–2018)
  • Chicago Justice (2017)
  • Lethal Weapon (2017)
  • The Good Place (2018)
  • Splitting Up Together (2018)
  • The Politician (2019)
  • FUBAR (2023–present)

Stage / Theater Work

  • Various theatre productions during NYU Tisch School of the Arts training

All Characters Played

  • Yael — UnREAL
  • Cora Vasquez — FUBAR
  • Natasha “Phoenix” Trace — Top Gun: Maverick
  • Joan Baez — A Complete Unknown
  • Nina — At Midnight
  • Ella — The Good Cop
  • Lina — The Good Place

Known For

Natasha “Phoenix” Trace in Top Gun: Maverick, Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown, Yael in UnREAL, Cora Vasquez in FUBAR

Awards & Recognition

  • 01 Santa Barbara International Film Festival – Virtuosos Award (A Complete Unknown, 2025)

Oscar / Academy Award Nominations

  • 01 Academy Award nomination – Best Supporting Actress for A Complete Unknown (2025)

Emmy Nominations

  • 01 None.

BAFTA Nominations

  • 01 BAFTA Film Award nomination – Best Supporting Actress for A Complete Unknown (2025)

Golden Globe Nominations

  • 01 Golden Globe nomination – Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for A Complete Unknown (2025)

SAG Award Nominations

  • 01 Screen Actors Guild Award nomination – Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for A Complete Unknown (2025)