Gia Carides


Gia Carides is an Australian actress. She is best known for her portrayals of Liz Holt in Strictly Ballroom, Susy Connor in Brilliant Lies, Cousin Nikki in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Melissa in Big Little Lies.

Early life

Carides was born in Sydney, Australia, to a Greek father and an English mother. Gia is sister to Zoe Carides, also an actress, and Danielle Carides, a singer songwriter. She began acting at the age of 12; her first film was the drama The Love Letters from Teralba Road.

Career

Early in her career, Carides starred as Helena Angelopolous on the Australian television series Police Rescue, also receiving acclaim for her films Strictly Ballroom and Brilliant Lies, with AFI Award nominations for each.
She is also known for her roles as Robin Swallows in and as Cousin Nikki in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the sequel television show My Big Fat Greek Life, and the sequel film My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.
Carides works in both America and Australia, recognised for a host of film and television credits including Primary Colors, Year One and East of Everything. She also appeared in a guest spot on husband Anthony LaPaglia's television series Without A Trace.
She has volunteered as an actress with the Young Storytellers Program.

Personal life

Carides was married to actor Anthony LaPaglia, whom she met in Sydney in 1992. A year later they starred together in the film Paperback Romance. She and LaPaglia are the parents of daughter Bridget, born in January 2003.
In April 2015, newspapers reported that LaPaglia and Carides had split after 17 years.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977'Maureen
1983Midnite SparesRuth Mintos
1983Phar LapEmma WoodcockCredited as Georgia Carr
1984Annie's Coming OutNarrator
1985'Chambermaid
1985BlissLucy Joy
1987BacklashNikki Iceton
1992GreenkeepingGina
1992Strictly BallroomLiz Holt
1992'Wendy
1994Paperback RomanceSophie
1995Bad CompanyJulie Ames
1996'Kathy
1996Two If by SeaJoan Rappaport
1996Brilliant LiesSusy Connor
1997LifebreathGale Pullman
1998Primary ColorsCashmere McLeod
1998Letters from a KillerLita
1999'Robin Swallows
2000'SandyVideo
2000MazeJulianne
2001Jack the DogGeorgia
2002My Big Fat Greek WeddingCousin Nikki
2003ExposedJade Blake
2005One Last Thing...Madelene
2006Thank HeavenCybil
2006Stick ItAlice Graham
2007'ClaraShort film
2009Year OneQueen
2011In Loco ParentisMumShort film
2011Burning ManCarol
2015This Isn't FunnyGillian Jones
2016My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2Cousin Nikki
2016Joe Cinque's ConsolationMaria Cinque

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983'Tracy PowerEpisode: "Hair of the Dog: Part 1"
Episode: "Hair of the Dog: Part 2"
1984Five Mile CreekBethEpisode: "Maggie"
1986Studio 86Episode: "Strawberry Girl"
Episode: "Sisters in the Bathroom"
1989Inside RunningTV series
1991Boys from the BushEpisode: "The Stuffed Platypus"
Episode: "Poetic Galah"
1991Acropolis NowHaroulaEpisode: "The Goddess"
1992'SallyTV short
1992'Jean Echo13 episodes
1992-1993Police RescueHelena Angelopoulos7 episodes
1993Seven Deadly SinsGluttonyTV miniseries
1995'Vesper, Vox's High PriestessTV movie
1997ERSuzanne AlnerEpisode: "You Bet Your Life"
1997FirehouseCharlotte BrooksTV movie
1997'EvaTV movie
1999MimiTV movie
2003My Big Fat Greek LifeNikki7 episodes
2003GladiusAdditional VoicesVideo game
2005Without a TraceStephanie PattersonEpisode: "4.0"
2008-2009East of EverythingMelanie Freedman10 episodes
2011Small Time GangsterDarlene8 episodes
2017–PresentBig Little LiesMelissa9 episodes
2017Twin PeaksHannah1 episode
2017The LibrariansLenore Jones1 episode