Marisa Tomei, known for playing spunky characters in films such as "My Cousin Vinny," gave some spunky advice to members of the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club Friday afternoon.

About 45 students crammed into Rehearsal Room C of the American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) on Brattle Street to ask Tomei about the difference between acting in film and on stage, the advantages of being a celebrity and the significance of an enigmatic tattoo on her right foot.

Although she refused to explain the tattoo, Tomei was candid and effervescent.

When asked what she did for fun, Tomei said, "This is fun."

Since Sept. 10, she has been in Cambridge as part of the cast of "We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay!" at the A.R.T, which closed yesterday.

Tomei, 35, is most famous for her role in "My Cousin Vinny", which won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1992. She most recently starred in "Slums of Beverly Hills".

During her hour-long talk, Tomei gave advice for those hoping to launch their acting careers. She was skeptical of big acting schools and programs.

"I'm glad that I dropped out of B.U.," she said, referring to her one-year stint at Boston University.