The child actors of the Netflix hit series Stranger Things might be getting the majority of the shine, but the adult actors and actresses of the show are getting a significant boost in their careers also. One of those actresses is 43 year old Cara Buono, who plays Karen Wheeler on the show. While researching the backgrounds of the child actors that have emerged to stardom due to the success of Stranger Things, I stumbled upon a lot of interesting facts about Cara Buono. I can almost guarantee that you don’t know these things about this veteran TV and movie actress.
Let’s start here.
1. She’s more than just an actress…
Beginning her acting career with stage work on and off Broadway she landed her first major role alongside Ethan Hawke in the 1992 British mystery drama “Waterland.” She followed that up with appearances in several indie films but decided to show her range of capabilities by writing, producing, and directing several short films, including a screenplay which she sold to Miramax.
2. Her husband is a successful businessman and philanthropist
You might not have ever heard the name Peter Thum before, but his business acumen is nothing to take lightly. The husband of Cara Buono sold his company Ethos Water to Starbucks in 2005. From there he launched several non-profits and began spearheading causes like providing water to school children in Kenya and destroying assault rifles in Africa. So far his foundation Fonderie 47 has destroyed over 5,000 assault rifles in Africa conflict regions.
3. Cara is just as smart as she is hard working.
Graduating college with a degree in English and Political Science is impressive. What’s even more impressive is doing it in only three years, which is exactly what Cara did.
4. She’s an accomplished TV and Movie actress.
Cara has appeared and starred in several feature films and hit television shows including:
- Hulk
- Let Me In
- Law & Order
- NCIS
- Mad Men
Up until her casting in Stranger things her most notable recurring role was as Kelli Moltisanti in the HBO crime drama “The Sopranos.”
5. When she landed the role of Kelli Moltisanti on ”The Sopranos,” she was going through a down time in her life
In a 2007 interview with the New York Times Cara said of her Sopranos casting: ”It was not a good time in my life, I had a long-term relationship end. I was coming home from the audition on the train, and a bunch of kids came by and stepped on these ketchup packets on the platform, and they squirted all over me. I said, ‘Something’s got to give.’ ” Looking at how her career has progressed since then I think it’s safe to say that “something did give.”
Conclusion
With Stranger Things second season set for release on Halloween 2017, Cara definitely has some work lined up. Will her character’s role expand in this season? Only time will tell, we are all eagerly awaiting season two. Judging by Cara Buono’s movie and TV career which spans over 25 years, I doubt this is the last we’ve seen of her regardless of what turn her character takes on Stranger Things.
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