Gina Gershon
| Gina L. Gershon | |
|---|---|
 Gershon in June 2011 | |
| Born |
June 10, 1962 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New York University |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, author |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Website |
www |
Gina L. Gershon (born June 10, 1962) is an American film, television and stage actress, singer and author. She is known for her roles in the films Cocktail (1988), Showgirls (1995), Bound (1996), Face/Off (1997), The Insider (1999), Demonlover (2002), P.S. I Love You (2007), Five Minarets in New York (2010), Killer Joe (2011) and House of Versace (2013). She has also had supporting roles in FX's Rescue Me and HBO's How to Make It in America.
Early life
Gershon was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of mother Mickey Gershon (née Koppel),[1] an interior decorator, and father Stan Gershon, who worked in the import-export business and in sales.[2][3] Gershon was raised in a Jewish family in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley[4] She has an older brother, Dan Gershon, and an older sister, Tracy Gershon.
Gershon went to Collier Street Elementary School and Woodland Hills Academy (formerly known as Parkman Middle School).[5] Gershon attended Beverly Hills High School and started acting at the age of 14. After graduating from high school in 1980, Gershon moved to Boston to attend Emerson College. She transferred to New York University, and graduated with a BFA in drama and psychology/philosophy in 1983.[6]
Gershon said she always wanted to be an actor, but her career began in music and dance.[5]
Career
Theater
Gershon attended the Circle in the Square Professional Theater School in New York, working first with David Mamet and later with Harold Guskin and Sandra Seacat, whom she has described in interviews as "a huge influence."[7][8] Gershon is one of the founding members of the New York-based theater group Naked Angels.[9]
She has appeared on Broadway three times, as Sally Bowles in the revival of Cabaret, in the revival of the sex farce Boeing-Boeing, and played Rosie Alvarez in the 2010 Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie at the Roundabout Theatre Company.[10]
Her first acting venues were stage appearances in Camille and The Substance of Fire.
Film
She had a cameo role in The Cars 1984 video "Hello Again" alongside Andy Warhol. Her break came with a bit part in 1986's Pretty in Pink which led to more substantial roles in Sweet Revenge with Nancy Allen and Cocktail, with Tom Cruise and Elisabeth Shue and in John Sayles' urban drama City of Hope (1991). Gershon also worked in television, with a recurring role on Melrose Place playing a prostitute working for a Heidi Fleiss-esque Hollywood madam. She won critical acclaim for her portrayal of Nancy Sinatra in the made-for-TV biopic Sinatra. In 1996, she played Corky, an ex-con who gets mixed up in an affair with Violet (played by Jennifer Tilly), in the mobster flick Bound. The following year, she costarred with John Travolta and Nicolas Cage in Face/Off.[9]
Gershon is regarded as a gay icon[11] because of her roles in movies such as Bound (in which she played a butch lesbian), Prey for Rock & Roll, and Showgirls (in which she played a bisexual, and which is regarded as a camp classic). She was ranked #23 on the Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2004.[12]
TV and online work
On television, she has recurring roles on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm (as a Hasidic dry cleaner), Rescue Me, and the U.S. dramedy series Ugly Betty (as Italian cosmetics mogul Fabia, the rival of Wilhelmina Slater). She also has served as the voiceover for Major League Baseball's "I Live For This" promotional campaign. She has also played the voice of Catwoman in the 2007 animated series The Batman.
On September 10, 2008, Gershon appeared in a video on funnyordie.com, parodying former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, titled "Gina Gershon Strips Down Sarah Palin"[13] which she followed with "Gina Gershon Does Sarah Palin 2".[14]
In 2011, she appeared as a recurring character in the HBO series How to Make It in America.[15] Her portrayal of Donatella Versace in Lifetime's House of Versace earned her praise from fashion critic Cathy Horyn.[16]
On December 19, 2014, it was announced that Gershon would guest star in Glee's sixth and final season as Pam, the mother of Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss).[17]
Music
Gershon played Jew's harp on "I Can't Decide", a song on the Scissor Sisters 2006 release Ta-Dah. She also played Jew's harp on the song "I Do It For Your Love", Paul Simon's collaboration with Herbie Hancock on his album Possibilities, in a duo with bassist Christian McBride on the song "Chitlins and Gefiltefish", on McBride's 2011 album Conversations with Christian, and on "Maria" from her album In Search of Cleo.
