Dania Ramirez

Acting · b. 1979 · Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Dania Jissell Ramirez (born November 8, 1979) is a Dominican actress. Her credits include the roles of Nikki Batista on Alert: Missing Persons Unit, Rosie Falta on Lifetime's Devious Maids, Maya Herrera in Heroes, Alex in Entourage, Blanca on the last season of The Sopranos, and Cinderella on the last season of ABC's Once Upon a Time. Her film roles include Alex Guerrero in She Hate Me and Callisto in the feature film X-Men: The Last Stand.

Full biography

She has made appearances in numerous music videos for artists such as LL Cool J, De La Soul, Santana, and Wisin & Yandel. She has acted in TV shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Heroes, 10-8: Officers on Duty, Entourage, and The Sopranos. In 1997, she was an extra in the HBO film Subway Stories, which led to her encountering filmmaker Spike Lee. He would later direct her in her film debut playing Daphne in 25th Hour (2002), as well as in She Hate Me (2004). Other films she has starred in include X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Quarantine (2008), Cross Bronx (2004), and Premium Rush (2012).

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from an early age she knew her calling to be an actress. As a child, she enjoyed reenacting telenovelas for her relatives. A modeling scout saw her working in a store at the age of 15, which led to her first acting job, in an ad for soda. She later apprenticed in the Actor's Workshop in N.Y.C. She then relocated to L.A. to develop her acting ambition.