Where is Laura San Giacomo today? How the ’90s icon chose family over fame
She lit up the screen in Pretty Woman and ruled primetime TV with Just Shoot Me! — but today, Laura San Giacomo is living life on her own terms, far from the Hollywood spotlight.
Laura San Giacomo’s rise to stardom didn’t come out of nowhere — it was built on serious skill. Born in New Jersey, she studied acting at Carnegie Mellon University and began her career performing Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams in theater. But her big break came in 1989, when she starred in Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies, and Videotape. Her performance as Cynthia was bold, magnetic, and earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Not long after, she played Kit De Luca in the smash-hit Pretty Woman, where her wisecracking charm made her unforgettable. Though it was a supporting role, fans loved her sass, heart, and presence — a spark that carried through all her work.
While San Giacomo’s career was taking off, something more important was happening in her personal life. She became a mom to her son, Mason, who was born with cerebral palsy. Instead of chasing nonstop film roles, she made a conscious choice: to be fully present for her child.
This experience changed the direction of her life. San Giacomo became a passionate advocate for inclusive education and children with disabilities. “Disability is natural,” she told Oprah: Where Are They Now? “It’s part of the world, and it’s part of life.”
She’s spoken at major conferences and worked closely with groups like TASH and the U.S. Department of Education. Her voice became a powerful one — not just on screen, but in real life, fighting for children and families like hers.
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Reinventing her career on TV
Rather than leaving acting behind, Laura San Giacomo found a better fit for her lifestyle: television. In 1997, she took on the lead role of Maya Gallo in NBC’s Just Shoot Me!. The workplace comedy ran for seven seasons and gave her a platform to show off her comedic talent while staying close to home.
After that, she appeared in shows like Veronica Mars, Saving Grace, NCIS, and Barry. She also joined The Santa Clauses and starred in the indie drama Violet with Olivia Munn. She’s kept busy with meaningful roles while avoiding the non-stop demands of Hollywood blockbusters.
Laura San Giacomo today
Now 63, Laura lives in California’s San Fernando Valley with her husband, actor Matt Adler, whom she married in 2000. She’s stayed mostly out of the headlines, but in early 2023, she signed with Stewart Talent — a sign that she’s not done telling stories just yet.
Off screen, she’s been honored for her advocacy with awards from the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and Redbook Magazine’s “Mother and Shaker” Award. Her voice continues to make a difference where it matters most.
Laura San Giacomo may not be on every red carpet anymore, but her story is a reminder that success isn’t always about staying in the spotlight. Sometimes, the bravest choice is to step away — not because you have to, but because something else matters more.
She chose family, used her fame to help others, and found a way to keep doing what she loves — on her terms. That’s a Hollywood story worth celebrating.
Still a fan of Laura? Share this story and let others know where she is today — both on screen and in spirit.
