Born Mia Sarapocciello, Mia Sara is an American actress best known for her roles in the films Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Timecop.
Originally hailing from Brooklyn Heights, New York, Mia Sara was born on June 19, 1967. Her father is a photographer while her mother is a talented stylist. She attended St. Ann’s School for elementary and high school and holds a Private Pilot license. She first had her big break in acting when she was paired with Tom Cruise in the 1986 fantasy film Legend, in which she played Princess Lily.
Mia Sara soon made fame for herself when she co-starred with Matthew Broderick in the 1980s hit comedy film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. In the movie, Sara played Ferris’ girlfriend Sloane Peterson, who went along with him and toured downtown Chicago during school hours. In 1985, Sara appeared in ABC’s two-part television production Queenie, in which she played Queeny Kelly.
In 1994, Sara co-starred with Jean Claude Van Damme, Ron Silver, and Bruce McGill in the Peter Hyams science fiction thriller Timecop. In the movie, Sara played Melissa Walker, the wife of Time Enforcement Agent Max Walker (Jean Claude Van Damme). Her role in the film earned her Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress. The following year, she played Natasha Gradetsky in the made for television movie, Bullet to Beijing. The film chronicles the adventures of secret agent Harry Palmer, played by English actor Michael Caine.
In 2002, Sara portrayed Dr. Harleen Quinzel in WB’s short-lived action series Birds of Prey, replacing Sherilyn Fenn for the role.
Sara married Jason Connery (Sean Connery’s son) in March 1996, with whom she had one son named Dashiell Quinn Connery. The two eventually divorced in 2002. Sara is also known for dating award-winning director and producer, Brian Henson, who is Jim Henson’s son.