Carla Gugino

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Carla Gugino
Gugino in 2017
Born (1971-08-29) August 29, 1971 (age 52)
OccupationActress
Years active1988–present
PartnerSebastián Gutiérrez (1996–present)
RelativesCarol Merrill (aunt)

Carla Gugino (/ɡʊˈn/ guu-JEE-noh; born August 29, 1971) is an American actress. After early roles in the films Troop Beverly Hills (1989), This Boy's Life (1993), Son in Law (1993), and Snake Eyes (1998), Gugino received wider recognition for her starring roles in the Spy Kids trilogy (2001–2003), Sin City (2005), Night at the Museum (2006), American Gangster (2007), Righteous Kill (2008), Race to Witch Mountain (2009), Sally Jupiter in Watchmen (2009), Sucker Punch (2011), Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011), San Andreas (2015), Gerald's Game (2017), and Gunpowder Milkshake (2021).

Gugino also starred in the crime drama series Karen Sisco (2003), the science fiction series Threshold (2005–2006), the crime drama series Jett (2019), and the supernatural horror miniseries The Haunting of Hill House (2018), The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020), and The Fall of the House of Usher (2023).

Early life[edit]

Gugino was born in Sarasota, Florida, to Carl Gugino, an orthodontist of Italian descent,[1] and Susan Gugino, a mother of English and Irish descent[2] described as "Bohemian".[3] Her parents separated when she was two,[4] after which she travelled between her father and half-brother Carl Jr.'s home in Sarasota, and her Paradise, California, home, to which her mother moved her when she was four.

She has said of her upbringing, "I lived in a tepee in Northern California and a van in Big Sur. With my dad, I lived in a beautiful house with a swimming pool and a tennis court and went to Europe for the summers. So I feel like I lived two childhoods." She worked as a teenage fashion model, and took acting classes at the suggestion of her aunt, former Let's Make a Deal spokesmodel Carol Merrill.[3] She eventually came to support herself, and with her parents' support, was legally emancipated by the time she was 16.[1]

Career[edit]

Gugino's television work during the late 1980s and early 1990s included appearances on Good Morning, Miss Bliss, Saved by the Bell, Who's the Boss?, ALF, Doogie Howser, M.D., The Wonder Years, Webster and a recurring role on Falcon Crest. In film, Gugino appeared in the Shelley Long film Troop Beverly Hills (1989), and she co-starred with Pauly Shore in the romantic comedy Son in Law (1993). She appeared in the video to Bon Jovi's 1994 song "Always".

In 1995, Gugino appeared as Nan St. George (later the Duchess of Trevenick) with Greg Wise and James Frain in the BBC miniseries The Buccaneers, an adaptation of Edith Wharton's last novel. She played Ashley Schaeffer, Michael J. Fox's character's love interest, during the first season of the sitcom Spin City in 1996. She played opposite Nicolas Cage in Brian De Palma's Snake Eyes, and in Judas Kiss, which she also co-produced. She appeared as Dr. Gina Simon during the final season of the television medical drama Chicago Hope (1999–2000).

In 2001, she appeared as family matriarch Ingrid Cortez in the first Spy Kids film (as well as the film's two sequels in 2002 and 2003). That same year she appeared as Jet Li's love interest in the martial arts action thriller The One.

She starred in two short-lived TV series: ABC's Elmore Leonard crime drama Karen Sisco in 2003, and CBS' science fiction series Threshold in 2005. That same year, Gugino appeared as Lucille in the feature film adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel Sin City. The following year, she appeared in the film Night at the Museum as Ben Stiller's love interest.

Gugino performed in the Roundabout Theatre Company production of Arthur Miller's play, After the Fall opposite Peter Krause. In late 2006, she appeared in an Off-Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' Suddenly Last Summer opposite Blythe Danner.[5]

Gugino appeared as Amanda, Vincent Chase's agent, in a dozen episodes of the cable television series Entourage.[6] Gugino appeared in the May 2007 issue of Allure.[7] That same year she appeared in the action-horror film Rise: Blood Hunter and the feature film American Gangster. The following year, she played the female lead in the thriller Righteous Kill, opposite Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.

From January 17 to February 17, 2009, Gugino starred as Abby in Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms at the Goodman Theater in Chicago, Illinois. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times praised Gugino's performance, saying, "Ms. Gugino displays a depth and range of expression that I cannot imagine any other actress achieving with such blazing honesty and wrenching truth. She is simply magnificent."[8] During the first three months of 2009, three feature films premiered featuring Gugino: the thriller The Unborn, the film Watchmen, in which she played Sally Jupiter,[9] and the adventure remake Race to Witch Mountain, in which she starred opposite Dwayne Johnson. That April, she received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination[10] for Outstanding Actress in a Play for her performance in Desire Under the Elms. Later, in November of that year, she played a pornographic actress in the comedy film Women in Trouble, which spawned a sequel in 2010, Elektra Luxx, titled after her character.

