Vinessa Shaw Biography: Husband, Age, Kids, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Movies & TV Shows

Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw, professionally known as Vinessa Shaw, is an American actress and model recognized for her work across multiple film genres.

She gained early mainstream attention for her role as Allison Watts in the 1993 Disney film Hocus Pocus. Over the years, she has continued her career with roles in psychological thrillers, dramas, and horror films, building a reputation as a versatile Hollywood actress.

Vinessa Shaw
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw
Stage Name:	Vinessa Shaw
Born:	July 19, 1976 (age 49 years old)
Place of Birth:	Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality:	American
Height:	1.73m
Parents:	Larry Shaw and Susan Damante
Siblings:	Natalie Shaw
Spouse:	Kristopher Gifford (m. 2017)
Relationship:	Married
Children:	Jack Gifford
Occupation:	Actress and Model
Net Worth:	$1 million

Early Life and Education

Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw was born on July 19, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, United States. She was raised in a creative household by her parents, Larry Shaw and Susan Damante, who both worked in the entertainment and media space.

She grew up with her sister, Natalie Shaw, who is also an actress.

She attended school in Southern California and performed with a children’s folk group before studying literature at Barnard College in New York City, later leaving to focus on acting full-time. She is of mixed ethnic background and practices Nichiren Buddhism.

Career

Vinessa Shaw began her career in the entertainment industry as a child model and commercial actress when she signed with the prestigious Elite Models agency in 1989.

She made her formal feature film debut in 1992 when she co-starred in the sports comedy Ladybugs, which quickly led to her securing her definitive breakthrough role as Allison Watts in the 1993 Disney dark fantasy comedy Hocus Pocus alongside Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Her performance in the film earned her significant national recognition among youthful demographics and established her as a prominent young actress to watch in Hollywood.

She experienced monumental career growth during the late 1990s and 2000s as she successfully pivoted from teenage roles into intense, auteur-driven dramatic cinema.

She achieved a major artistic milestone in 1999 when legendary director Stanley Kubrick cast her as Domino in the psychological drama Eyes Wide Shut, a high-profile performance that significantly elevated her industry standing and led to prominent roles in the romantic comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights and Wes Craven‘s intense horror reimagining The Hills Have Eyes.

Her momentum continued to build as she secured critical praise for her work in the western remake 3:10 to Yuma and the romantic drama Two Lovers, where she delivered a nuanced performance alongside Joaquin Phoenix.

She has successfully sustained her influence within the independent film and television sectors by diversifying her acting portfolio and taking on darker, psychologically complex characters.

She landed a major recurring television role as Frances Simpson in the acclaimed Showtime drama series Ray Donovan, while concurrently starring in independent thriller features such as Cold in July and the psychological horror film Clinical.

Her enduring standing in the industry is reflected in her recent leadership roles in contemporary independent features like The Blazing World, We Need to Do Something, and The Wilderness, ensuring her ongoing relevance across both premium streaming networks and independent cinema circles.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @vinessashawofficial
• Facebook Handle: @VinessaShawOfficial
• Twitter Handle: @VinessaShaw

Personal Life

Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw was born on July 19, 1976, and is currently 49 years old.

She is currently married to her husband, American graphic designer and artist Kristopher Gifford, whom she wed during an elegant private ceremony in 2017 after the couple had maintained a highly publicized long-term partnership that began with their initial engagement in 2008.

The marriage has produced one child, a son named Jack Gifford, who was born in February 2018 following a highly documented delivery that she openly shared with her followers on digital media platforms.

Filmography

• Home Sweet Home (1981)
• Ladybugs (1992)
• Hocus Pocus (1993)
• Coyote Summer (1996)
• L.A. Without a Map (1998)
• Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
• Wayward Son (1999)
• The Weight of Water (2000)
• Corky Romano (2001)
• 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002)
• Melinda and Melinda (2004)
• Bereft (2004)
• The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
• 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
• Badland (2007)
• Two Lovers (2008)
• Garden Party (2008)
• Stag Night (2008)
• Leave (2010)
• Puncture (2011)
• Big Miracle (2012)
• Come Out and Play (2012)
• Side Effects (2013)
• Siren (2013)
• Dark Around the Stars (2013)
• Electric Slide (2014)
• Cold in July (2014)
• After the Fall (2014)
• Bereave (2015)
• Clinical (2017)
• Family Blood (2018)
• The Blazing World (2021)
• 12 Mighty Orphans (2021)
• We Need to Do Something (2021)
• The Wilderness (2025)
• PH-1 (2026)

Television

• Long Road Home (1991)
• The Torkelsons (1992)
• McKenna (1994)
• Fallen Angels (1995)
• New York Undercover (1997)
• World of Trouble (2005)
• Fathers and Sons (2005)
• House (2010)
• CSI: NY (2012)
• Vegas (2012–2013)
• Those Who Kill (2014)
• Ray Donovan (2014)

Net Worth

Vinessa Shaw has an estimated net worth of $1 million. Her wealth mainly comes from her long-running career as a film and television actress, including earnings from Hollywood productions and residuals from her earlier films.

She also earns from modeling royalties, brand partnerships, and paid appearances at pop culture and horror conventions.