Australian actress Gia Carides gained recognition for her portrayal of ‘Liz Holt’ in the 1992 romantic comedy ‘Strictly Ballroom’. In the 2002 romantic comedy ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’, she played the role of ‘Cousin Nikki’.
Gia has also appeared in numerous television shows and TV films since her debut on the small screen in 1983, with her first role in the Australian serial drama ‘A Country Practice’.
Early Life & Family
Gia Carides, born on June 7, 1964, in Sydney, New South Wales, comes from a mixed heritage with an English mother and a Greek father.
Growing up, she was surrounded by her sisters – Zoe Carides, who also pursued acting, and Danielle Carides, a singer-songwriter. Carides showed a natural flair for performing from a young age and began her acting career at just 12 years old. She attended Chatswood High School during her formative years.
Gia Carides Career
Gia Carides began her career as an actress in both stage productions and movies at a young age. Her passion for acting began in childhood, and she made her first appearance on screen at the age of 12. In 1977, she landed her first professional film role in ‘The Love Letters from Teralba Road,’ but it would be five years before she received her next opportunity.
She had the opportunity to star in two movies, ‘Midnite Spares’ and ‘Phar Lap’, in 1983 where she played the characters of ‘Ruth Mintos’ and ‘Emma Woodcock’.
She also had a role in the TV series ‘A Country Practice’ as ‘Tracy Power’. Later on, she was seen in various films and shows such as ‘Bliss’, ‘Backlash’, ‘Studio 86’, ‘Inside Running’, ‘Boys from the Bush’, ‘Acropolis Now’, and ‘Greenkeeping’.
She achieved a major milestone in her career in 1992 when she landed a role in the Australian rom-com ‘Strictly Ballroom’ and was cast as ‘Helena Angelopoulos’ in the TV show ‘Police Rescue’. Her performance in ‘Strictly Ballroom’ earned her a nomination for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ at the AFI Awards.
In 1996, Gia Carides played the role of ‘Susy Connor’ in the Australian drama ‘Brilliant Lies’ and received high acclaim for her performance. She was nominated for ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ at the ‘AFI Awards’ and was praised for her portrayal.
In the following twenty years, Gia starred in numerous Hollywood and Australian films and also made significant appearances on various TV shows, either as a guest or in supporting roles.
Gia Carides had roles in both the American spy comedy ‘Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me’ as ‘Robin Spitz’ and the Canadian-American romantic comedy ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ as ‘Cousin Nikki’, directed by Joel Zwick.
She reprised her role in the sequel to ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ in addition to her appearances in both Australian and American films. She also made a guest appearance on her husband Anthony LaPaglia’s show ‘Without A Trace.’
Personal Life
In 1992, Gia Carides and actor Anthony LaPaglia got married after meeting in Sydney. They were together for 17 years and had a daughter, Bridget, who was born in January 2003. However, they ended their relationship in June 2016.
Net Worth
Despite being in the entertainment industry for a long time, Gia Carides continues to actively display her range and skill through various projects. Recently, she has been part of multiple productions and is set to appear in the TV show “Austin” as Mel Hogan. The series is expected to debut in 2024.
According to multiple online reports, the seasoned actress is said to have a net worth of $3 million. She makes a living through her various roles in the film industry, including acting, directing, and producing.
