10 Best Laura San Giacomo Movies & TV Shows Ranked (& Where She Is Now) (2024)

Laura San Giacomo is an award-nominated actor who has performed in both acclaimed films and popular television shows. The Italian American actor got her start on the stage and quickly moved into television, starting in 1987 with a one-episode role in All My Children as a character named Luisa. A handful of smaller performances led to her breakout in Steven Soderbergh's feature film debut, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, launching Giacomo into the national spotlight that has extended through the decades since.

She has worked with numerous celebrated directors throughout her career, including Soderbergh, Garry Marshall, and Harold Ramis, and she's acted alongside several award-winning actors, including Julia Roberts, Holly Hunter, David Spade, Tom Selleck, Liam Neeson, and many more. Her early career saw Giacomo working frequently in movies, but in the 2000s, she turned to television and her star only grew from there. Giacomo is excellent in every production she's in, but some roles are a tad more memorable.

10 Once Around (1991)

Laura San Giacomo Plays Jan Bella

In Once Around, Laura San Giacomo plays Jan Bella, the youngest of the three Bella sisters who is having her wedding at the start of the movie. Jan is sweet and a loving sibling but also knows how to get under her other sisters' skin, particularly Renata's (Holly Hunter), the oldest and the only unmarried Bella. After she breaks up with her longtime but noncommittal boyfriend, Renata meets an older man, Sam Sharpe (Richard Dreyfuss).

Sam immediately butts heads with the rest of the family, his Lithuanian American heritage clashing with the proud Italian American roots of the Bellas. It's a light, airy, romantic comedy, and Giacomo bounces off each of the other actors naturally. It's one of the few Hollywood films to depict Lithuanian American culture, as well, with wedding folk dances, folksongs, and a baptism of a newborn child to show a real effort on the filmmaker's part.

9 Animal Kingdom (2017-2018)

Laura San Giacomo Plays Morgan Wilson

Animal Kingdom

Drama

Crime

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

See Also

Laura San Giacomo | Rotten TomatoesGli attori di Pretty Woman non hanno mai smesso di essere leggendari

Not available

Animal Kingdom is a crime drama series that originally aired on TNT in June 2016. Joshua Cody (Finn Cole) is the main character of the series, who, after his mother dies, moves in with relatives that run a criminal empire. Animal Kingdom was well received throughout its time on the air and lasted for six seasons.

Cast

Ellen Barkin , Nicki Micheaux , Ben Robson , Jake Weary , Molly Gordon , Shawn Hatosy , Daniella Alonso , Scott Speedman , Dorian Missick , Finn Cole

Release Date

June 14, 2016

Seasons

6

Showrunner

Jonathan Lisco

Based on the 2010 Australian film of the same name, TNT's Animal Kingdom moves the setting to Oceanside, California but still follows the exploits of a crime family, in this series named the Codys. Ruled with an iron fist by matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody (Ellen Barkin), the crime family commits heists, robberies, and plenty of murders to keep their business lucrative.

Laura San Giacomo plays Morgan Wilson, the lawyer for Smurf's legitimate businesses. However, as the series goes on, Morgan is brought unwillingly deeper and deeper into the Cody family's crimes and Giacomo sells the terror and anxiety of a woman in over her head who has no idea of how to escape.

Eventually, the Codys decide it's just best to kill her and, in one of the saddest deaths in Animal Kingdom, J (Finn Cole) makes his bones by brutally murdering Morgan out on the sea, and Giacomo's fright and confusion are unnerving to watch.

8 Honey Boy (2019)

Laura San Giacomo Plays Dr. Moreno

Honey Boy

R

Biography

Drama

Honey Boy is a 2019 Drama from Shia LaBeouf, who wrote the screenplay for the film as therapy during a stint in rehab. The film, directed by Alma Har'el, is loosely based on Shia's own struggles as a child actor and the relationship he had with his father during the time.

Director

Alma Har'el

Release Date

November 8, 2019

Cast

Natasha Lyonne , FKA Twigs , Martin Starr , Shia LaBeouf , Noah Jupe , Laura San Giacomo , Maika Monroe , Clifton Collins Jr. , Lucas Hedges , Byron Bowers

Runtime

93 minutes

Budget

$3.5million

Honey Boy is written by Shia LaBeouf and loosely based on his early life. He co-stars in the film as James Lort in flashbacks, the alcoholic and abusive father of Otis (Lucas Hedges as an adult and Noah Jupe as a child). Otis is a movie star who finds himself falling into the same alcoholic trap as his father and goes to see a psychological counselor, Dr. Moreno (Laura San Giacomo), who helps him uncover his childhood traumas

