Gia Carides

Gia Carides (Greek: Γιά Καρίδη, romanized: Giá Karídi; born 7 June 1964) is an Australian actress. She portrayed Liz Holt in Strictly Ballroom (1992), Susy Connor in Brilliant Lies (1996), and Cousin Nikki in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise (2002–2023).

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Quick Facts Born, Education ...

Gia Carides
Gia Carides and Anthony LaPaglia in 2013
Born	(1964-06-07) 7 June 1964 (age 60) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Education	Riverside Girls High Chatswood High School
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1977–present
Spouse	Anthony LaPaglia ​ ​ (m. 1998; div. 2015)​
Children	1

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Carides was born in Sydney, Australia, to a Greek father and an English mother.^[1] 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.^[2]

Early in her career, Carides starred as Helena Angelopolous on the Australian television series Police Rescue,^[3] also receiving acclaim for her films Strictly Ballroom and Brilliant Lies, with AFI Award nominations for each.^[4][2]

She is also known for her roles as Robin Swallows (née Spitz) in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and as Cousin Nikki in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the sequel television show My Big Fat Greek Life, and the two sequel films (My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3).

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.

In 2024 Carides was named to appear in ABC series Austin,^[5] and was also named in the cast for Stan Australia feature film Nugget is Dead.^[6]

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 (a.k.a. Lucky Break).^[1] She and LaPaglia are the parents of daughter Bridget, born in January 2003.

In April 2015, newspapers reported that LaPaglia and Carides had ended their relationship after 17 years.^[7]