She had a cameo role in The Cars 1984 video "Hello Again" alongside Andy Warhol. She appeared in Lenny Kravitz's music video entitled "Again".
Books
She and her brother Dan are the authors of the children's book Camp Creepy Time.
Gershon's first book written for adults, In Search of Cleo: How I Found My Pussy and Lost My Mind, is the true story of the hunt for her runaway cat[18] and was released on October 11, 2012.[19]
Personal life
A 2008 Vanity Fair article linked her romantically with former President Bill Clinton. She denied the connection, saying on the June 9 episode of the TV show Live with Regis and Kelly "It is such a crazy, outrageous lie... I met him three times at events. [These rumors] disturbed me on so many levels."[20]
In a 2014 interview with Larry King, Gershon said that she was in a relationship with DEDON outdoor furniture founder Robert "Bobby" Dekeyser.[5]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Beatlemania | Dancer (uncredited) | |
| 1985 | Girls Just Want to Have Fun | Dancer (uncredited) | |
| 1986 | 3:15 | Cobrettes | |
| 1986 | Pretty in Pink | Trombley, Girl Friend / Gym Class | |
| 1987 | Sweet Revenge | K.C. | |
| 1988 | Red Heat | Catherine 'Cat' Manzetti | |
| 1988 | Cocktail | Coral | |
| 1989 | Suffering Bastards | Sharnetta | |
| 1990 | Voodoo Dawn | Tina | |
| 1991 | Out for Justice | Patti Madano | |
| 1991 | Jungle Fever | Angie's Neighbor (scenes deleted) | |
| 1991 | City of Hope | Laurie Rinaldi | |
| 1992 | Player, TheThe Player | Whitney Gersh | |
| 1993 | Joey Breaker | Jenny Chaser | |
| 1994 | Black and White | ||
| 1994 | Flinch | Daphne James | Video |
| 1995 | Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back | Margo Preston | |
| 1995 | Showgirls | Cristal Connors | Nominated – Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress |
| 1996 | Bound | Corky | Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Actress Nominated – MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss |
| 1997 | This World, Then the Fireworks | Carol Lakewood Morton | |
| 1997 | Touch | Debra Lusanne | |
| 1997 | Face/Off | Sasha Hassler | |
| 1998 | Palmetto | Nina | |
| 1998 | Lulu on the Bridge | Hannah | |
| 1998 | One Tough Cop | Joey O'Hara | |
| 1998 | I'm Losing You | Lidia | |
| 1998 | Prague Duet | Dr. Lauren Graham | |
| 1999 | Black and White | Nora 'Hugs' Hugosian | |
| 1999 | Guinevere | Billie | |
| 1999 | Insider, TheThe Insider | Helen Caperelli | |
| 2001 | Driven | Cathy Heguy | |
| 2001 | Picture Claire | Lily Warden | |
| 2002 | Slackers | Girl at Trendy Club (uncredited) | |
| 2002 | Demonlover | Elaine Si Gibril | |
| 2002 | Borderline | Dr. Lila Coletti | |
| 2003 | Prey for Rock & Roll | Jacki | |
| 2004 | Out of Season | Eileen Phillips | |
| 2004 | Three Way | Florence DeCroix Hagen | |
| 2005 | One Last Thing... | Arlene | |
| 2005 | Category 7: The End of the World | Judith Carr | |
| 2006 | Dreamland | Mary | |
| 2006 | Man About Town | Arlene Kreiner | |
| 2006 | Kettle of Fish | Ginger | |
| 2006 | Delirious | Dana | |
| 2007 | What Love Is | Rachel | |
| 2007 | P.S. I Love You | Sharon | |
| 2008 | Just Business | Marty Jameson | Video |
| 2008 | Beer for My Horses | Cammie | |
| 2008 | Gina Gershon Strips Down Sarah Palin | Sarah Palin | Video short |
| 2009 | Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard., TheThe Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard. | (uncredited) | |
| 2010 | Love Ranch | Irene | |
