Laura San Giacomo burst onto the Hollywood scene with a bang โ and a voice you couldnโt forget.
After making waves in indie cinema and nearly stealing the show in Pretty Woman, the magnetic brunette quickly became one of the most recognizable faces of the โ90s. But after years of red carpets and movie premieres, she made a surprising career move that had everything to do with family.
So, where is Laura San Giacomo now? Letโs rewind the reel and catch up.
From Shakespeare to Sundance Darling
The other night, I rewatched Quigley Down Under โ and honestly? It might be one of the most underrated Westerns out there. Sure, Tom Selleck does his thing and helps give the film its cult following, but what really caught my eye this time was Laura San Giacomo as Crazy Cora.
Her performance is wild, raw, and unforgettableโand thatโs when it hit me: I hadnโt seen her in anything in a long time. So where did she go?
In case you didnโt know, Laura San Giacomo isnโt just a scene-stealer on screenโsheโs got serious roots and training behind her talent. Born to Italian-American parents in West Orange, New Jersey, she grew up in Denville Township and first caught the acting bug in high school.
That passion took her all the way to Carnegie Mellonโs prestigious School of Drama, where she earned a degree in fine arts in 1984. Before the flashing lights and studio lots, San Giacomo was deep in the world of live theater. She cut her teeth on Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and off-Broadway staples. But her real breakout came not on stage โ but on the indie film circuit.
In 1989, the doll-like actress stunned audiences as the bold and complicated Cynthia in Steven Soderberghโs Sex, Lies, and Videotape. The film won the Palme dโOr at Cannes and put Soderbergh (and San Giacomo) on the map. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination and showed off the raw charisma that Hollywood couldnโt ignore.
As a young and promising actress, Laura San Giacomo didnโt have a flashy reason for stepping into the spotlight. When asked why she wanted to become an actor, her answer was refreshingly simple:
โI donโt know. Just telling stories. I really like it,โ she saidโthen, with a laugh, added that it sure beat flipping burgers at McDonaldโs.
Laura in Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman is one of those movies that really needs no introduction โ but I had totally forgotten that Laura San Giacomo was in it.
But some of you might remember her best as Kit De Luca, the wisecracking best friend to Julia Robertsโ Vivian in the movie. The role was small, but San Giacomoโs sass and spark gave the character depth โ and fans loved it. Kit wasnโt just comic relief; she had grit, heart, and memorable one-liners that made her instantly iconic.
But whether Kit that was her favorite role is still up for debate. After all, Laura has portrayed quite a few unforgettable and complex women throughout her career.
โI have sort of liked them all. Iโve fallen in love with all of the women (Iโve played) because there is something wonderful about them, and if you empathize with them, then you kind of love them all likeโฆsisters or something,โ she told Ability Magazine.
Off the success of Pretty Woman, San Giacomo lined up a string of high-profile film roles. She shared the screen with Alan Rickman, and appeared in moody thrillers like Suicide Kings and Where the Day Takes You. She even popped up in Stephen Kingโs The Stand, holding her own in a star-studded cast that included Rob Lowe and Ed Harris.
But just as her film career was booming, she made a choice that surprised many.
Trading Big Screen for a bigger priority
At the height of her fame, San Giacomo became a mom. And with that came a new priority: staying present. Her first marriage, to actor Cameron Dye, lasted from 1990 to 1998. During their time together, they welcomed a son, Mason, who was born with cerebral palsy.
Lauraโs journey as a mom deeply shaped her path beyond Hollywood. Her son Mason inspired her to become a passionate advocate for children with special needs. Over the years, sheโs dedicated herself to raising awareness and supporting inclusive education. As she told Oprah: Where Are They Now?, โDisability is natural. It always has been. It always will be. Itโs part of the world, and itโs part of life.โ
โHe does not walk independently, sit independently or speak. He uses a talking computer. I started becoming an advocate for him when he was three years old. He was soon going to enter the school system,โ Laura shared.
But rather than vanish from the spotlight entirely, she shifted to television โ a move that gave her a steady schedule and millions of new fans.
In 1997, she landed the lead role on NBCโs Just Shoot Me!, playing journalist Maya Gallo opposite George Segal and David Spade.
The show was a hit, ran for seven seasons, and earned multiple Emmy nods. More importantly, it let San Giacomo showcase her comedy chops โ and reminded everyone she was just as funny as she was fierce.
Life after โJust Shoot Me!โ
San Giacomo stayed active on television, jumping between hit shows and powerful recurring roles. She voiced a character on Gargoyles, appeared in Veronica Mars, Saving Grace, The Handler, and even joined the NCIS universe from 2016 to 2022 as Dr. Grace Confalone.
Most recently, she starred in Violet alongside Olivia Munn and lent her talent to The Santa Clauses and Barry. Her next project? A dramedy titled Vacuums and the Whistling Pigs, where sheโll appear opposite Eric McCormack.
Laura San Giacomo has been recognized for her philanthropic efforts in a variety of ways. Sheโs been honored by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, received the Humanitarian Award from Shaneโs Inspiration, and earned Media Accessโs praise for her work on an โInclusive Educationโ TV public service announcement as part of The More You Know campaign.
Additionally, she was awarded Redbookโs 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 Neuroscientistsโ Workshop for the Childrenโs 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 thatโs exactly how she likes it.
Sheโs carved out a career on her terms โ 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 hasnโt 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 isnโt ready to step away from the spotlight just yet.
With new projects on the horizon and a passion for advocacy, itโs clear that Laura San Giacomo is a woman whoโs not only mastered the art of acting but also the art of making a real difference.
Keep an eye on this legend โ whether sheโs on screen or off, sheโs still making waves in the world. Share if you also like this actress!