Pinson was born in Fremont, California. As a child, she was inspired by her mother, a classically trained opera singer, to get into acting.[1] She attended Fremont Christian School,[2] and graduated from Mission San Jose High School.[2] Pinson later studied acting at the Charles Conrad Studios.[1] Pinson later made her screen debut appearing in the 1992 drama film The Mambo Kings playing secondary role. She later played supporting role in the 1995 comedy-drama film Unstrung Heroes, and in 1997 appeared in the science fiction film Starship Troopers. Later in 1997, Pinson was cast as Dr. Eve Lambert on the ABC daytime soap opera, Port Charles. She played the role from June 1, 1997 to April 1, 2002.[3] She received three Soap Opera Digest Awards nominations for her performance. After leaving the soap, Pinson moved to prime time television guest-starring on sitcoms Dharma & Greg and The Drew Carey Show. In 2004, Pinson had a brief run as Shiloh on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless appearing from February 16, 2004 to May 14, 2004.[4]
Pinson was engaged to fellow actor Billy Warlock, but they broke up shortly before their planned 1999 wedding. They reconnected in 2005 while working together on Days of our Lives and married in Las Vegas on August 26, 2006.[12]