| 2010 | Five Minarets in New York | Maria | |
| 2010 | Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright | Mariel Garza | Video |
| 2011 | Sarah Palin Media Addict | Sarah Palin | Short film |
| 2011 | Killer Joe | Sharla Smith | Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2011 | Breathless | Lorna | |
| 2012 | LOL | Kathy | |
| 2012 | The Unknown Son | Mrs. Prentice | |
| 2013 | Dealin' with Idiots | Sophie | |
| 2014 | The Scribbler | Cleo | |
| 2014 | Mall | Donny | |
| 2014 | The Lookalike | Lee Garner | |
| 2015 | Staten Island Summer | Ms. Greeley | |
| 2016 | Bad Kids of Crestview Academy | Senator Wilkes | Post-production |
| TBA | Lost Cat Corona | Connie | Filming |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Stark: Mirror Image | Alison Cromwell | Movie |
| 1987 | The Twilight Zone | Laura | Episode: "Time and Teresa Golowitz" |
| 1989 | Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, TheThe Days and Nights of Molly Dodd | Randy Lewis | 3 episodes |
| 1989 | Monsters | Ann | Episode: "Jar" |
| 1990 | Cop Rock | Stacey Kane | Episode: "The Cocaine Mutiny" |
| 1992 | Miss Rose White | Angie | TV movie |
| 1992 | Sinatra | Nancy Barbato Sinatra | Miniseries |
| 1993 | Love Matters | Heat | Movie |
| 1993 | Melrose Place | Ellen | 3 episodes |
| 1994 | Untouchables, TheThe Untouchables | Becky Petrov | Episode: "The Skin Trade" |
| 1997 | Ellen | The Cashier (uncredited) | Episode: "The Puppy Episode: Part 2" |
| 1998 | Legalese | Angela Beale | Movie |
| 1999–2000 | Snoops | Glenn Hall | 13 episodes |
| 2000 | Saturday Night Live | Wilma Slotsin (uncredited) | Episode: "Jackie Chan/Kid Rock" |
| 2002–2003 | Just Shoot Me! | Rhonda Ferrara | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | Spider-Man: The New Animated Series | Shikata (voice) | Episode: "Sword of Shikata" Episode: "Keeping Secrets" |
| 2004 | Practice, TheThe Practice | Glenn Hall | Episode: "The Firm" |
| 2004 | Tripping the Rift | Six | 13 episodes |
| 2004 | Kevin Hill | Carly Austin | Episode: "The Good Life" |
| 2004 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Anna | Episode: "The Survivor" |
| 2004–2007 | The Batman | Catwoman / Selina Kyle (voice) | 5 episodes |
| 2005 | Studio, TheThe Studio | Bebe Knight | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2005 | Crossing Jordan | Charlie Davis | Episode: "Embraceable You" |
| 2005 | Family Guy | Policewoman (voice) | Episode: "Blind Ambition" |
| 2005 | Category 7: The End of the World | FEMA Director Judith Carr | TV movie |
| 2005 | American Dad! | Karen / Various (voice) | Episode: "Homeland Insecurity" Episode: "Stan of Arabia: Part 2" |
| 2006–2007 | Ugly Betty | Fabia | 3 episodes: "Pilot" "I'm Coming Out" "East Side Story" |
| 2007 | Psych | Emilina Saffron | Episode: "American Duos" |
| 2007 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Anna | Episode: "The Anonymous Donor" |
| 2007–2009 | Rescue Me | Valerie | 9 episodes |
| 2009 | Life on Mars | Rita | Episode: "Coffee, Tea, or Annie" |
| 2009 | Numb3rs | Danielle Hill | Episode: "12:01 AM" |
| 2009 | Eastbound & Down | Realtor | Episode: "Chapter 5" |
| 2009 | Everything She Ever Wanted | Pat Allanson | Miniseries |
| 2010 | Glory Daze | Lt. Lang | Episode: "What's Love Got to Nude with It" |
| 2011 | How to Make It in America | Nancy Frankenburg | 7 episodes |
| 2013 | Maron | Alexa | Episode: "A Real Woman" |
| 2013 | House of Versace | Donatella Versace | Movie |
| 2013 | Hunt For the Labyrinth Killer | Karen Donovan | Movie |
