Gia Carides

**Gia Carides** (born 7 June 1964) is an Australian actress known for her versatile screen presence across both Australian and Hollywood productions. Born in *Sydney, New South Wales* to a Greek father and an English mother, she grew up in a culturally rich household that fostered her love of performance. She is the older sister of actress *Zoe Carides* and singer‑songwriter *Danielle Carides*, and began acting at the age of twelve, landing her first film role in *The Love Letters from Teralba Road*. After completing her education at Riverside Girls High and Chatswood High School, she quickly transitioned to television, earning early recognition as Helena Angelopolous on the series *Police Rescue*. Her breakthrough came with the 1992 Baz Luhrmann‑directed dance drama *Strictly Ballroom*, where she portrayed Liz Holt, a role that garnered an AFI Award nomination and cemented her status as a rising talent.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s Carides built an eclectic résumé, alternating between comedic and dramatic parts. She delivered a memorable performance as *Robin Swallows* (née Spitz) in *Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me* and won audience affection as Cousin Nikki in the *My Big Fat Greek Wedding* franchise, appearing in the original film, its television spin‑off *My Big Fat Greek Life*, and both sequels released in 2023. Her American credits include *Primary Colors*, *Year One*, and a guest spot on *Without a Trace* opposite her then‑husband Anthony LaPaglia. In addition to screen work, she has contributed to the arts community by volunteering with the Young Storytellers Program. Most recently, Carides was announced as part of the ABC series *Austin* and the Stan Australia feature *Nugget is Dead* in 2024, demonstrating her continued relevance and adaptability in the evolving entertainment landscape.