A young teen trying to survive Shelley Long’s flamboyant, adventurous Phyllis Nefler in the hit comedy Troop Beverly Hills, joining Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids franchise in a mother’s role at just 27 years old to the being the mother who will do anything to save her daughter alongside Dwayne Johnson in San Andreas, along with a solid line up of cult classics, Sin City to Sucker Punch and Watchmen—Carla Gugino has graced over a hundred films, television series, and the theater stage.

The wide array of roles we’ve seen the incredibly talented Gugino step into are just the beginning of our long admiration for her as an actress. There’s a grounded gracefulness to Gugino while on the set for Composure’s cover shoot, and through each look, her inner beauty radiates. When speaking of her latest movie, Gunpowder Milkshake,we can sense a sharp intellect that makes one realize this is a crucial part of what carried her through such a wonderfully successful career that spans over three decades.

Going more into the work of Gugino, we asked what attracts her to specific roles: “I inevitably feel attracted to whatever is the opposite of what I’ve just done! At first, I confused people doing Tennessee Williams on stage, playing the Mom in Spy Kids, when I was too young for the part, and following that up playing the lesbian parole officer in Sin City, etc.,” she shares with us. “One of the perks of having acted most of my life and wanting to keep surprising and pushing myself is that now it is being recognized as a body of work. I’ve always been interested in being a shapeshifter.”

When Carla Gugino walks into a room, it takes all of 10 seconds to understand why she is successful.

There’s the long-standing career, the seamless transition from teenage star to Hollywood staple, the somewhat still-private life she’s managed to maintain, and the slam-dunk: the fact that she is noticeably personable and kind.

“I’m so sorry I’m late!” the 49-year-old, who is currently getting buzz for her role in Netflix’s Gunpowder Milkshake female-fueled action movie, says, as she’s approximately all of under 10 seconds late and simultaneously offering to order—and pay for—some iced coffee and treats for everyone on set.

Dressed in a cream peasant top, jean shorts, stacked necklaces, with hair pulled back and sans makeup, Gugino could easily pass for a 20-something walking down the unrelenting New York streets on this blistering hot and humid summer day (like a true pro and Florida native, she says the 92-degree temperature doesn’t bother her, but does offer to go as close to the air-conditioning as possible post-makeup in fear being outside might ruin the glam squad’s work)—but that’s not who she wants to be.

“The thing that comes to mind with this birthday is that I am halfway through my time on this planet, if I have a long life,” she shares with me later, on the eve of her 50th birthday. “That is a surreal thing to acknowledge—it’s also incredibly freeing.”

Actor, activist, stuntwoman, and iconic “Spy Kids” mom, Carla Gugino (“Gunpowder Milkshake,” “Entourage,” “Spy Kids”), takes the InStyle Badass Questionnaire, where she reveals her favorite curse word, dives into her love of essential oils, and opens up about how it felt to live in a real haunted house while shooting “The Haunting of Hill House.” Plus, she tells us what it’s like to do all her own stunts, including her biggest stunt of all: convincing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to eat an entire box of cookies in one sitting.

Screencaptures of Carla from Gunpowder Milkshake have been added to the image gallery. Please note that these do contain spoilers! So view at your own risk.

Gallery Link:

• Film Productions > 2020: Gunpowder Milkshake > Screencaptures

Week has been busy for Carla Gugino and we’re here to enjoy it all. She started an intense and good promotion for Gunpowder Milkshake and we personally could sit here and listen to her talking for days and never be tired.

Video Links:
– Gunpowder Milkshake Interview: Carla Gugino with Scott D. Menzel
– The “Gunpowder Milkshake” Cast Plays Who’s Who – BuzzFeed Celeb
– Carla Gugino Talks “Gunpowder Milkshake” – Live with Kelly and Ryan
– Angela Bassett and Carla Gugino on Gunpowder Milkshake and Black Panther 2 – Collider

The gallery now holds captures of Carla from the 2005 movie “The Life Coach” to the image gallery. These are not the best quality, but we do hope that you enjoy them none the less!

Gallery Link:

• Film Productions > 2005: The Life Coach > Captures