Gia Carides

Gia Carides, born on June 7, 1964, in Sydney, Australia, is an accomplished actress known for her work in both Australian and American film and television. The daughter of a Greek father and an English mother, she began her acting career at the age of 12, making her film debut in The Love Letters from Teralba Road. Carides gained prominence with notable roles in Strictly Ballroom and Brilliant Lies, both of which earned her AFI Award nominations.
She is perhaps best known for her roles as Liz Holt in Strictly Ballroom, Susy Connor in Brilliant Lies, and Cousin Nikki in My Big Fat Greek Wedding and its sequels. Her acting range extends to comedies like Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and dramas such as Primary Colors and Year One. Carides has also appeared on the Australian TV series Police Rescue and had a guest role on her ex-husband Anthony LaPaglia's show Without a Trace.
Married to LaPaglia from 1998 to 2015, they starred together in Paperback Romance. Carides has been involved in philanthropic work, notably with the Young Storytellers Program. In 2024, she is set to appear in the ABC series Austin and the Stan Australia film Nugget is Dead. Alongside her film and TV work, Carides continues to balance projects between the U.S. and Australia.