Kit De Luca Uncovered: 5 Shocking Facts About Laura San Giacomo's Life After Pretty Woman (2025 Updates)

Few supporting roles in cinematic history have left as indelible a mark as Kit De Luca, the street-smart, wisecracking best friend to Julia Roberts' Vivian Ward in the iconic 1990 romantic comedy, Pretty Woman. While the film launched Roberts into superstardom, Laura San Giacomo's performance as Kit provided the necessary grit and grounding reality to the modern-day Cinderella story, a crucial element that many fans remember decades later. As of December 2025, the actress remains active in Hollywood, balancing a steady acting career with profound advocacy work that has defined her life off-screen.

The enduring popularity of Pretty Woman ensures that San Giacomo's name is forever linked to the character of Kit, who was a vital force in the film's narrative. From her unforgettable line delivery to her unwavering loyalty, Kit De Luca is a beloved figure whose story continued even after Vivian drove off with Edward Lewis. This deep dive uncovers the actress's full career, her current projects, and the powerful, personal mission that has shaped her life since her breakout role.

Laura San Giacomo: Complete Biography and Professional Profile

Laura San Giacomo's career is marked by a fascinating duality: her early success came from two vastly different but equally influential films, establishing her as both a critically acclaimed dramatic actress and a mainstream comedic star. Before her turn as Kit De Luca, she garnered significant attention for a darker, more complex role.

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• Full Name: Laura San Giacomo
• Date of Birth: November 14, 1962
• Birthplace: West Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
• Education: Carnegie Mellon School of Drama (Degree in Fine Arts, majoring in acting)
• Breakthrough Role: Cynthia Patrice Bishop in Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
• Iconic Film Role: Kit De Luca in Pretty Woman (1990)
• Major Television Role: Maya Gallo on the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me! (1997–2003)
• Key Awards and Nominations:
  • Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female (for Sex, Lies, and Videotape)
  • Golden Globe Nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (for Sex, Lies, and Videotape)
  • BAFTA Film Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (for Sex, Lies, and Videotape)
• Spouse: Matt Adler (Married 2000)
• Son: Mason (Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy)

The Darker Reality: Kit De Luca and the Original Pretty Woman Script

While Pretty Woman is remembered as a quintessential romantic comedy, the film's origins were far from a fairy tale. Laura San Giacomo’s character, Kit De Luca, is the most direct link to the movie’s darker, grittier roots, a fact that sheds a new light on her performance and the film’s overall message.

The Original "3,000" Screenplay

The film was initially titled 3,000, referring to the amount Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) pays Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) for a week of her time. The original screenplay was a much bleaker drama, focusing on the harsh realities of sex work and addiction. The ending was notoriously dark: Vivian was supposed to be left on the street, and in some versions, Kit De Luca’s story had a tragic conclusion.

San Giacomo herself confirmed this stark contrast, noting that the original film was intended to be "a much darker, gritty" story. Director Garry Marshall, however, championed the shift to a romantic comedy, which led to the film we know today. Kit's role as the loyal, yet struggling, friend served as a vital anchor to the world Vivian was leaving behind. Her scenes often provided the necessary emotional depth and reality check, preventing the story from floating entirely into fantasy.

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San Giacomo's Critical Acclaim Pre-Pretty Woman

It is often forgotten that San Giacomo was already a critical darling before Pretty Woman was released. Her performance in Steven Soderbergh's 1989 indie sensation, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, earned her a Golden Globe nomination and an Independent Spirit Award. This role, as the sexually liberated and complex Cynthia, showcased her dramatic range and established her as one of Hollywood's most promising young talents. Landing the role of Kit immediately after this critical success demonstrated her versatility, moving seamlessly from a provocative indie drama to a mainstream blockbuster.

Life and Career Updates: Laura San Giacomo in 2025

Unlike some of her peers, Laura San Giacomo has maintained a steady, if less public, career in the decades following Pretty Woman. She is perhaps best known to a younger generation for her seven-season run as the fashion editor Maya Gallo on the hit sitcom Just Shoot Me!. However, her most recent work proves she is still highly sought after in the industry, with several new projects slated for 2025.

Upcoming Projects in Film and Television

As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, San Giacomo is actively involved in new productions, demonstrating her continued presence on screen:

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• Television Appearance: She is slated to appear in Season 22 of the long-running procedural drama NCIS in 2024.
• Upcoming Film: The actress is also listed for an upcoming movie titled One Last Sin, which is expected to be released in 2025.

These recent roles confirm that San Giacomo is not resting on her past successes. Her willingness to take on varied roles in both film and television showcases her commitment to her craft, nearly 35 years after Pretty Woman first premiered.

The Profound Work as a Special Needs Advocate

Perhaps the most significant and inspiring chapter of Laura San Giacomo’s life since her rise to fame is her dedicated advocacy work. This mission began after the birth of her son, Mason, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

Inspired by her son's journey, San Giacomo became a passionate advocate for inclusion and accessibility for children with special needs. Her commitment led her to co-found the CHIME Charter School in California, a groundbreaking educational institution dedicated to providing inclusive education where students with and without special needs learn together in the same classrooms.

Furthermore, she has been a long-time supporter and spokesperson for Inclusion Matters by Shane’s Inspiration, a non-profit organization that creates universally accessible playgrounds and promotes inclusive play. This personal investment in the lives of children with disabilities has become a central focus of her life, often taking precedence over the demands of a full-time Hollywood career. Her work in this area gives her public profile a depth and purpose that resonates far beyond the screen.

The Enduring Legacy of Kit De Luca

The character of Kit De Luca is more than just a sidekick; she is a mirror reflecting the harsh realities that Vivian Ward was escaping. Her famous lines, such as her advice on how to spot a wealthy man, are still quoted today, and her genuine warmth provided a necessary emotional counterpoint to the high-stakes, transactional world of Edward Lewis. The fact that Laura San Giacomo’s career continues to thrive—from her early critical success in Sex, Lies, and Videotape to her long-running sitcom role in Just Shoot Me! and her current projects like NCIS S22 and One Last Sin—is a testament to her talent.

However, her greatest legacy might be found not in her filmography, but in her advocacy. By using her platform to champion causes like the CHIME Charter School and Inclusion Matters, Laura San Giacomo has ensured that her impact on the world is as meaningful and enduring as her unforgettable role in Pretty Woman.