The Best Laura San Giacomo Movies And TV Shows, Ranked

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As a connoisseur of all things film and television, I must say that Laura San Giacomo has had quite the illustrious career! From her breakout role in “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” to her Golden Globe-nominated performance on “Just Shoot Me,” it’s clear that this actress has left an indelible mark on both independent cinema and primetime television.

Laura San Giacomo experienced a breakthrough when “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” debuted at the 1989 Sundance Film Festival. At that point, she had only made limited appearances on shows like “The Equalizer,” “Miami Vice,” and “Spenser for Hire.” However, once viewers caught a glimpse of Steven Soderbergh’s indie hit about a group of Baton Rouge yuppies navigating sex, lies, and videotape, her career really took flight.

Her sultry portrayal as a bartender involved in an affair with her sister’s husband, reminiscent of iconic Hollywood actresses like Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, and Jayne Mansfield, yet contemporary in style, caught the attention of both critics and audiences. As a result, San Giacomo was awarded Best Supporting Actress by the Independent Spirits and Chicago Film Critics, and received nominations from the Golden Globes, BAFTA, New York Film Critics, and more.

San Giacomo’s star rose throughout the ’90s with movies like “Pretty Woman,” “Quigley Goes Down,” and “Once Again.” She became a household name with a starring role in the NBC sitcom “Just Shoot Me,” for which she received a Golden Globe nomination, and made other memorable television appearances in the Stephen King miniseries “The Stand,” the TNT drama “Saving Grace,” and, most recently, as Dr. Grace Confalone on “NCIS.” Whether it’s on the big or small screen, she is always a welcome presence. Let’s take a look at Laura San Giacomo’s best movies and TV shows, ranked.

5. Jan Bella in Once Around

As a gaming enthusiast, if you’re captivated by the charm of “Moonstruck,” I reckon you’d take a liking to “Once Again.” This heartwarming tale revolves around the romantic escapades of the Bellas, an Italian-American family as close-knit as our best gaming guilds. The family patriarch is Joe (Danny Aiello), with mom Marilyn (Gena Rowlands) by his side, and their youngest daughter, Jan (Laura San Giacomo), is all set to tie the knot. This triggers a bittersweet feeling in the eldest daughter Renata (Holly Hunter), who starts feeling like she’s missing out on her own fairytale.

In this instance, let’s rephrase the given text with a more conversational tone:

4. Nadine Cross in The Stand

There’s been no shortage of Stephen King adaptations over the years, and some of his books have even been filmed multiple times, as was the case with “The Stand.” While modern audiences are probably most familiar with the 2020 version that streamed in 10 parts on CBS All Access, there was a four episode iteration that aired on ABC in 1994. 

Penned by Stephen King himself, this screenplay tells an epic tale revolving around a devastating plague that escapes from a clandestine government organization, wiping out much of humanity. The survivors have divided into two factions – the virtuous and the wicked. The virtuous are headed by Mother Abigail (portrayed by Ruby Dee), while Randall Flagg (played by Jamey Sheridan) leads the malevolent side. In the midst of their ongoing struggle is Stu Redman (Gary Sinise), an ordinary man from Texas. Laura San Giacomo joins the cast as Nadine Cross, a virtuous young woman who succumbs to evil after being ensnared by Flagg’s charm.

Speaking about King’s TV adaptations from the 1990s, specifically “The Stand”, although it didn’t reach the same level of cultural endurance as “It”, it was generally appreciated by critics. It even managed to secure a few Emmy nominations and took home awards for its makeup and sound mixing. Moreover, Sinise’s performance earned a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) bid. David Bianculli from The New York Daily News even went as far as saying it was “the most stylish and satisfying TV adaptation of King’s work”, which was quite a compliment.

3. Kit De Luca in Pretty Woman

After the success of “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” at the 1989 Sundance Film Festival, Laura San Giacomo found herself in high demand, leading to her securing roles in three films the following year: she played medical student Lauren Rose in “Vital Signs,” portrayed western madame Crazy Cora in “Quigley Down Under,” and took on the character of Kit De Luca, a tough-talking prostitute, in “Pretty Woman.” The latter film proved to be the most successful, grossing $178 million domestically and earning an Oscar nomination for Julia Roberts.

As a gamer immersed in the world of movie retellings, let me share my take on “Pretty Woman.” In this story directed by the legendary Garry Marshall, I find myself stepping into the shoes of Vivian Ward, a Los Angeles woman with a unique profession. One day, I cross paths with a visiting businessman named Edward Lewis who hires me as his companion for a week.

Initially penned by J.F. Lawton under the title “3,000,” the script was known for its bleak tone as Edward and Vivian part ways following Edward’s time in Los Angeles. However, after certain changes dictated by Walt Disney Studios, it transformed into a delightful romantic comedy that became popular on cable TV. Its old-fashioned honesty even appealed to the most jaded film critics, with Janet Maslin of The New York Times praising San Giacomo for bringing a touch of reality to the film during her brief scenes.

2. Maya Gallo in Just Shoot Me

Laura San Giacomo became a mainstay in living rooms across the country with “Just Shoot Me,” which aired for seven seasons on NBC. The brainchild of “Modern Family” co-creator Steven Levitan, it centers on the day-to-day operations of a high-end fashion magazine called “Blush,” run by veteran publisher Jack Gallo (George Segal). San Giacomo plays Jack’s daughter, Maya, a talented yet hotheaded journalist who takes a job at her dad’s magazine after getting fired from her last network news gig. The ensemble cast also includes Wendie Malick as fashion editor Nina Van Horn, Enrico Colantoni as photographer Elliot DiMauro, and David Spade as Jack’s sarcastic assistant, Dennis Finch.

From 1997 to 2003, the television series “Just Shoot Me” chronicled Maya’s professional and personal journeys, which included her growth as a reporter, rekindling her relationship with her workaholic father, falling for Elliot, and dating numerous guest stars like Joe Rogan. San Giacomo was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance, and the show received positive feedback when it premiered. Critics praised its unique blend of characters and acting styles, noting that it stood out from other sitcoms set in the magazine world. As Entertainment Weekly’s Ken Tucker put it, “this isn’t just another addition to TV’s magazine-world sitcoms.” The Los Angeles Times’ Howard Rosenberg agreed, commending Levitan’s writing for having the show’s most eccentric characters revolve around the more grounded ones, rather than the other way around. Audience members concurred, and “Just Shoot Me” remained a popular choice for ratings.

1. Cynthia Patrice Bishop in Sex, Lies, and Videotape

Sex, Lies, and Videotape” wasn’t just any film; it skyrocketed to fame in an unprecedented manner. This breakthrough project by writer-director Steven Soderbergh revolutionized independent cinema, moving it from art houses to multiplexes. The film created a stir when it first appeared at the Sundance Film Festival, receiving outstanding reviews and claiming the Audience Award. It then won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and garnered an Oscar nomination for Soderbergh’s unique screenplay. The movie transformed its relatively unknown cast members into stars, and introduced us to Laura San Giacomo, who came very close to receiving her own Oscar nomination after earning best supporting actress nods at the Golden Globes, BAFTA, and Independent Spirit Awards (which she eventually won).

In the late 1980s, the film “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” made its appearance. This movie delves into the superficiality of the yuppie lifestyle, as exemplified by the character John Mullany, played by Peter Gallagher. John is a prosperous attorney in Baton Rouge who is married to Ann (Andie MacDowell), a woman struggling with sexual repression. John also has an affair with her more daring sister, Cynthia (San Giacomo).

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2024-12-19 17:30