Karen Praxel

Karen Praxel (born 12 November 1963) is an American film and television actress and producer. She is known for her roles in Screwed (2013) and Blood Corral (2018) and producing Wish (2008).

Karen Praxel was born as Karen E. Praxel on November 12, 1963, in Sacramento, California. 

Praxel made her acting debut in 1996 with a minor role of a Hollywood Showcase Script Supervisor in Tom Hanks' comedy-drama That Thing You Do!, starring Tom Everett Scott and Liv Tyler.

Five years later, in 2001, she was seen as "Ellen Chalsky" in director Jonathan Yudis' short film Spirit Rising (starring Jim Hanks, and Gloria Gifford). 

In 2008, Praxel produced and acted in a short drama titled Wish, which was directed by her husband Jim Hanks.

Over the following years, she appeared in a wide range of films and TV series including Shark Swarm (2008), The Perfect Gentleman (2010), Gossip Boy (2013), Screwed (2013), and "Fishy Pigs" episode of TV series Film Pigs (2015). 

Praxel was last seen on the screen in 2018, portraying the character of "Teresa" in director Scott New's Western thriller Blood Corral (starring Jim Hanks, and Frazer Hines)

Praxel has been married to Jim Hanks (younger brother of actor Tom Hanks) since May 26, 1986. They have one child James J. Hanks.

She and Jim Hanks have appeared together in a few films including Wish, which was produced by her and directed by her husband. Her debut film, That Thing You Do!, was directed by her brother-in-law Tom Hanks.