In 2011, Gugino appeared as Madame Vera Gorsky in Zack Snyder's action-fantasy film Sucker Punch alongside Abbie Cornish and Emily Browning. Gugino sang a duet with co-star Oscar Isaac, which appeared in the end credits and in the film's soundtrack. She also guest starred on the fourth season of Californication as Abby Rhodes, Hank Moody's attorney and love interest.

Gugino at WonderCon 2015

In mid-2012, Gugino had a lead role as Susan Berg, a Washington, D.C., investigative reporter, on the USA Network's miniseries Political Animals. In 2015, she had a lead role in the disaster film San Andreas, in which she once again starred opposite Dwayne Johnson.

Personal life[edit]

In 1996, Gugino began a relationship with her collaborator, Sebastián Gutiérrez.[11][12][13] Gugino stated in 2009 that they had no plans to marry: "Marriage isn't important for us. We like being boyfriend and girlfriend; there's something sexy and fun about that. We're very much about, 'There’s nothing holding us here other than our desire to be together.'"[11]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1989 Troop Beverly Hills Chica Barnfell
1990 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael Young Roxy
1992 Murder Without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story Allison Connors Television film
A Private Matter Mary Beth Television film
1993 This Boy's Life Norma
Red Hot Valentina
Son in Law Rebecca Warner
1994 Motorcycle Gang Leann Morris Television film
1995 Miami Rhapsody Leslie
1996 Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco Delilah Voice
The War at Home Melissa
Wedding Bell Blues Violet
Michael Bride
1997 Lovelife Amy
1998 Jaded Megan 'Meg' Harris
Snake Eyes Julia Costello
Judas Kiss Coco Chavez
1999 Bonne Nuit Carol Reeves Television film
A Season for Miracles Emilie Thompson Television film
2001 Spy Kids Ingrid Cortez
The Center of the World Jerri
The Jimmy Show Annie O'Brien
The One T.K. / Massie Walsh
She Creature Lily Television film
2002 Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams Ingrid Cortez
2003 The Singing Detective Betty Dark / Hooker
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over Ingrid Cortez
2005 The Life Coach Carla
Sin City Lucille
2006 Even Money Veronica
Night at the Museum Rebecca
2007 The Lookout Janet
Rise: Blood Hunter Eve
American Gangster Laurie Roberts
2008 Righteous Kill Karen Corelli
2009 The Unborn Janet Beldon
Sparks Robin Short film
Watchmen Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre
Race to Witch Mountain Dr. Alex Friedman
The Mighty Macs Cathy Rush
Women in Trouble Elektra Luxx
Under the Hood Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre Short film
Apocrypha Woman Short film
2010 Elektra Luxx Elektra Luxx / Celia Credited as "Taryn Gugino"
Tell-Tale Femme Fatale Short film
Every Day Robin
Faster Cicero
2011 I Melt with You Officer Boyde
Girl Walks into a Bar Francine Driver
Hide D.D. Warren Television film
Sucker Punch Dr. Vera Gorski
Mr. Popper's Penguins Amanda
New Year's Eve Spiritual Dr. Morriset Segment: "Maternity Ward"
2012 Hotel Noir Hanna Click
2013 By Virtue Fall Actress
Man of Steel Kelor[14] Voice
2014 Match Lisa Davis
2015 San Andreas Emma Gaines
2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ship Voice
Wolves Jenny Keller
Bling Catherine Voice
2017 The Space Between Us Kendra Wyndham
Gerald's Game Jessie
2018 Elizabeth Harvest Claire
2021 Zack Snyder's Justice League Ship Voice
With/In: Volume 2 Writer Segment: "20 Questions"
Gunpowder Milkshake Madeleine
2024 Orion and the Dark Orion's Mom Voice
Lisa Frankenstein Janet Swallows
TBA Veo Veo A Family Sandra Short film; post-production
TBA Heads of State TBA Filming
TBA The Friend TBA Filming

