Laura Harring played the amnesiac, mysterious brunette from Mulholland Drive, captivating a generation of viewers in the David Lynch classic.
The actress and former Miss USA won millions of fans all over the world with her dual role as Rita/Camilla Rhodes in the 2001 psychological thriller, opposite Naomi Watts.
Harring is also known for her dynamic performances in films such as The Forbidden Dance (1990), John Q (2002), Willard (2003) and The Punisher (2004.)
On TV, the star played Carla Greco in General Hospital from 1990-1991 and Rebecca Doyle in The Shield in 2006.
Her final film role was in 2022’s Father of the Bride alongside Andy Garcia – with the star announcing her retirement from acting in January 2024.
See her now at 62…
Laura Harring played the amnesiac, mysterious brunette from Mulholland Drive, captivating a generation of viewers in the David Lynch classic – pictured R with Naomi Watts in the 2001 film
The actress and former Miss USA won millions of fans all over the world with her dual role as Rita / Camilla Rhodes in the 2001 psychological thriller opposite Naomi Watts in her breakout role – pictured 2005 – see her now
Mexican-American actress Harring was compared to screen legends Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner after her sultry turn in Mulholland Drive – which has been lauded as one of the best films of the 21st century.
Mulholland Drive premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, receiving a large number of awards and nominations and was highly acclaimed by critics.
The film also secured then budding star Watts the Best Actress Award from the National Society of Film Critics and a nomination for Best Actress from the American Film Institute.
A particularly steamy scene in the classic movie saw a sex sequence between Harring and Watts’ characters.
Harring previously told Dazed of the shoot, ‘The love scene wasn’t easy. Naomi was wonderful and we were comfortable with each other. But it was the vulnerability of being undressed. I wasn’t coming out of my dressing room. I was so worried.’
Lynch promised the bedroom would be dark, with Harring saying, ‘He showed me how it would be lit, and I really relaxed. And then on the last take, he said, “Pump it up, Pete!” referring to the light. Still, David kept his word. When I enter and disrobe, it’s still in silhouette, which is what he promised.
Harring was born in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico and lived the first ten years of her life in Guasave Sinaloa Mexico, before her family relocated to San Antonio, Texas.
She nearly died when she was shot in the head during a drive-by shooting at age 12.
Mulholland Drive premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival , receiving a large number of awards and nominations and was highly acclaimed by critics – Watts and Harring pictured with director David Lynch at Cannes in 2001
A particularly steamy scene in the classic movie saw a sex sequence between Harring and Watts’ characters. Harring previously told Dazed of the shoot, ‘The love scene wasn’t easy… It was the vulnerability of being undressed. I wasn’t coming out of my dressing room. I was so worried’
Harring is seen kissing Melissa George in another steamy scene from the film
Harring also starred in 2007 film, Love in the Time of Cholera
Harring is seen in 2009 in Drool
Aged 16, she began studying in Switzerland at Aiglon College – before taking up theater lessons at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art,
Harring returned to the US and began entering beauty pageants, winning Miss El Paso USA, Miss Texas USA, then Miss USA 1985. The latter saw her become the first Hispanic woman to take the title.
Her acting debut came in 1987’s The Alamo: 13 Days to Glory, a role she landed after producers saw her on the Miss USA broadcast.
That same year, Harring married Count Carl-Eduard von Bismarck-Schönhausen, great-great-grandson of Otto von Bismarck. They divorced in 1989.
In 1990, she took on the lead role in The Forbidden Dance and landed a role in General Hospital, as Carla Greco.
For her role in Mulholland Drive, Harring won the American Latino Media Arts (ALMA) Award for Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film.
Harring is seen in 2003 horror Willard with Crispin Glover
Harring looks as glamorous as ever on social media after quitting acting in early 2024
The star boasts nearly 40,000 followers and regularly posts sultry clips and inspirational messages
The star looked stunning as she relaxed by a pool recently
She would later reunite with Lynch on series Rabbits and via a cameo appearance in 2006’s Inland Empire.
Harring starred with John Travolta in The Punisher and Gael Garcia Bernal in Love in the Time of Cholera.
Her television appearances also include Gossip Girl, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2003, Law & Order: Criminal Intent in 2010, and NCIS: Los Angeles in 2012 and 2016.
In January 2024, Harring announced her retirement from acting, writing on Instagram. ‘It’s been a wonderful life and career! I appreciate every single crew member, actor and director and producer of every single film and television show… there’s a place in my heart for you always!! Always
‘I love you #retired but not dead and so much life left to live.’
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