With a memorable voice, Laura San Giacomo had a spectacular debut in Hollywood.
The captivating brunette swiftly rose to prominence in the 1990s after making waves in independent film and almost taking center stage in Pretty Woman. However, following years of attending red carpet events and film premieres, she made an unexpected professional decision that was entirely related to her family.
What is Laura San Giacomo’s current location? Let’s go back in time and catch up.
From Sundance Darling to Shakespeare
I rewatched Quigley Down Under the other night, and to be honest? It may be among the most overlooked Westerns ever made. Laura San Giacomo’s portrayal as Crazy Cora truly drew my attention this time, even though Tom Selleck does his part and contributes to the movie’s cult appeal.
I realized that I hadn’t seen her in anything in a while until watching her performance, which is wild, unvarnished, and unforgettable. Where did she go, then?
In case you were unaware, Laura San Giacomo has a lot of training and roots that go beyond her role as a scene-stealer on cinema. Born in West Orange, New Jersey, to Italian-American parents, she grew up in Denville Township and became interested in acting throughout her high school years.
She pursued her enthusiasm all the way to Carnegie Mellon’s esteemed School of Drama, where she graduated in 1984 with a fine arts degree. Prior to the studio lots and flashing lights, San Giacomo was a center for live theater. Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and off-Broadway mainstays were her first exposures. Her true breakthrough, however, occurred on the independent cinema scene rather than on stage.
In Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989), the doll-like actress astounded viewers by portraying the fearless and complex Cynthia. The movie made Soderbergh (and San Giacomo) famous and took home the Palme d’Or at Cannes. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance, which demonstrated her unadulterated charm that Hollywood was unable to ignore.
Laura San Giacomo, a young and talented actress, had no grandiose motive for entering the public eye. Her response to the question of why she wished to pursue a career in acting was surprisingly straightforward:
“I’m not sure. merely narrating tales. She remarked, “I really like it,” and then laughed, “It sure beats flipping burgers at McDonald’s.”
Pretty Woman’s Laura
I completely forgot that Laura San Giacomo was in the film Pretty Woman, even though it’s one of those films that doesn’t really need an introduction.
However, Kit De Luca, the witty best friend of Julia Roberts’ Vivian in the film, may be the character that some of you remember the most. Fans like San Giacomo’s wit and spark, which gave the character dimension despite the minor role. Kit was more than simply comic relief; she was instantly recognizable due to her heart, tenacity, and catchy one-liners.
It’s still debatable, though, if Kit was her favorite role. After all, during her career, Laura has played a number of memorable and nuanced characters.
I’ve liked them all in a way. She told Ability Magazine, “I’ve fallen in love with all of the women (I’ve played) because there’s something special about them, and if you can relate to them, then you kind of love them all like…sisters or something.”
San Giacomo secured a number of well-known movie roles as a result of Pretty Woman’s success. She costarred with Alan Rickman in somber thrillers such as Where the Day Takes You and Suicide Kings. She even made an appearance in Stephen King’s The Stand, where she held her own against a group that featured Ed Harris and Rob Lowe.
However, she made a decision that shocked many at a time when her film career was flourishing.
Giving up the huge screen for a more important goal
San Giacomo became a mother while she was at the top of her game. Staying present became a new priority as a result. From 1990 to 1998, she was married to actor Cameron Dye. Mason, their son, was born with cerebral palsy while they were together.
Laura’s career outside of Hollywood was profoundly influenced by her experiences as a mother. She became an ardent supporter of children with special needs because of her son Mason. She has devoted her life to promoting inclusive education and increasing awareness over the years. In an interview with Oprah, she stated: “Disability is natural.” It was and always has been. It will always remain. It is a natural aspect of existence and the world.
He is incapable of speaking, sitting, or walking on his own. A talking computer is what he utilizes. When he was three years old, I began to act as his champion. He would shortly start attending school, Laura revealed.
Instead of completely disappearing from the spotlight, though, she made the decision to switch to television, which afforded her a consistent schedule and millions of new fans.
She was cast in the starring role of journalist Maya Gallo alongside George Segal and David Spade on NBC’s Just Shoot Me! in 1997.
The popular program ran for seven seasons and received several Emmy nominations. More significantly, it allowed San Giacomo to show off her comedic abilities and served as a reminder to everyone that she was equally as tough and witty.
After “Just Shoot Me!” life
San Giacomo continued to be active on television, alternating between popular series and significant recurrent parts. She voiced a character on Gargoyles, made appearances in The Handler, Saving Grace, Veronica Mars, and even joined the NCIS universe as Dr. Grace Confalone from 2016 until 2022.
She most recently gave her skills to The Santa Clauses and Barry, and costarred with Olivia Munn in Violet. She will soon be seen opposite Eric McCormack in the dramedy Vacuums and the Whistling Pigs.
Laura San Giacomo has been recognized for her philanthropic efforts in a variety of ways. She’s been honored by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, received the Humanitarian Award from Shane’s Inspiration, and earned Media Access’s praise for her work on an “Inclusive Education” TV public service announcement as part of The More You Know campaign.
Additionally, she was awarded Redbook’s Mother and Shaker Award. San Giacomo has also served as a keynote speaker at numerous conferences, including those hosted by TASH and CalTASH, organizations that advocate for an inclusive society. Her involvement extends to speaking at U.S. Department of Education events and the Young Neuroscientists’ Workshop for the Children’s Neurobiological Solutions Foundation, now known as the Pediatric Brain Foundation.
Laura San Giacomo today
Laura, now 63, lives in the San Fernando Valley, California and might not be splashed across every tabloid anymore, but that’s exactly how she likes it.
She’s carved out a career on her terms — built on talent, authenticity, and a deep love for her family. Today, Laura is married Matt Adler in 2000 (following her divorce from Cameron Dye in 1998).
Though there hasn’t been much buzz about her upcoming projects, Laura made waves in January 2023 when it was revealed that she had signed with new representation. According to Deadline, she partnered with Stewart Talent, hinting that San Giacomo has exciting plans ahead and isn’t ready to step away from the spotlight just yet.
With new projects on the horizon and a passion for advocacy, it’s clear that Laura San Giacomo is a woman who’s not only mastered the art of acting but also the art of making a real difference.
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