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Webster Heather Episode: "Homecoming"
Good Morning, Miss Bliss Karen 1 episode
Who's the Boss? Jane Episode: "Prom Night II"
Saved by the Bell Karen Episode: "Summer Love"
1989 ALF Laura Episode: "Standing in the Shadows of Love"
1989–1990 Falcon Crest Sydney St. James 11 episodes
1990 American Dreamer Young Jessica Miniseries
Ferris Bueller Ann Peyson Episode: "Stand-In Deliver"
1991 Doogie Howser, M.D. Sara Newman Episode: "Planet of the Dateless"
The Wonder Years Sandy Episode: "Triangle"
1992 Quantum Leap Michelle Temple Cutter Episode: "Ghost Ship – August 13, 1956"
Davis Rules Kathi 2 episodes
1994 Rebel Highway Leann Morris 1 episode
1995 The Buccaneers Nan St. George Miniseries
1996, 1998 Spin City Ashley Schaeffer Main role (13 episodes)
1999 Hotel Alexandria Un­known Miniseries
1999–2000 Chicago Hope Dr. Gina Simon 23 episodes
2003 Karen Sisco Karen Sisco Miniseries
2005–2006 Threshold Dr. Molly Anne Caffrey 13 episodes
2007–2010 Entourage Amanda Daniels 12 episodes
2011 Californication Abby Rhodes 10 episodes
2012 Justified A.D. Karen Goodall Episode: "Cut Ties"
Political Animals Susan Berg Miniseries
New Girl Emma 3 episodes
2015–2016 Wayward Pines Kate Hewson 11 episodes
2015 The Brink Joanne "Jo" Larson Miniseries
2016 Roadies Shelli Anderson Miniseries
2017 Nashville Virginia Episode: "If Tomorrow Never Comes"
2018 Robot Chicken Joyce Byers / Meg Altman Voice, episode: "Mr. Mozzarella's Hamburger Skateboard Depot"
The Haunting of Hill House Olivia Crain Miniseries
2019 Jett Daisy "Jett" Kowalski Miniseries
2020 Manhunt: Deadly Games Kathy Scruggs 6 episodes
The Haunting of Bly Manor The Storyteller / Older Jamie Miniseries
2021 Midnight Mass Judge Miniseries
Leopard Skin Alba Fontana Miniseries
2023 The Fall of the House of Usher Verna Miniseries[15]
2024 The Girls on the Bus Grace Gordon Greene Main role
Key
Denotes works that have not yet been released

Music videos[edit]

Year Title Artist(s) Role
1994 "Always" Bon Jovi Herself
2016 "Where's the Love?" The Black Eyed Peas (featuring The World) Herself

Accolades[edit]

In 2009, Gugino was honored by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). During the Foundation's 34th Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C., she received NIAF's Special Achievement Award for Entertainment, presented by her close friend, actress Connie Britton.[16]

Year Award Category Work Result
1999 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Supporting Actress – Suspense Snake Eyes Nominated
2005 Golden Schmoes Awards Best T&A of the Year Sin City Nominated
2006 GoldDerby Awards Best Ensemble Cast (with cast) Nominated
2007 Capri Hollywood International Film Festival Awards Capri Italian American Award Won
Online Film & Television Association Awards Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Entourage Nominated
2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture American Gangster Nominated
2009 Scream Awards Best Supporting Actress Watchmen Nominated
2011 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actress – Action Faster Nominated
2015 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards Best Actress Tell-Tale Nominated
2017 Fright Meter Awards Gerald's Game Won
2019 Saturn Awards Best Actress in a Streaming Presentation The Haunting of Hill House Nominated
2024 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher Nominated
Critics' Choice Super Awards Best Villain in a Series Pending

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Star of the Day – Carla Gugino" Archived October 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine The Internet Movie Database; Accessed October 12, 2010
  2. ^ Webb Mitovich, Matt. "Threshold Plan Is a Success for Gugino" TVGuide.com; October 21, 2005
  3. ^ a b Deggans, Eric. "Floridian: Take 2, 'Karen Sisco'" Archived December 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Saint Petersburg Times; September 22, 2003
  4. ^ Landua, Peter. "A Woman We Love: Carla Gugino" Archived January 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Esquire; December 31, 2003
  5. ^ Brantley, Ben (November 16, 2006). "Another Magnolia Blossom at Risk". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 20, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  6. ^ Hochman, David (April 6, 2007). "Agent Provocative: Carla Gugino Teases HBO's Entourage". TV Guide.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2011.
  7. ^ "Stars line up for naked spread". ContactMusic.com. World Entertainment News Network. April 24, 2007. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ Isherwood, Charles (February 4, 2009). "A New Look at an Old Farm Threatened by Heat". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021.
  9. ^ Kit, Borys (August 9, 2007). "'Watchmen' adds Gugino as do-gooder". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007.
  10. ^ "Archive 2008–2009". outercritics.org. Outer Critics Circle Awards. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  11. ^ a b Bartolomeo, Joey (February 11, 2009). "Carla Gugino: The Most Beautiful People Laugh, Love and Have Great Sex" Archived May 30, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. People.
  12. ^ Salto, Stephen (March 10, 2011). "Carla Gugino and Sebastian Gutierrez’s Life of 'Luxx'-ury" Archived May 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. IFC.
  13. ^ Kirby, Brandon (September 28, 2012). "Carla Gugino, Kevin Connolly Attend Private Screening for 'Hotel Noir'" Archived October 31, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. The Hollywood Reporter.
  14. ^ Mitchell, Maurice (June 18, 2013). "Every Hidden Easter Egg in MAN OF STEEL – UPDATED [List]". TheGeekTwins.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
  15. ^ Doupe, Tyler (August 29, 2022). "Mike Flanagan's 'The Fall of the House of Usher' is officially in Post-Production". Dead Central. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  16. ^ NIAF 34th Anniversary Gala Review Archived November 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine; October 28, 2009; Accessed January 20, 2012.

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