In 1997, Petroro drove across country to Hollywood to pursue her acting career. She got her first TV show job by appearing in Ned and Stacey and her first national commercial, Clear blue easy, playing the role of Clear blue expert Claire, and was directed by David Lynch. It wasn't too long before she found herself working regularly on a number of shows including appearances in Rescue 77, The Pretender, The Young & the Restless, According to Jim, Reno 911!, Las Vegas, Scrubs, and Rules of Engagement. She was one of the most recognized brief-case beauties for 4 seasons as a model on Deal or no Deal holding case #18. Marisa has guest starred opposite Eva Longoria on Desperate Housewives, recurred on Dexter Season 4 and guest starred opposite Breckin Meyer and Mark-Paul Gosselaar on Franklin & Bash. In 2012, she played vixen Amber Raines on Drop Dead Diva and the Italian Engineer, Ipolita, on Touch.