kids encyclopedia robot

Marla Sokoloff facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Marla Sokoloff
Marla Sokoloff (cropped).jpg
Sokoloff in a promotional photo
Born (1980-12-19) December 19, 1980 (age 44)
Occupation Actress
Years active 1993–present
Spouse(s)
Alec Puro
(m. 2009)
Children 3

Marla Sokoloff (pronounced SOCK-oloff) is an American actress. She was born on December 19, 1980. Marla is well-known for playing Gia Mahan in the TV shows Full House and Fuller House. She also played Cokie Mason in The Babysitters Club movie. Another famous role was Lucy Hatcher on the legal drama series The Practice.

Marla Sokoloff also appeared as Joey's sister Dina on the popular show Friends. Later, she played the nanny Claire on Desperate Housewives. She has been in several movies too. These include Whatever It Takes (2000) and Dude, Where's My Car? (2000).

Early Life and Education

Marla Sokoloff was born in San Francisco, California. Her parents are Cindi and Howard Sokoloff. Her family has Jewish roots from Russia and Germany.

Marla went to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. There, she studied both music and acting. This helped her prepare for her career in entertainment.

Acting Career Highlights

Marla Sokoloff started her acting career when she was 12 years old. This was in 1993.

Starting with Full House

Her first big role was Gia Mahan in the popular ABC sitcom Full House. She played a recurring character in the seventh and eighth seasons.

Other Early Roles

In 1995, Marla appeared in the movie The Babysitters Club. She played Marguerite “Cokie” Mason, who was often seen as the "bad girl" and rival to the babysitters.

In 1998, Sokoloff got the role of Lucy Hatcher. Lucy was a receptionist on the TV drama series The Practice. This role made her even more recognized.

Guest Appearances in Popular Shows

Marla is also remembered for her guest roles on other famous TV shows. She played Joey's pregnant sister, Dina, in season 8 of Friends. She also had a three-episode part as the nanny Claire on Desperate Housewives.

Film Roles in the 2000s

In 2000, she played Maggie Carter in the teen romance movie Whatever It Takes. She also appeared in the comedy Dude, Where's My Car? that same year. Other films include Sugar & Spice (2001) and Love on the Side (2006).

In 2008, Marla starred in the romantic comedy Play the Game. She also lent her voice to the character Kiina in the animated movie Bionicle: The Legend Reborn.

Returning to Fuller House

Marla Sokoloff returned to her role as Gia Mahan in Full House's sequel series, Fuller House. She appeared in 11 episodes, starting with the second season. Her character, Gia, became Gia Mahan-Harmon in the later seasons.

Personal Life

Marla Sokoloff married Alec Puro, a drummer for the band Deadsy, in 2009. They have three daughters together.

Film Appearances

Year Title Role Notes
1993 So I Married an Axe Murderer Alcatraz Visitor
1995 Freaky Friday Rachel French TV movie
Baby-Sitters Club, TheThe Baby-Sitters Club Marguerite "Cokie" Mason
1996 True Crime Vicki Giordano Video
1997 Date, TheThe Date Stacey Short film
1999 Climb, TheThe Climb Leslie Himes
2000 Whatever It Takes Maggie Carter
Dude, Where's My Car? Wilma
2001 Sugar & Spice Lisa Janusch
Prairie Dogs Starlett Short film
2003 Date with Darkness: The Trial and Capture of Andrew Luster, AA Date with Darkness: The Trial and Capture of Andrew Luster Connie TV movie
2004 Freshman Orientation Marjorie
Love on the Side Eve Stuckley
Tollbooth, TheThe Tollbooth Sarabeth Cohen
2005 Drive, TheThe Drive Rachel Short film
Crazylove Ruth Mayer
Christmas in Boston Gina TV movie
2009 Play the Game Julie Larabee
Bionicle: The Legend Reborn Kiina (voice) Video
The Flower Girl Laurel Haverford TV movie
2010 Gift of the Magi Della Young TV movie
2011 Scents and Sensibility Marianne Dashwood
Chateau Meroux, TheThe Chateau Meroux Wendy
2012 A Christmas Wedding Date Rebecca TV movie
2016 Do You Take This Man Zoe
Summer in the City Mindy TV movie
2017 Happening of Monumental Proportions, AA Happening of Monumental Proportions Mindy
2018 Preschool in L.A. Miss Allison Short film
2019 The Road Home for Christmas Lindsey TV movie
2020 Home, But Not Alone Mom Short film
2023 Sweet on You Kate's Mom TV movie
2024 The Merry Gentlemen Marie Netflix

Television Roles

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Boy Meets World Paige Episode: "Cory's Alternative Friends"
The Second Half Courtney Episode: "It's My Party"
1993–95 Full House Gia Mahan Recurring Cast: Season 7–8
1994 Step by Step Marissa Episode: "Thirteen with a Bullet"
1995 Home Improvement Paige Episode: "Let Them Eat Cake"
1995–96 Party of Five Jody Lynch Recurring Cast: Season 2, Guest: Season 3
1996 3rd Rock from the Sun Dina Episode: "Post-Nasal Dick"
1997 Over the Top Gwen Martin Main Cast
1998 7th Heaven Jen Episode: "Nothing Endures But Change"
1998–04 Practice, TheThe Practice Lucy Hatcher Main Cast: Season 3–7, Recurring Cast: Season 8
2001 Night Visions Julia Episode: "My So-Called Life and Death"
Strange Frequency Darcy King Episode: "More Than a Feeling"
Friends Dina Tribbiani Episode: "The One with Monica's Boots"
2004–05 Desperate Housewives Claire Recurring Cast: Season 1
2006 Modern Men Molly Clark Recurring Cast
2006–07 Big Day Alice Hopkins Main Cast
2009 Burn Notice Melanie Episode: "Seek and Destroy"
Meteor Imogene O'Neil Episode: "Part 1 & 2"
Maneater Jennifer Ellenback Episode: "Part 1 & 2"
Drop Dead Diva Mia Reynolds Episode: "Crazy"
2011 CSI: NY Abigail West Episode: "Party Down"
2013 Melissa & Joey Dr. Chelsea Mullins Episode: "Can't Hardly Wait"
2014 Mind Games Jane Episode: "Texts, Lies and Audiotapes"
Fosters, TheThe Fosters Dani Kirkland Recurring Cast: Season 1–2
2015 Grey's Anatomy Glenda Castillo Recurring Cast: Season 11
Hot in Cleveland Chloe Episode: "Kitchen Nightmare"
2016–20 Fuller House Gia Mahan-Harmon Guest: Season 2, Recurring Cast: Season 3–5
2018 Hollywood Darlings Marla Episode: "Y2K"

Music Videos

Year Artist Song Role
2001 Everclear "Brown Eyed Girl" Brown Eyed Girl
2013 Cindy Alexander "Wonderful" Girlfriend

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Marla Sokoloff para niños

kids search engine
Marla Sokoloff Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.