Laura Harrington carved out a remarkable career as an actress, primarily making her mark in the world of film. Early on, she appeared in a variety of movies that helped establish her presence in the industry. Among her early roles were performances in The Dark End of the Street (1981), The City Girl (1984), and the comedic Joy of Sex (1984), the latter of which was directed by Cameron Dye.
In the mid-1980s, Harrington took part in some uniquely imaginative projects. She was featured in the cult classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the 8th Dimension (1984), starring alongside Peter Weller, and later appeared in Maximum Overdrive (1986). Around this time, she also expanded her work to include television, with a role in the TV movie L.A. Takedown (NBC, 1988–89). Additionally, she starred in the Showtime special The Dancing Princess (1987–88), showcasing her versatility across different formats.
Her film career continued steadily through the late 1980s, including a part in Gangland (1988) opposite Scott Glenn. As the years went on, Laura Harrington remained active in both film and television. She appeared in the dramatic thriller The Devil’s Advocate (1997), starring Keanu Reeves, and the lighthearted fantasy Paulie (1998), which featured Gena Rowlands. She also took part in the CBS TV movie The Secret (1991–92), further demonstrating her range across genres.
In more recent years, Harrington shifted her focus toward writing. One of her most notable contributions came in 2015 when she penned the fantasy film The Moon and the Sun, which starred Pierce Brosnan in a leading role. This marked a new chapter in her creative journey, allowing her to leave a lasting imprint behind the scenes as well.
Laura Harrington is perhaps best known for her work on the highly acclaimed film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), which remains her most praised and popular project to date. On the other end of the spectrum, she was also involved in Maximum Overdrive (1986), a film that received considerably less favorable reviews. While her career has spanned a variety of roles and genres, these two films stand out as the highlights—both the peak and the low point—in terms of critical reception. Over the years, fans and critics alike have continued to reference these works when discussing Laura Harrington’s contributions to cinema.