View text source at Wikipedia

Vinessa Shaw

Vinessa Shaw
Shaw at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023
Born
Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw

(1976-07-19) July 19, 1976 (age 48)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Years active1981–present
Spouse
Kristopher Gifford
​
(m. 2017)​
Children1
Parents

Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw (born July 19, 1976)[1][2] is an American film actress and model. She began her career as a child actress, making her feature film debut in the slasher film Home Sweet Home (1981). She had her breakout role in Disney's Halloween comedy-fantasy film Hocus Pocus (1993). Shaw also appeared in Ladybugs (1992) and L.A. Without a Map (1998).

While attending Barnard College, Shaw was cast in a supporting role in Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut (1999), after which she decided to continue acting into her adulthood. Subsequent roles include in Kathryn Bigelow's period drama The Weight of Water (2000); the comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002), the 2006 remake of Wes Craven's horror film The Hills Have Eyes, the western 3:10 to Yuma (2007), and the romantic drama Two Lovers (2008).

In 2014, Shaw was a supporting cast member in the Showtime drama Ray Donovan. During this period, she also appeared in several feature films, including Steven Soderbergh's psychological thriller Side Effects (2013), and the crime drama Cold in July (2014). Shaw later starred as Dr. Jane Mathis in the 2017 horror thriller Clinical. In 2021, Shaw starred in the horror film We Need to Do Something, as well as the biographical sports drama 12 Mighty Orphans.

Life and career

[edit]

1976–1997: Early life and career

[edit]

Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw was born in Los Angeles, California, to Larry Shaw and actress Susan Damante.[3] Shaw's father, a native of Los Angeles, is a psychologist and former adjunct professor of psychology at Antioch University.[4] Her name, Vinessa, spelled with an "i" rather than the common "a", was a variation of her grandfather's name, Vincent.[5] She is of mixed Russian-Jewish, Italian, Irish, German, English, Mexican, Swedish, and Dutch ancestry.[5] Her family's original surname was "Schwartz," owing to her father's partial Jewish heritage.[6][7] Shaw was raised in her parents' Nichiren Buddhist faith.[8]

Shaw made her first formal performance in a UCLA acting camp short at age 10, and subsequently toured with children's folk singer Peter Alsop at age 11. She also signed on with the Elite Models agency in 1989 at the age of 13 before beginning her acting career.[3]

Shaw had made her feature film debut in the independent 1981 slasher film Home Sweet Home, which dealt with a serial killer targeting a family at Thanksgiving.[9] She then landed parts in a handful of television roles, including the 1991 NBC television film Long Road Home, which marked her television debut.[3] The following year, she had a supporting role in the family sports comedy Ladybugs, opposite Jonathan Brandis.[10] Though not a box-office success, Ladybugs gained an audience through regular subsequent television broadcast, and helped establish a fan following for Shaw.[3]

Shaw played a considerably larger role in the Disney Halloween-themed family film Hocus Pocus (1993) alongside Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, and Thora Birch.[11] In the film, Shaw portrays a local teenager in a Massachusetts town that is overtaken by a trio of witches on Halloween night.[12] Though a box-office bomb at the time of its release, the film went on to garner a significant fanbase in the ensuing years.[12]

1998–2005: Career expansion

[edit]

In 1998, Shaw appeared in a lead role as an aspiring young actress in the comedy-drama film L.A. Without a Map, opposite David Tennant, Julie Delpy, and Vincent Gallo.[13] The same year, Shaw enrolled at Barnard College in New York City, but ultimately dropped out to continue pursuing an acting career.[14] Shaw was attending the college when she was approached by Stanley Kubrick for her role in Eyes Wide Shut (1999), playing a prostitute who is encountered by Tom Cruise's character and who discovers she has HIV.[15] In a 2008 interview, Shaw stated that Kubrick was "very influential" to her and that he "was the first person who encouraged her to continue acting".[16] At the time of being cast, she was in college and considering alternate career options.[15] Following her role in Eyes Wide Shut, Shaw played parts in a handful of films including Kathryn Bigelow's mystery-drama The Weight of Water (2000) with Sarah Polley and Sean Penn, in which Shaw portrayed a Norwegian immigrant who is the victim of an axe murder; the film and its source novel are both partly based on a real double-murder that occurred on Smuttynose Island in 1873.[17]

