She graduated magna cum laude with honors in theatre from Wesleyan University[1] and later received an MFA from Tisch School of the Arts Dramatic Writing Program.
Grillo began her career as an assistant literary manager at Circle Repertory Company,[3] under co-founder Marshall Mason, where she was a member of the emerging writer/director/actor Lab.
She then worked at New Line Cinema in the New York office for 10 years, rising through the ranks from freelance script reader, becoming the studio's first Story Editor and first Director of Acquisitions,[4] establishing both departments, to eventually become the Sr. VP of Production/East Coast, under the President of Productions, Sara Risher and President/Founder Bob Shaye.
[5] During her tenure at New Line, she launched the House Party franchise[6] and the careers of filmmakers Reggie Hudlin, Ted Demme, and David O. Russell, whom Grillo married in 1992.
[17] Grillo directed and executive produced Jack of the Red Hearts, a narrative feature starring Famke Janssen and AnnaSophia Robb.