Laura San Giacomo burst onto the Hollywood scene with a bang — and with a voice you couldn’t 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 ’90s. But after years of red carpets and movie premieres, she made a surprising career move — one that had everything to do with family.
So, where is Laura San Giacomo now? Let’s rewind the reel and catch up.
From Shakespeare to Sundance Darling
The other night, I rewatched Quigley Down Under — 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 unforgettable — and that’s when it hit me: I hadn’t seen her in anything for a long time. So where did she go?
In case you didn’t know, Laura San Giacomo isn’t just a scene‑stealer on screen — she has 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 to Carnegie Mellon’s prestigious School of Drama, where she earned a fine arts degree in 1984.
Before the flashing lights and studio lots, San Giacomo was immersed in live theater. She cut her teeth on Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and off‑Broadway staples. But her real breakout came not on stage — but on the indie film circuit.
In 1989, the doll‑like actress stunned audiences as the bold, complicated Cynthia in Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies, and Videotape. The film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and put both Soderbergh and San Giacomo on the map. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination and showcased the raw charisma Hollywood couldn’t ignore.
As a young actress, San Giacomo didn’t have a flashy reason for stepping into the spotlight. When asked why she wanted to act, her answer was refreshingly simple:
“I don’t know. Just telling stories. I really like it,” she said — then laughed and added that it sure beat flipping burgers at McDonald’s.
Laura in Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman is one of those movies that needs no introduction — but I had completely forgotten that Laura San Giacomo was in it.
Some of you might remember her best as Kit De Luca, the wisecracking best friend to Julia Roberts’ Vivian. The role was small, but San Giacomo’s spark and sass gave the character depth — and fans loved it. Kit wasn’t just comic relief; she had grit, heart, and unforgettable one‑liners that made her instantly iconic.
But whether Kit was her favorite role is still up for debate. Laura has played many complex, memorable women throughout her career.
“I have sort of liked them all. I’ve fallen in love with all of the women I’ve played because there is something wonderful about them. If you empathize with them, you love them all like… sisters or something,” she told Ability Magazine.
Riding 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 King’s The Stand, holding her own in a cast that included Rob Lowe and Ed Harris.
But just as her film career was booming, she made a choice that surprised many.
Trading the Big Screen for a Bigger Priority
At the height of her fame, San Giacomo became a mom — and with that came a new priority: being present. Her first marriage, to actor Cameron Dye, lasted from 1990 to 1998. During that time, they welcomed a son, Mason, who was born with cerebral palsy.
Laura’s journey as a mother deeply shaped her path beyond Hollywood. Mason inspired her to become a passionate advocate for children with special needs. Over the years, she has dedicated herself to raising awareness and supporting inclusive education.
As she told Oprah: Where Are They Now?, “Disability is natural. It always has been. It always will be. It’s part of the world, and it’s part of life.”
“He 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,” Laura shared.
Rather than disappear from the spotlight, she shifted to television — a move that gave her a steady schedule and millions of new fans.
In 1997, she landed the lead role on NBC’s 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 nominations. More importantly, it let San Giacomo show off her comedy chops — and reminded everyone she was just as funny as she was fierce.
**Life After Just Shoot Me! **
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 joined the NCIS universe from 2016 to 2022 as Dr. Grace Confalone.
Most recently, she starred in Violet alongside Olivia Munn and appeared in The Santa Clauses and Barry. Her next project is a dramedy titled Vacuums and the Whistling Pigs, where she’ll appear opposite Eric McCormack.
San Giacomo has also been widely recognized for her philanthropic work. She has been honored by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, received the Humanitarian Award from Shane’s Inspiration, and earned praise from Media Access for her work on an “Inclusive Education” PSA for The More You Know campaign.
She has also served as a keynote speaker at numerous conferences, including those hosted by TASH and CalTASH, and has spoken at U.S. Department of Education events and the Young Neuroscientists’ Workshop for the Pediatric Brain Foundation.
Laura San Giacomo Today
Now 63, Laura lives in the San Fernando Valley. She may not be splashed across tabloids anymore, but that’s exactly how she prefers it.
She has built a career on her own terms — grounded in talent, authenticity, and a deep love for her family. Laura married Matt Adler in 2000, following her divorce from Cameron Dye.
Though there hasn’t been much buzz about upcoming projects, she made headlines in January 2023 when she signed with new representation. According to Deadline, she partnered with Stewart Talent — a sign that San Giacomo has exciting plans ahead and isn’t ready to step away from the spotlight.
With new projects on the horizon and a passion for advocacy, it’s clear that Laura San Giacomo is a woman who has mastered not only the art of acting, but also the art of making a real difference.
Keep an eye on this legend — whether she’s on screen or off, she’s still making waves. Share if you also love this actress!
