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Who is Gina Gershon?
Gina Gershon is an American actress and singer, best known for her roles in films such as “Bound” in which she played Corky, then “Showgirls” in which she was Cristal Connors, and as Sasha Hassler in “Face/Off”. Gershon has also appeared in television shows such as “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” as Melanie Hawkins, and “Riverdale” as Gladys Jones, in addition to many other notable projects she’s worked on during her career.
Gina Gershon Wiki: Age, Childhood, and Education
Gina L. Gershon was born on 10 June 1962, in Los Angeles, California, USA. Her parents, Mickey Gershon (née Koppel), an interior decorator, and Stan Gershon, who worked in import-export and sales, provided a supportive upbringing for Gina and her siblings. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, Gershon attended Collier Street Elementary School and Woodland Hills Academy, formerly Parkman Junior High.
At the age of 14, Gershon’s passion for acting emerged, and she began her journey in the entertainment industry. She enrolled at Beverly Hills High School, where she honed her acting skills and nurtured her artistic aspirations. After graduating in 1980, Gershon made the decision to further pursue her acting dreams and moved to Boston to attend Emerson College, but later transferred to New York University, where she graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in drama and psychology/philosophy.
Career Beginnings
Gina Gershon made an uncredited appearance as a dancer in the 1981 film “Beatlemania”, directed by Joseph Manduke. “Beatlemania” was a musical documentary that recreated the early years of The Beatles and their impact on popular culture. Gershon’s role as a dancer in the film may have been a small part, but it marked one of her early experiences in the entertainment industry.
In 1986, Gina Gershon made her mark in the coming-of-age film “Pretty in Pink”. Directed by Howard Deutch, the movie followed the story of a high school girl named Andie, played by Molly Ringwald, navigating the complexities of social hierarchy and teenage romance.
Gershon continued to gain recognition in 1991 with a string of projects – in the crime thriller “Sweet Revenge”, she starred alongside Nancy Allen, playing two women seeking vengeance against the men who wronged them. She also appeared in the popular film “Cocktail”, directed by Roger Donaldson, in which she shared the screen with Tom Cruise and Elisabeth Shue. The movie explored the high-energy world of bartending and the challenges of love and ambition.
The same year, Gershon impressed audiences with her role in the John Sayles-directed urban drama “The City of Hope”. The film weaved together multiple storylines set in a contemporary city, tackling themes of corruption and social injustice. Gershon’s performance stood out among the ensemble cast, demonstrating her range and commitment to her craft. Additionally in 1991, she took on a recurring role in the TV series “Melrose Place”, playing a prostitute working for a Hollywood madam, adding depth and complexity to the overall drama of the popular series.
Rise to Prominence
Gina Gershon’s rise to prominence came with the 1996 film “Bound”, directed by the Wachowskis. In this neo-noir crime thriller, Gershon delivered a standout performance as Corky, an ex-con who becomes entangled in a dangerous affair with Violet, played by Jennifer Tilly, the girlfriend of a mobster.
In 1997, Gershon further solidified her standing in the industry by co-starring in John Woo’s action-packed thriller “Face/Off”, appearing alongside Hollywood heavyweights John Travolta and Nicolas Cage in a story that explored the concept of face transplantation. Gershon played Sasha Hassler, the loyal sister of Travolta’s character. Her involvement helped cement her reputation as a versatile actress capable of holding her own against formidable co-stars.
In 2004, Gershon’s talent and captivating presence earned her recognition when she was ranked #51 on the Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2004. This acknowledgment underscored her appeal and attractiveness to audiences while solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
She continued her career successfully, with roles in such popular films as “P.S. I Love You”. Directed by Richard LaGravenese, Gershon played Sharon McCarthy. The film is a romantic drama based on the novel of the same title by Cecelia Ahern. It tells the story of a young widow, played by Hilary Swank, who receives a series of letters from her late husband, guiding her through her grief and encouraging her to live life to the fullest.
Continued Success
Throughout her career, Gershon continued to take on challenging roles in a variety of films. In 2011, she starred alongside Matthew McConaughey in the dark comedy-thriller “Killer Joe”, directed by William Friedkin, which follows the twisted relationship between a hitman, played by McConaughey and a young man who hires him to kill his mother.
In 2013, Gina Gershon portrayed the iconic fashion designer Donatella Versace in the TV film “House of Versace”. The film, which premiered on Lifetime, delved into the turbulent period following the tragic murder of Donatella’s brother, Gianni Versace. Gershon’s performance garnered praise for her portrayal of the renowned fashion figure, capturing both the vulnerability and strength of Donatella Versace in the face of adversity.
