Gina Joy Carano (born April 16, 1982, in Dallas, Texas) is an American actress, former mixed martial artist (MMA fighter), model, and conservative commentator. She began her combat sports career as a kickboxer before transitioning to mixed martial arts, competing professionally from 2006 to 2009 in promotions like Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce, where she achieved a 7–1 record. Known as the 'face of women's MMA' despite rejecting the label, Carano made history alongside Cris Cyborg as the first women to headline a major MMA event in 2009. Her popularity in the sport led to modeling opportunities and a pivot to acting, with early roles in films like Blood and Sand (2007) and Faster (2010). Carano's breakout came with her portrayal of Cara Dune in Disney's The Mandalorian (2019–2020), earning her acclaim for her action-hero presence.

Carano's career faced a significant setback in February 2021 when she was fired from The Mandalorian and dropped by Lucasfilm due to controversial social media posts. These included comparing the political climate in the U.S. to Nazi Germany, questioning the 2020 election results, and expressing right-wing views on topics like COVID-19 vaccines and transgender rights, which were criticized as promoting misinformation and transphobia. The posts drew widespread condemnation, leading to her Instagram ban and professional isolation in Hollywood. Accused of antisemitism by some for the Nazi analogy, Carano defended her statements as free speech, later filing a lawsuit against Disney in February 2024 for wrongful termination and discrimination, alleging gender bias and political discrimination; the case remains ongoing as of 2024.

Following her dismissal, Carano aligned with conservative media, partnering with figures like Jeremy Boreing of The Daily Wire. She starred in their films, including Terror on the Prairie (2022) and My Son Hunter (2022), a controversial biopic about Hunter Biden, and voiced a character in The Daily Wire's animated series. Carano has become a prominent voice in conservative circles, appearing on podcasts and events to discuss free speech, cancel culture, and her experiences. Her shift has solidified her as a conservative media figure, though it has drawn criticism for associating with outlets accused of spreading conspiracy theories.