It's a moving and probing film, not least because LaBeouf is so willing to expose himself and his past, and Giacomo's performance is critical to the success of the film. Despite Honey Boy taking significant creative liberties with LaBeouf's life, it's still a heartrending tale. As Dr. Moreno, Giacomo manages to paint James as pitiable while also refusing to neither absolve him nor Otis from going down the same path as his dad.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

7 NCIS (2016–2022)

Laura San Giacomo Plays Dr. Grace Confalone

NCIS

Crime

Drama

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Special Agent Alden Parker, a quirky former FBI agent who solves his cases with calm professionalism and sharp, sarcastic charm, leads the NCIS team, which includes NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee, an MIT graduate with a knack for computers who has now graduated to senior field agent; the charismatic, unpredictable and resilient NCIS Special Agent Nicholas “Nick” Torres, who has spent most of his career on solo undercover assignments; and sharp, athletic and tough NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight, a formidable REACT agent who specializes in hostage negotiations and high-risk operations. The naïve Jimmy Palmer is assisting the team, who graduated from assistant to fully licensed medical examiner and now runs the morgue; and forensic scientist Kasie Hines, Ducky’s former graduate assistant. Overseeing operations is NCIS Director Leon Vance, an intelligent, highly trained agent who can always be counted on to shake up the status quo. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.

Cast

sean murray , Wilmer Valderrama , Katrina Law , Brian Dietzen , david mccallum , Mark Harmon , Rocky Carroll , Gary Cole , Joe Spano

Release Date

September 23, 2003

Seasons

22

Creator(s)

Donald P. Bellisario , Don McGill

Laura San Giacomo first appeared on NCIS as Dr. Grace Confalone in season 13, episode 16, "Loose Cannons" and went on to appear for a few episodes every season after, until NCIS season 21. Dr. Confalone is a naval therapist who is first introduced to help Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) after he suffers a gunshot wound.

His surgeon, Dr. Cyril Taft (Jon Cryer) recommends Confalone as her experience may even help him with the other mental struggles he's faced as a result of his career in the government and military. Dr. Confalone is a clever, wise, and understanding therapist and even manages to get the guarded and uncommunicative Gibbs to talk.

She later goes on to help Jacqueline Sloane (Maria Bello) as well. Giacomo is empathetic in her performance, and she never comes off as someone prying into the lives of her patients. Her unmoving but sympathetic face is enough to get people to trust her.

6 Saving Grace (2007-2010)

Laura San Giacomo Plays Rhetta Rodriguez

Rhetta Rodriguez, played by Laura San Giacomo, is a recurring character on the three-season TNT series, Saving Grace. The series follows the titular Grace Hanadarko (Holly Hunter), a hard-partying, and self-hating Oklahoma City Detective who gets a wake-up call when she drunkenly runs over a pedestrian. When the body disappears, God, posing as a man named Earl (Leon Rippy), approaches her and gives her another chance to live life.

The series contends with themes of faith and science and often pits the two against each other. This dichotomy is nowhere better shown than in Grace's best friend, Rhetta, a devout Catholic and police forensics specialist who helps Grace understand how science and religion can interact. It's a role that could come off as preachy or egg-headed if done poorly, but Giacomo strikes an excellent balance. Her chemistry with Grace really makes the pair seem like longtime friends.

Watch on Hulu

5 The Stand (1994)

Laura San Giacomo Plays Nadine Cross

The Stand (1994)

Drama

Horror

Fantasy

Cast

Gary Sinise , Molly Ringwald , Jamey Sheridan , Rob Lowe , Laura San Giacomo , Miguel Ferrer , Ruby Dee , Bill fa*gerbakke , Corin Nemec , Adam Storke , Ray Walston , Matt Frewer

Release Date

May 8, 1994

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Stephen King

The 1994 miniseries The Stand was the only adaptation of Stephen King's post-apocalyptic dark fantasy novel until the 2020 series, which just goes to show how daunting adapting the long and philosophical story to the screen is. This ABC series does an admirable job, however, of laying out most of the key parts of the plot. In the show, a deadly virus is released, resulting in a worldwide pandemic and devastation that leaves humanity on the brink of extinction, culminating in a fight between the near-literal forces of good and evil.

Laura San Giacomo plays Nadine Cross, an amalgamation of the character in the novel and Rita Blakemoor. Nadine is one of the survivors of the plague, but she's telepathically coerced into joining with the evil Randall Flag (Jamey Sheridan).

Giacomo's performance is intense, and she convincingly plays someone who is yanked along by fate, while trying to fight it the whole way. She's a somewhat pathetic character, but Giacomo's performance makes her seem admirable, so that when she finally resists Flagg, it's cheer-worthy.