Shaw next starred opposite Chris Kattan in the slapstick mafia comedy Corky Romano (2001), portraying an FBI agent,[18] followed by the romantic comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002), in which she played the feisty ex-girlfriend of a young man (Josh Hartnett) who attempts to give up sex for lent.[19] She also had a minor supporting role in Woody Allen's Melinda and Melinda (2004).[20]

2006–present: Further film and television roles

[edit]

More low budget and independent films consumed Shaw's time until 2006, where she returned to the big screen in Alexandre Aja's remake of Wes Craven's exploitation-horror film The Hills Have Eyes, playing a young mother on a camping trip with her family who is attacked by bloodthirsty mutants in the New Mexico desert. Director Aja had wanted to cast her in the film after seeing her performance in Eyes Wide Shut. Asked why she wanted to act in a horror film, Shaw responded "Well, I guess I could be good in it since I'm so frightened of those kinds of concepts. But this one in particular really attracted me because of the filmmakers. I really thought that they had a great stance on it. Like it's very different, very heartfelt, and heartbreaking because of the characters involved. So that's kind of what made the difference. It was more of an actor's piece, if you can believe that, in a horror movie."[21]

Shaw had a supporting role as a barmaid in James Mangold's remake of the classic Western film 3:10 to Yuma (2007), co-starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.[22] Next, she appeared in two independent films: The drama Garden Party, about a group of troubled Los Angeles teenagers,[23] and the horror film Stag Night, portraying a stripper who becomes trapped with several others in an abandoned New York City Subway platform after witnessing a murder.[24]

She subsequently had a lead role in the romantic drama Two Lovers (2008) opposite Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow. Two Lovers premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008 and was released theatrically in February 2009.[25]

In 2013, she had a supporting role opposite Jude Law in Steven Soderbergh's psychological thriller Side Effects.[15] She next appeared in the Eddie Dodson biopic Electric Slide (2014), followed by the crime thriller Cold in July (also 2014), a film adaption of the 1989 novel of the same name, opposite Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, and Don Johnson.[26] Shaw also had a multi-episode arc on the Showtime drama series Ray Donovan in its second season (2014).[27]

Shaw starred as a psychiatrist in the 2017 horror film Clinical, which was distributed via Netflix.[28] She follow this with a lead in another Netflix-released horror film, Family Blood (2018) which was produced by Blumhouse Productions.[29]

Shaw had a supporting role in the depression-era sports drama 12 Mighty Orphans (2021), based on American football coach Rusty Russell (portrayed by Luke Wilson).[30] The same year, she starred in the independent psychological horror film We Need to Do Something, which was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic and co-starred Sierra McCormick, Pat Healy, and Ozzy Osbourne.[31]

In 2023, Shaw returned to television, guest-starring in seven episodes of the Apple TV+ sports drama series Swagger.[32] In November 2024, she guest-starred on the series Cruel Intentions,[33] followed by a guest appearance as a medical examiner on the series Yellowstone.[34]

Personal life

[edit]

Shaw became a member of the Soka Gakkai International, a Nichiren Buddhist organization, during her first year attending college in 1996: "I was lonely and depressed, and I had so many questions about life. I called my dad every night crying, saying that I wanted to go home."[14] As a core practice of Nichiren Buddhism, Shaw chants daimoku daily,[35] and is also a facilitator of the SGI-USA lay Buddhist Association for Peace, Culture, and Education.[36]

In August 2017, Shaw announced that she was expecting her first child with her husband, Kristopher Gifford (whom she first dated in 2007, got engaged to in 2008 and married in 2017).[37] Shaw gave birth to their son, Jack, in February 2018.[38]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1981 Home Sweet Home Angel Bradley Alternative title: Slasher in the House [9]
1992 Ladybugs Kimberly Mullen [3]
1993 Hocus Pocus Allison Watts [12]
1996 Coyote Summer Callie Carpenter
1998 L.A. Without a Map Barbara [13]
1999 Eyes Wide Shut Domino [3]
1999 Wayward Son Cordelia [3]
2000 The Weight of Water Anethe Christenson [3]
2001 Corky Romano Agent Kate Russo [18]
2002 40 Days and 40 Nights Nicole [19]
2004 Melinda and Melinda Stacey [20]
2004 Bereft Molly
2006 The Hills Have Eyes Lynn Carter [39]
2007 3:10 to Yuma Emmy [22]
2007 Badland Nora Rice
2008 Two Lovers Sandra Cohen [25]
2008 Garden Party St. Claire [23]
2008 Stag Night Brita [24]
2010 Leave Amy
2011 Puncture Vicky
2012 Big Miracle Kelly Meyers
2012 Come Out and Play Beth
2013 Side Effects Dierdre Banks [15]
2013 Siren Leigh
2013 Dark Around the Stars Terry
2013 Electric Slide Mimi [15]
2014 Cold in July Ann Dane [26]
2014 After the Fall Susan Scanlon
2015 Bereave Penelope
2017 Clinical Dr. Jane Mathis [28]
2018 Family Blood Ellie [29]
2021 The Blazing World Alice Winter
2021 12 Mighty Orphans Juanita Russell [30]
2021 We Need to Do Something Diane [31]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Long Road Home Clara Tarpin Television film
1992 The Torkelsons Meredith Reed Episode: "Sweat Not by the Moon"
1992 Great Scott! Carolyn Cole
1993 Fallen Angels Jeannie Streeter Episode: "The Quiet Room"
1993 Country Estates Heather Calhoun Pilot
1994 McKenna Cassidy McKenna Episode: Pilot (only)
1994 Murder, She Wrote Gloria Bryce Episode: "Murder by Twos"
1995 New York Undercover Teen Covergirl Episode: "Young, Beautiful and Dead"
2000 The '70s Eileen Wells Miniseries
2004 Bereft Molly Television film
2005 Fathers and Sons Nell Pilot
2005 World of Trouble Unknown Pilot
2010 House Dr. Kelly Benedict Episode: "Massage Therapy"
2012 CSI: NY Jennifer Walsh Episode: "Clean Sweep"
2014 Ray Donovan Kate McPherson 10 episodes
2023 Swagger Diane 7 episodes
2024 Cruel Intentions Dr. Deidre 1 episode
2024 Yellowstone Dr. Everly 1 episode

Accolades

[edit]

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Young Artist Award

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Vinessa Shaw Biography". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  2. ^ Legge, Lisa (July 18, 2017). "Famous Birthdays: July 19". The St. Paul Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Vinessa Shaw Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on November 6, 2006.
  4. ^ Who's Who in California (19th ed.). Los Angeles, California: Who's Who Historical Society. 1990. p. 1988. ISBN 978-0-960-31668-7.
  5. ^ a b "Vinessa Shaw Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023.
  6. ^ Julian Roman (February 17, 2009). "EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Director James Gray and Vinessa Shaw Discuss Two Lovers!". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  7. ^ "Jewish identity has shades of Gray in Two Lovers". J. The Jewish News of Northern California. February 20, 2009. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023.
  8. ^ Roman, Julian (February 17, 2009). "EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Director James Gray and Vinessa Shaw Discuss Two Lovers!". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Baldwin, Daniel (November 23, 2017). "Slashy Thanksgiving! 'Home Sweet Home' Remembered". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024.
  10. ^ "Ladybugs (1992)". Encyclopedia.com. Cengage. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  11. ^ "'Hocus Pocus' Cast Reveals Memories From the Set, 20 Years Later". ABC News. October 29, 2015. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c Ortiz, Andi (June 21, 2023). "How 'Hocus Pocus' Went From Box Office Bomb to Disney's Halloween Darling". TheWrap. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "L.A. Without a Map". Irish Film Institute. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Shaw, Vinessa. "Buddhism— My Favorite Gosho". SGI. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e Weintraub, Steve (February 9, 2013). "Vinessa Shaw Talks SIDE EFFECTS, Stanley Kubrick's EYES WIDE SHUT, CBS' VEGAS, ELECTRIC SLIDE, and More". Collider. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015.
  16. ^ Anderson, Jeffrey M. "Combustible Celluloid interview: Vinessa Shaw". Combustible Celluloid. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017.
  17. ^ Levy, Emanuel (September 12, 2000). "The Weight of Water". Variety. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Ebert, Roger (October 12, 2001). "Corky Romano review". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024 – via RogerEbert.com.
  19. ^ a b Thomas, Kevin (March 1, 2002). "Living With Temptation for '40 Days and 40 Nights'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Bender, Abby (October 23, 2024). "Vinessa Shaw: What the 'Hocus Pocus' Teen Star Has Been Up To Lately". Yahoo! Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  21. ^ "Interview with Vinessa Shaw and Dan Byrd of The Hills Have Eyes". Radio Free. March 7, 2006. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012.
  22. ^ a b Zachary, Brandon (September 1, 2024). "3:10 To Yuma Cast & Character Guide". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Gonzalez, Ed (June 24, 2008). "Review: Garden Party". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Stag Night (2008) – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Thompson, Anne (May 19, 2008). "Cannes: Two Lovers Rocks the Palais". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Weintraub, Steven (January 25, 2014). "Michael C. Hall and Vinessa Shaw Talk COLD IN JULY, the Film's Multiple Tones, the Script, and More at Sundance 2014". Collider. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  27. ^ Radish, Christina (August 10, 2014). "Vinessa Shaw Talks RAY DONOVAN, Crafting Her Character, the Brutal Honesty of the Show, Kate's Relationship with Ray, and More". Collider. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Kennedy, Michael (July 1, 2017). "Clinical Trailer: Netflix's Next Original Horror Movie". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019.
  29. ^ a b Miska, Brad (March 6, 2018). "Is Blumhouse's 'Family Blood' a Vampire Movie?". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  30. ^ a b D'Nuka, Amanda (October 10, 2019). "'12 Mighty Orphans': Vinessa Shaw and Wayne Knight Join Depression Era Sports Biopic". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  31. ^ a b McCahill, Mike (October 19, 2021). "We Need to Do Something review – doom and gloom in the bathroom". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  32. ^ Bell, BreAnna (September 1, 2022). "'Swagger' Adds Vinessa Shaw to Season 2 Cast (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  33. ^ Lane, Carly (November 20, 2024). "'Cruel Intentions' Review: A Mostly Toothless Update of the Cult Classic". Collider. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  34. ^ Romano, Evan (November 25, 2024). "Vinessa Shaw Shows Up to Help Kayce Solve a Major Yellowstone Mystery". Men's Health. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
  35. ^ "Vinessa Shaw talks Two Lovers". Shared Darkness. February 6, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011.
  36. ^ "SGI-USA Members Resources". Soka Gakkai International. Archived from the original on July 15, 2009.
  37. ^ "Vinessa Shaw Loves and Hookups". Ranker. November 20, 2017.
  38. ^ Passalaqua, Holly; Cohen, Jess (March 2, 2018). "Hocus Pocus' Vinessa Shaw Gives Birth to Baby Boy". E!. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023.
  39. ^ Sun, Rebecca (June 14, 2019). "Vinessa Shaw Signs With Buchwald (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vinessa Shaw.