| 2013 | Anger Management | Mandy | 1 episode |
| 2013–14 | Cleaners | Mother | Main role (18 episodes) |
| 2014 | Elementary | Elana March | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Community | Devon's wife | Episode: "VCR Maintenance and Educational Publishing" |
| 2015 | Glee | Pam Anderson | 1 episode |
| 2015 | Z Nation | La Reina de la Muerte | Episode: "Party With the Zeros" Episode: "Adiós, Muchachos" Episode: "All Good Things Must Come to an End" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Cabaret | Sally Bowles | |
| 2008 | Boeing Boeing | Gabriella | |
| 2009 | Bye Bye Birdie | Rose Alvarez | |
| 2014 | Ghost Brothers of Darkland County | Monique McCandless | [21] |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | In Search of Cleo |
References
- ↑ "Gina L Gersohn: California, Birth Index, 1905-1995". FamilySearch. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
Gina L Gersohn [sic], 10 Jun 1962; citing Los Angeles, California, United States, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento.
- ↑ "Gina Gershon Biography (1962–)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
- ↑ "Gina Gershon". Yahoo Movies. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
- ↑ "Patrica Sheridan's Breakfast With ... Gina Gershon". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
- 1 2 3 King, Larry (30 September 2013). "Gina Gershon". Larry King Now. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ↑ Marc Maron (7 March 2013). "WTF with Marc Maron Podcast - Episode 367 - Gina Gershon" (Podcast). WTF with Marc Maron. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ↑ Paul Chutkow: "I Dream of Gina," Cigar Aficionado, Sept/Oct 1998
- ↑ Dawn Kay: "Gina Gershon;" The Lab Magazine; August 12, 2012
- 1 2 NetGlimse Gina Gershon biography
- ↑ Time 2 hours and 30 minutes. (1 Intermission). "Bye Bye Birdie Tickets | Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
- ↑ http://www.afterellen.com/TV/totallygay.html Afterellen.com Retrieved on 04-19-07
- ↑ "FreeJose.com". Maxim Magazine Hot 100 Women of 2004. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
- ↑ "Gina Gershon Strips Down Sarah Palin". Funnyordie.com. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
- ↑ "Gina Gershon Does Sarah Palin 2". Funnyordie.com. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
- ↑ , HBO.com, retrieved 2013-06-18
- ↑ Horyn, Cathy, "Why Fashion Films Are Usually Cartoons," New York Times, Sun. Oct. 6, 2013, p. 13
- ↑ "Glee Season 6 Spoilers Gina Gershon as Blaine's Mom". MJSBIGBLOG. December 19, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Gina Gershon writing book about missing cat". New York Magazine. July 30, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
- ↑ "Gina Gershon talks 'Killer Joe,' her career, new book". Philly.com. August 5, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
- ↑ The Los Angeles Times Vanity Fair links Bill Clinton to actress Gina Gershon
- ↑ "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County | Stephen King, John Mellencamp & T Bone Burnett's Supernatural musical featuring Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson & more. In stores now". www.ghostbrothersofdarklandcounty.com. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gina Gershon. |
- GinaGershon.com (official website)
- Gina Gershon at the Internet Movie Database
- Gina Gershon at the Notable Names Database
- Q&A from Entertainment Weekly (June 19, 2007)