Gina Gershon
A smoky-voiced scene-stealer who carved a niche playing dangerous, seductive, and fiercely independent women on the edge.
Born 1962 (age 64)·American actress and singer·Birthday: June 10·Baby Boomers
Biography
Gina Gershon possesses a brand of charisma that is entirely her own—a blend of street-smart wit, smoky allure, and a glint of mischief. She emerged from the 80s in supporting parts but truly claimed her territory in the mid-90s with a one-two punch of cult phenomenon. First, she was Cristal Connors in Paul Verhoeven's gloriously excessive 'Showgirls,' delivering a performance of weathered savvy that transcended the film's camp. Then, she and Jennifer Tilly became cinema's most electric queer couple in the Wachowskis' neo-noir 'Bound,' a role that cemented Gershon's status as an icon of cool. She never settled into a single type, moving from Nicolas Cage's villainous sister in 'Face/Off' to a tough-talking bartender on 'Rescue Me.' Her voice, as distinctive as her look, has fueled a parallel career in voice acting and even a jazz album. Gershon operates with a fearless commitment to her characters, whether in indie darlings like 'Killer Joe' or on teen TV in 'Riverdale,' bringing an undeniable authenticity and a spark of danger to every part.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Gina was born in 1962, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Gina Was Born
The biggest hits of 1962
#1 Movie
Lawrence of Arabia
Best Picture
Lawrence of Arabia
#1 TV Show
Beverly Hillbillies
Gina's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1962Born
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1967Started school
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1975Became a teenager
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1978Could drive
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1980Could vote
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1983Turned 21
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1992Turned 30
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2002Turned 40
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 50
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 60
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 64 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Achieved cult status for her role as Cristal Connors in the controversial film 'Showgirls.'
- Starred as Corky in the groundbreaking lesbian neo-noir 'Bound,' a landmark in queer cinema.
- Released a jazz and pop vocal album titled 'In Search of Cleo.'
- Portrayed Gladys Jones, Jughead's mother, on the popular CW series 'Riverdale.'
Did You Know?
She is a skilled accordion player and performed on the instrument in the film 'Prey for Rock & Roll.'
Gershon is a licensed private pilot.
She provided the voice for the character 'Gloria' in the 'Robot Chicken' Star Wars specials.
She studied at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts alongside fellow actor Wesley Snipes.
“I've always been drawn to characters who are a little off-center.”
