Laura San Giacomo, born on November 14, 1962, in West Orange, New Jersey, is an American actress known for her versatile roles in both film and television. She discovered her passion for acting while attending Morris Knolls High School and later honed her skills at Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, where she graduated with a fine arts degree in 1984.

Her early career included various stage productions, such as "Wrong Turn at Lungfish" and Shakespeare's "The Tempest," before she made her television debut in 1987.

Laura San Giacomo gained international recognition for her role as Cynthia Patrice Bishop in the film "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" (1989), for which she won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female. She also starred as Kit De Luca in the romantic comedy "Pretty Woman" (1990) alongside Julia Roberts and played Crazy Cora in "Quigley Down Under" (1990).

Her performance as Maya Gallo on the sitcom "Just Shoot Me!" (1997-2003) earned her a Satellite Award nomination and solidified her place in television history.

She has been honored by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine for her humanitarian efforts.

Her filmography includes notable works such as "The Stand" (1994), "Saving Grace" (2007-2010), and "NCIS" (2016-2022). Throughout her career, she has been nominated for several awards, including two Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA.