She Was Everywhere in the '90s but Focused on Raising Her Son with Cerebral Palsy – Where Is She Now?

When her son was born with a disability, she approached it not with fear, but with resolve. Rather than accept narrow expectations, she devoted herself to creating space for him to thrive in a world that often overlooks difference. She'd spent years mastering roles on screen, but this one would become the most defining of her life.

In the 1990s, she was one of Hollywood's most recognizable actresses. She took on a wide range of roles, including a multi-season run on a primetime sitcom that brought her into homes across the country.

But when her son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, she restructured her professional life to support his needs. She did what she could to remain close by.

From Indie Darling to Mainstream Success

Before becoming a mother, she was best known for her bold, layered characters on screen. Her breakthrough came in 1989 with the independent drama "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," where she played Cynthia, a role that earned critical praise and marked her arrival in Hollywood.

Just one year later, she starred alongside Julia Roberts in the box office hit "Pretty Woman" (1990), portraying Kit De Luca, a sharp-tongued but loyal best friend, one of the film's most memorable supporting roles. Throughout the 1990s, she continued building a diverse filmography.

She appeared in "Quigley Down Under," "Under Suspicion," and "Suicide Kings," as well as television movies such as "The Right to Remain Silent" and "Sister Mary Explains It All." She also took part in the TV miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's "The Stand."

Throughout the decade, her work spanned a range of genres and characters, from drama and comedy to crime thrillers. Her adaptability extended into voice acting, with credits in animated shows like "Gargoyles," "Batman Beyond," and "The Secret Files of the SpyDogs."

Whether on screen or behind the microphone, she brought an unmistakable presence to each role, steadily growing her reputation in the industry.

When Motherhood Redefined Her Life

In 1996, she gave birth to her only child, a son named Mason. Not long after, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition caused by brain damage or abnormal brain development during pregnancy, childbirth, or early infancy. For her, the diagnosis reshaped not only her personal life but also her professional direction.

Cerebral palsy, often referred to as CP, affects posture, muscle tone, and movement. It is classified as a movement disorder and can range widely in severity. Some people with CP may also experience related symptoms, such as speech or visual impairments, though it does not automatically cause an intellectual disability.

In Mason's case, the condition significantly impacted his physical independence. He does not walk or sit unassisted and uses a talking computer to communicate. His mother later revealed that his needs became her priority from the very beginning. "I started becoming an advocate for him when he was three years old," she explained.

Cerebral palsy isn't a common condition. Each year, between 5,500 and 13,100 children in the United States are born with CP. By 2019, more than 1,000,000 American adults were living with the condition, a number that continues to rise as care improves and life expectancy increases.

Symptoms can vary widely but often include developmental delays, irritability, reduced interaction, and difficulty with muscle control. Some children may exhibit hypotonia, which gives muscles a floppy appearance, while others may develop spasticity or dystonia as they grow.

Some cases involve unusual head size, either smaller (microcephaly) or larger (macrocephaly) than typical. Because symptoms differ from child to child, treatment requires a tailored, team-based approach. Specialists from multiple medical fields often work together to create a care plan suited to each child's unique challenges and strengths.

For the actress, the diagnosis was not a limitation but a turning point. She began rethinking everything from daily routines to long-term plans, and decided to make her professional life work around her son's needs, not the other way around.

A Sitcom Star and a Life-Changing Role Off-Screen

With Mason's requiring constant care and support, the "Pretty Woman" actress focused on creating a more predictable and grounded home life. That decision led her to accept a role on a weekly television series that would keep her close to home and offer financial and logistical consistency.

In 1997, she joined the cast of the NBC sitcom "Just Shoot Me!" as Maya Gallo, a sharp-witted journalist navigating office life at a fictional fashion magazine. The role would become her most sustained presence on television, lasting for seven seasons and 149 episodes.

Created by Steven Levitan, the series became a staple of NBC's primetime lineup. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination and brought her steady work during years when her focus remained centered on her son.