"Heres a #tbt And a big Congradulations to my fake son on #glee… Darren Criss! Congrats baby!! @darrencriss #goldenglobewinner #proudfakemama" ~ Gina Gershon https://t.co/OyuU0vbvq1 pic.twitter.com/92TwRbCn0N
— Darren Criss Army (@DarrenArmy) January 10, 2019
In 2015, Gershon made a guest appearance in the hit TV musical series “Glee” during its sixth and final season, portraying the character of Blaine’s mother. During the same year, Gershon had a recurring role in the Amazon Prime Video series “Red Oaks”. The comedy-drama series set in the 1980s, followed the life of a college student working as an assistant tennis pro at a country club.
In 2017, Gershon had a recurring role in the popular comedy series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, portraying the villainous character Lt. Melanie Hawkins, a tough and cunning detective who added an extra layer of tension and excitement to the show’s dynamic.
The same year, she had the lead role in the mystery thriller, directed by Ben Browder, “Bad Kids of Crestview Academy”, which followed a group of delinquent students investigating the mysterious death of their headmistress.
Additionally, she appeared in the comedy film “Lost Cat Corona”, and the romantic comedy-drama “Permission”, in which she shared the screen with Rebecca Hall and Dan Stevens, respectively. In the thriller “Inconceivable”, she co-starred alongside Nicolas Cage, adding her talent to a gripping narrative. Furthermore, Gershon portrayed a character affected by the 11 September attacks in the drama film “9/11”, starring alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Luis Guzmán, and Charlie Sheen.
In 2018, Gina Gershon had a recurring role in the popular teen drama series “Riverdale”, portraying Gladys Jones, the mother of the show’s main character, Jughead Jones, played by Cole Sprouse. Gladys Jones is a complex and enigmatic character who returns to the town of Riverdale after being absent for a period of time.
The character is known for her assertive and cunning nature, and quickly establishes herself as a formidable force, becoming involved in various criminal activities, and manipulating those around her to serve her own interests. Gladys becomes entangled in the town’s dark secrets and plays a significant role in the ongoing conflicts and power struggles within the series.
Gina Gershon’s portrayal of Gladys Jones added a new layer of intrigue and intensity to the already captivating world of “Riverdale”. She shared the screen with other talented cast members, including Cole Sprouse, Lili Reinhart, KJ Apa, and Camila Mendes, bringing depth to the complex family dynamics and providing memorable scenes throughout the series.
Recent Work
Gershon’s recent work includes the 2018 adventure drama film “American Dresser”, directed by Carmine Cangialosi. The movie follows the journey of a man, played by Tom Berenger, who embarks on a motorcycle road trip to confront his past. She also appeared in the drama film “After Everything”, a poignant story about two young adults navigating a serious illness and love, starring alongside Maika Monroe and Jeremy Allen White. Additionally, Gershon had a small but memorable role in the comedy “Blockers”, directed by Kay Cannon, which explored the humorous and heartfelt journey of parents trying to prevent their teenagers from losing their virginity.
Gina started the present decade with the lead role in the sports film “Cagefighter: Worlds Collide”, directed by Jesse Quinones, which delved into the world of mixed martial arts, following a champion fighter’s journey as he faced unexpected challenges. She also appeared in Woody Allen’s “Rifkin’s Festival”, a comedy set against the backdrop of a prestigious film festival in San Sebastian, Spain. Despite the controversy surrounding Allen, Gershon defended her decision to work with him, and expressed her happiness in collaborating on the project.
In the realm of television, Gershon had a recurring role in the medical drama series “New Amsterdam”, adding her talent to the show’s cast.
To speak further of her accomplishments, in 2022, Gina Gershon appeared in the film “Emily the Criminal”, in which she portrayed Alice. Directed by John Patton Ford, the film revolves around the story of Emily, a young woman who becomes entangled in a life of crime. Most recently, she appeared in the TV series “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens”, starring Awkwafina. She is now working on several projects, including the film “Thanksgiving”, scheduled for premiere later in 2023.
Personal Life, Marriage, Husband, Children
Gina is very secretive about her personal life. However, it’s known that she dated Belgian entrepreneur and formed soccer played Robert Dekeyser from 2015 to 2018.
Appearance and Body Measurements
Gina Gershon has dark brown hair and brown eyes. She stands at a height of 5ft 7ins (1.7m), weighs approximately 130lbs (59kgs), with vital statistics of 35-27-35, bra size 40C.
