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 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 in 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’s 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 Mellon’s 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 — but on the indie film circuit.

In 1989, the doll-like actress stunned audiences as the bold and complicated Cynthia in Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies, and Videotape. The film won the Palme d’Or 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 couldn’t ignore.

As a young and promising actress, Laura San Giacomo didn’t have a flashy reason for stepping into the spotlight. When asked why she wanted to become an actor, her answer was refreshingly simple:

“I don’t know. Just telling stories. I really like it,” she said—then, with a laugh, added that it sure beat flipping burgers at McDonald’s.

Laura in Pretty Woman

Pretty Woman is one of those movies that really needs no introduction — 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 Roberts’ Vivian in the movie. The role was small, but San Giacomo’s sass and spark gave the character depth — and fans loved it. Kit wasn’t 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.

”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, and if you empathize with them, then you kind of love them all like…sisters or something,” 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 King’s 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.

Laura’s 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, she’s 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.

But rather than vanish from the spotlight entirely, 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 nods. More importantly, it let San Giacomo showcase 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 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 she’ll appear opposite Eric McCormack.

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.

Keep an eye on this legend — whether she’s on screen or off, she’s still making waves in the world. Share if you also like this actress!