Cara Buono is an American actress, screenwriter and director whose work spans film, television and stage. Born on March 1, 1974, in the Bronx, New York City, she has built a reputation for playing nuanced supporting and recurring characters in high-profile dramatic series and independent films.
Career highlights
Buono emerged in screen roles in the 1990s and gradually became best known for several television parts that brought her wider recognition. She played the psychologist Dr. Faye Miller on the AMC series AMC Mad Men (2010), a recurring guest role that drew attention for its subtle, emotionally complex performance. Earlier she portrayed Kelli Moltisanti in the HBO drama HBO The Sopranos (2006–2007). More recently she joined the cast of the Netflix series Netflix Stranger Things (2016–present) as Karen Wheeler, a role that exposed her work to a broad international audience.
Notable roles and range
- Dr. Faye Miller — Mad Men: intelligent, reserved and professionally minded, a character that highlighted Buono’s aptitude for understated drama.
- Kelli Moltisanti — The Sopranos: a recurring part that placed her within one of television’s most discussed ensemble dramas.
- Karen Wheeler — Stranger Things: a supporting role in a popular genre series that blended domestic realism with science-fiction elements.
Beyond these parts, Buono has worked in independent features and theatre productions, and has credits as a writer and director. Her screen presence is often described as controlled and naturalistic, allowing secondary characters to feel vital and three-dimensional without commanding the entire scene.
Background and development
Raised in New York, Buono developed her career through a combination of stage work and on-screen auditions. Like many character actors, she has balanced television guest spots with film roles and occasional behind-the-camera projects, expanding into writing and directing as her career progressed. This varied background has helped her adapt to different genres and production scales.
In her personal life she is married to Peter Thum, and they have a daughter. While Buono is often associated with particular television series, her steady body of work and move into creative roles off-camera illustrate a professional trajectory that values versatility and sustained craft.
For over two decades Buono has remained a reliable presence in American drama, notable for thoughtful supporting work that complements larger ensemble casts and helps define the tone of the projects she joins.