Charisma's Bio

Charisma Carpenter was born on July 23, 1970, and raised in fast-paced Las Vegas, Nevada. Even during her childhood, Charisma was very interested in the performing arts. At the young age of 5, she was already studying classical ballet.

Although Charisma enjoyed living in Las Vegas, her parents decided to move to Mexico when she was 15 years old. It was at this point that Charisma decided to attend the School for Creative and Performing Arts and do the one-hour commute from Mexico to San Diego. After she finally graduated high school, Charisma, like many other young women, decided to tour Europe.

charisma carpenter cheers for chargers

Upon returning to San Diego once again, she began working odd jobs to support herself, such as video store clerk, aerobics instructor and, in 1991, she even spent some time working as a cheerleader for the San Diego Chargers.

Soon after that, Charisma moved to Los Angeles and took up a job as a waitress on Sunset Boulevard. But she wasn't an aspiring actress at the time; Charisma was saving money so that she could return to school to become an English teacher.

Her fate, however, was headed in a very different direction. While she was working one day, a commercial agent discovered her and recommended that she attend a variety of acting schools. After sorting through all the schools and courses offered, Charisma decided to attend Playhouse West, a reputable acting school.

Because she quickly realized how passionate she was about acting, Charisma remained there for 18 months to study the techniques and drama. While she was still in school, she began doing a multitude of commercials. After approximately 20 of them, she got her first real acting break on Baywatch in 1994.

charisma carpenter on malibu shores

Almost two years after her guest appearance on the show, Charisma landed a starring role on Aaron Spelling's Malibu Shores . Unfortunately, the show, which also starred Keri Russell , was short-lived and, once again, Charisma was left without a solid acting job.

charisma on buffy the vampire slayer

But Charisma's luck was finally about to change. Luckily enough, her agent sent her out to audition for Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1997. Initially, she tried out for the part of the lead character, Buffy, which ultimately went to Sarah Michelle Gellar . But the producers asked her to try out for the part of Cordelia and, lo and behold, she was picked for the part instantly.

charisma carpenter goes from angel to buffy

After two years on Buffy , Charisma was offered a co-starring role opposite David Boreanaz on the spin-off show Angel , and she eagerly accepted, even though she would continue to play the same bratty, snobby character.

In the meantime, Charisma appeared in The Groomsmen (2001) and the made-for-TV movie See Jane Date (2003). She also made guest appearances on four episodes of Miss Match with Alicia Silverstone , as well as on Charmed with Alyssa Milano and Rose McGowan .

charisma carpenter poses

In June 2004, Charisma took it all off for Play .. boy -- just the kind of career move we admire.

Regrettably, this is a "look but don't touch" relationship, as she married her boyfriend of five years, actor Damian Hardy, in October 2002. They had a baby in March 2003 and they currently reside in Los Angeles.

Charisma Posters