During this time, she was married to Mason's father, actor Cameron Dye, known for his role in "Valley Girl." The couple divorced in 1998. Her decision to prioritize consistent work over high-profile film roles reflected a shift in focus. As she continued building her career, she also focused on creating a support system for her son.

When Parenthood Becomes Purpose

As Mason prepared to enter the school system, his mother, Laura San Giacomo, began a new chapter, this time as an advocate. Healthcare professionals had advised her early on to explore inclusive education, a model where children with and without disabilities learn side by side.

She was introduced to the CHIME Institute, an inclusive public charter school affiliated with California State University, Northridge (CSUN). There, Mason would attend preschool and kindergarten in classrooms designed to include children of all developmental levels. San Giacomo soon became one of the school's most active supporters.

What began as a small program with just 70 students grew to serve over 700. During a chat with talk show host Oprah Winfrey, she explained that classrooms were intentionally designed to reflect the natural percentage of students with disabilities in the general population.

"Disability is natural. It has always been. It always will be," the actress asserted. "It's part of the world, and it shows up pretty consistently in a certain percentage of the population." At CHIME, children are not defined by their diagnoses. In a separate interview, she recalled how a visiting NPR journalist once asked students to describe a peer who used a wheelchair.

Instead of referring to his disability, the kids described his backpack, his shorts, and his favorite superheroes just as they would with any other friend. "Kids just automatically value each other," stated San Giacomo. "That's something that really adults need to learn."

Mason, who uses a talking computer and cannot walk or sit independently, thrived in the inclusive environment. San Giacomo credited CHIME with helping him build both academic skills and self-esteem. She also noted the benefits for neurotypical children, who learned empathy, communication, and leadership in a classroom that valued every child equally.

She wasn't alone in championing the model. Alongside other parents, many of whom also had children with disabilities, she helped expand the school's impact. In time, CHIME became a flagship program. When Arnold Schwarzenegger turned 60, his wife Maria Shriver gave him the school as a symbolic gift, recognizing its unique approach to education.

"Inclusion is the law here in Southern California," San Giacomo noted. "But not all educators are prepared for it. The truth is, it doesn't take away from anybody else. The class doesn't slow down for my son — he speeds up." Her commitment didn't go unnoticed.

In 2000, she was honored at the Media Access Awards for a public service announcement (PSA) she filmed as part of NBC's "The More You Know" campaign. The PSA focused on disability inclusion, echoing her message that all children benefit when classrooms reflect the full range of human experience.

Still Working, But on Her Terms

While parenting and advocacy reshaped her priorities, she never left the screen behind. Over the years, San Giacomo continued taking roles that fit around her family life, appearing regularly in both drama series and films. From 2007 to 2010, she co-starred as forensic specialist Rhetta Rodriguez in the crime drama "Saving Grace," appearing in 46 episodes.

Later, she joined the long-running procedural "NCIS," portraying Dr. Grace Confalone, a psychologist who appeared across 13 episodes between 2016 and 2024. She also took on recurring roles in series like "Animal Kingdom," "Full Circle," "Barry," and "The Santa Clauses," where she appeared as La Befana in the 2022–2023 seasons.

Film work remained part of San Giacomo's portfolio as well. She appeared in "Honey Boy" (2019), "Violet" (2021), and the short film "Lina" (2022). At the time of this writing, she has two new projects in development: "Margo's Got Money Troubles" and "Vacuums and the Whistling Pig."

For those who remember her as Kit De Luca in "Pretty Woman," or as Maya Gallo on "Just Shoot Me!," her presence may seem quieter now. But it hasn't faded. Instead, San Giacomo has spent the last two decades working steadily while also dedicating herself to causes rooted deeply in her personal life.

Her choices, both on-screen and off, were shaped by one constant: being present for her son, Mason. "You are being called to the biggest plate of your life," she once said about parenting a child with a disability. "You are going to understand the meaning of parenthood more than you ever could. You are going to experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows."

Today, she continues to advocate for inclusive education and disability awareness, while still embracing her craft on camera. For San Giacomo, success was never about staying in the spotlight. It was and still is about showing up where she's needed most.