Cara Buono Reflects on Her Journey in ‘Stranger Things,’ Her Passion for Cold-Fusion Creams, and Her Character’s Growth
Cara Buono is set to return to one of her most cherished roles this fall, reprising her character Karen Wheeler in the final season of Netflix’s acclaimed series Stranger Things, which premieres on November 26. Buono has consistently captivated audiences with her warm demeanor and powerful performances.
Her influence in the industry stretches well beyond Hawkins, Indiana. Buono garnered an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Dr. Faye Miller in Mad Men and has made her mark in notable productions including The Sopranos, Person of Interest, The Girl From Plainville, and Supergirl. Her film credits encompass a diverse range of roles in films like Hulk, Let Me In, and All Saints, showcasing her impressive versatility as an actress.
Buono is also known for her commitment to advocacy. As a co-founder of Liberty United, she transforms illegal guns collected by law enforcement into handcrafted jewelry, with proceeds supporting initiatives that protect and educate children affected by gun violence.
Reflecting on her journey as she prepares for the series’ finale, Buono shared her insights about the production experience. “We wrapped last December… we filmed the whole year. On one hand, it seems kind of long to do something, but I was very happy to have the extended time to go through all of the emotions. While you would have these 18-hour days, you knew that it was going to be the last of certain locations. Certain characters were wrapped out at certain times,” she said. “It was good to be among other people who had the same emotions about it, who could really understand. I’d sometimes just show up and just start crying, and it was O.K. Everyone understood.”
Buono also reflected on the evolution of her character’s appearance throughout the series. “Yes! I love the fact that it was in the ’80s when I first got the role. Gosh, it was 2015. To be frank, there wasn’t a lot of Karen in the beginning. I thought, how can I show up in a way that would reveal her when we did see her, and to me, expressing her through hair and makeup,” she said. She noted how the character’s style reflected the trends of the time while also evolving across the seasons.
The actress has maintained a passion for skincare from a young age, attributing her interest to her mother’s influence. “Oh, my gosh. I’ve been into skin care since I was 14. This was a time when it wasn’t popular… My mom always had beautiful skin. She taught me to take care of my skin from a really young age,” she said. Buono shared a selection of her favorite products and practices that have contributed to her skincare routine over the years.
As she looks to the future, Buono is also venturing into new projects. “I’ve been working on a book. I’m writing a memoir that I was approached about doing, so I’m doing that. This is a little bit of a different career. In addition, I’ve co-founded an app called Gifting Green, which I plan to launch in late spring,” she said.