4 Quigley Down Under (1990)

Laura San Giacomo Plays Crazy Cora

Quigley Down Under is a Western film set in Australia that follows the adventures of the eponymous Matthew Quigley (Tom Selleck). Quigley is a cowboy from Wyoming and a crack shot with a sniper rifle. He's hired by a wealthy Australian for an unknown task, only to discover that when he arrives, the job is to kill Aboriginal Australians. His refusal sets Quigley up as an enemy of the wealthy landowners and a hero of the native Australians.

On his travels, he meets Crazy Cora (Laura San Giacomo), a well-named Texas woman who is constantly getting into fights. Crazy Cora is a delightful entry into the Western heroine hall of fame. She's capable, mean, deadly, kind to those who deserve it, and has a very satisfying arc that's even better than Quigley's.

Giacomo shows an explosive energy in the performance that her roles don't always allow for her. It's a fun and unique piece of acting from Giacomo and a major reason why Quigley Down Under retains a cult popularity.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

3 Pretty Woman (1990)

Laura San Giacomo Plays Kit De Luca

Pretty Woman

R

Romance

Comedy

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Directed by Gary Marshall, Pretty Woman stars Julia Roberts and Richard Gere as Vivian Ward and Edward Lewis. Lewis is a wealthy New York businessman who hires Hollywood sex worker Ward to accompany him during his stay in Los Angeles. Initially wary of each other, the couple's relationship grows steadily deeper over Lewis' stay, causing Ward to begin to rethink her career path.

Director

Garry Marshall

Release Date

March 23, 1990

Cast

Richard Gere , Julia Roberts , Ralph Bellamy , Laura San Giacomo , Jason Alexander

Runtime

119 minutes

Budget

$14 million

Pretty Woman is one of the best rom-coms of all time and credit has to be given to Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward and Richard Gere as Edward Lewis. Their chemistry is undeniable and Vivian's arc is a reason why Roberts became a Hollywood megastar.

However, while their performances are why Pretty Woman works on a romantic level, the reason it's a fantastic movie overall also has to do with the strong supporting cast, including Laura San Giacomo as Kit De Luca, Vivian's best friend and roommate.

Kit is the one who helped Vivian learn how to be a sex worker in the first place, and she's the one Vivian confides in when she and Edward begin to develop real feelings for each other. As Kit, Giacomo is loud, blunt, and gum-chewing, and she doesn't take disrespect from anyone. Sarcastic and clever, she's hilarious when she's on the screen, but her heartfelt and protective scenes with Vivian are equally affecting.

2 Just Shoot Me! (1997-2003)

Laura San Giacomo Plays Maya Gallo

Laura San Giacomo co-stars in the main cast of Just Shoot Me! as Maya Gallo. The seven-season series, which also stars David Spade, Wendie Malick, George Segal, and Enrico Colantoni, is set in the offices of the fictional Blush fashion magazine. Stories revolve around the magazine's employees, including the owner, Jack (Segal), and his daughter, a writer named Maya (Giacomo). The series earned six Emmy nominations and seven Golden Globe nominations, one of which went to Giacomo in 1999.

Maya is a hotheaded, feminist-leaning journalist who frequently argues with the older male staff members at the magazine. Giacomo is well-suited for the brash, undauntable Maya, someone looking to shake things up at the magazine. It was a career-making performance in a cast filled with stars who could have overshadowed her. Just Shoot Me! cemented Giacomo in the minds of sitcom viewers at the turn of the century.

Watch on Hulu

1 Sex, Lies, And Videotape (1989)

Laura San Giacomo Plays Cynthia Patrice Bishop

Steven Soderbergh's feature film debut was 1989's Sex, Lies, and Videotape, a drama about a man, Graham Dalton (James Spader), who videotapes women discussing what they want in the bedroom. When his hobby is discovered, it creates ripples that affect the relationships between himself, his best friend John Mullany (Peter Gallagher), John's wife Ann Bishop (Andie MacDowell), and Ann's sister and John's lover Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo).

The movie earned one Academy Award nomination and three Golden Globe nominations, including one that went to Giacomo for Best Supporting Actress. It is an incredibly nuanced performance by Giacomo. Cynthia knows that what she's doing is wrong, yet she keeps having an affair with her brother-in-law anyway. Giacomo makes the character fully dimensional, a fully realized human with foibles and failures whom anyone watching can relate to, even if they wouldn't do what she did.

Where Is Laura San Giacomo Now?

Giacomo has continued acting prolifically in the 2020s. Her film career has remained steady, and she frequently appears in notable television shows, often in significant roles. She recently appeared as Janie in Violet, Justine Bateman's 2021 feature film directorial debut. Laura San Giacomo also appeared as a recurring character Annie on Barry, in a 2018 episode of Grey's Anatomy as Marjorie Kersey, and currently plays the magical La Befana in The Santa Clauses, an adaptation of Tim Allen's Christmas films.