Gina Joy Carano (born April 16, 1982) is an American actress and former mixed martial artist. She competed in EliteXC and Strikeforce from 2006 to 2009, where she compiled a 7–1 record. Her popularity led to her being called the "face of women's MMA", although Carano rejected this title. She and Cris Cyborg were the first women to headline a major MMA event during their 2009 Strikeforce bout. Carano retired from competition after her first professional MMA defeat to Cyborg.
Carano began her acting career in 2006 with a small role in the film Ring Girls. She went on to star in a number of action films, including Blood and Bone (2009), Haywire (2011), and Fast & Furious 6 (2013).
In 2019, Carano was cast as Cara Dune in the Star Wars Disney+ series The Mandalorian. The role was a breakout for Carano, and she quickly became a fan favorite.
However, in 2021, Carano was fired from The Mandalorian after she made a number of controversial social media posts. The posts were widely condemned as being anti-Semitic and transphobic.
Carano has since spoken out against "cancel culture" and has said that she is not afraid to express her views. She has also said that she is working on a number of new projects.
Carano is a polarizing figure, but she is also a talented actress and athlete. Her career has been marked by both success and controversy.