Vanessa Ferlito

Vanessa Ferlito
Ferlito at a photoshoot in 2014
Born (1977-12-28) December 28, 1977 (age 47)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active2001–present
Known forCSI: NY (2004–2006)
Graceland (2013–2015)
NCIS: New Orleans (2016–2021)
Children1

Vanessa Ferlito (born December 28, 1977)[1] is an American actress. She is known for playing Detective Aiden Burn in the first two seasons of the CBS crime drama CSI: NY,[2] as well as for her recurring portrayal of Claudia Hernandez in FOX drama 24, and for her starring roles as FBI Agent Charlie DeMarco in the USA Network series Graceland and as Tammy Gregorio on the CBS crime drama series NCIS: New Orleans.

She has also appeared in a number of films, including Spider-Man 2 (2004), Shadowboxer (2005), Man of the House (2005), Gridiron Gang (2006), Death Proof (2007), Nothing like the Holidays (2008), Madea Goes to Jail (2009), Julie & Julia (2009), Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), and Stand Up Guys (2012).

Early life

Vanessa Ferlito was born on December 28, 1977, in Brooklyn, New York City to an American-Italian family. She was raised by her mother and her stepfather, who owned a hair salon in Brooklyn. Her father died of a heroin overdose when she was two years old.[3][4] She said of her youth in Brooklyn: "I hung out with a rough crowd. And the neighborhood I grew up in was rough. We were scrappers. I fought my way through school."[5]

She became a notable fixture in the late-night circuit in New York City, telling New York magazine in 1998: "It’s like a job, going out – every night we’re trying to get people to introduce us to people. It’s all about who you know and what you do with it."[6]

Career

Early in her career, Ferlito worked as a model for Wilhelmina Models.[6] Ferlito developed acting aspirations early in her life and broke into the entertainment business through a series of guest spots and recurring roles.

In 2003, Ferlito starred as Lizette Sanchez in John Leguizamo's boxing drama Undefeated,[7] which earned her an NAACP nomination for Outstanding Actress in a TV movie. This was followed in 2004 by a role in Spider-Man 2.[8] In 2005 Ferlito appeared in Stephen Herek's Man of the House, opposite Tommy Lee Jones, for which she received positive notice, with Variety's Joe Leydon stating that "Vanessa Ferlito is the standout, mainly because she's the only one who gets enough to do to make a strong impression as a distinctive personality."[9]

Ferlito was a series regular on the first two seasons (2004–2005) of CBS's CSI: NY, as Aiden Burn, a member of the forensic investigation team led by Gary Sinise.[10][11][12] Ferlito has also appeared in other television series, including HBO's The Sopranos, NBC's Law & Order and Third Watch, and had a recurring role as Claudia in FOX's series 24.[13]

Ferlito at the premiere of Grindhouse (2007) in Austin, Texas.

After CSI: NY, Ferlito starred in several films, among them Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps;[14] Nora Ephron's Julie & Julia opposite Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Amy Adams; Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail;[15] and Alfredo De Villa's Nothing like the Holidays (originally titled Humboldt Park) with Alfred Molina, John Leguizamo and Jay Hernandez.[16][17] Prior to these, Ferlito appeared in Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof opposite Kurt Russell,[18][19] a role Tarantino wrote specifically for Ferlito.[citation needed] She also appeared in Lee Daniel's Shadowboxer with Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding Jr.[20]

In 2012, Ferlito was cast in the feature film, Stand Up Guys, opposite Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin.[21] She also played Charlie DeMarco on USA Network's Graceland, which ran between 2013 and 2015.[22] In 2016, Ferlito was added to the cast of NCIS: New Orleans for the show's third season, playing an FBI special agent who is sent from DC to investigate the NCIS team.[23]

Personal life

Ferlito gave birth to a son in September 2007 and raised her child as a single mother.[24][25] In her freetime, she enjoys yoga, hiking and riding a bike.[2]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2002 On Line Jordan Nash [26]
2002 25th Hour Lindsay Jamison
2004 Spider-Man 2 Louise
2004 The Tollbooth Gina
2005 Man of the House Heather
2005 Shadowboxer Vicki
2006 Gridiron Gang Lisa Gonzales [27]
2007 Death Proof Arlene "Butterfly"
2007 Descent Bodega Girl [28]
2008 Nothing like the Holidays Roxanna Rodriguez
2009 Madea Goes to Jail Donna
2009 Julie & Julia Cassie
2010 Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps Audrey
2012 Stand Up Guys Sylvia
2013 Duke "Cookie"
2015 All Mistakes Buried Franki Originally titled The Aftermath

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2001, 2004 The Sopranos Tina Francesco Episodes: "Another Toothpick", "Rat Pack"
2002 Third Watch Val Episode: "Blackout"
2003 Law & Order Tina Montoya Episode: "Star Crossed"
2003 Undefeated Lizette Sanchez TV movie
2003–2004 24 Claudia Hernandez Recurring role, 11 episodes
2004 CSI: Miami Aiden Burn Episode: "MIA/NYC Nonstop"
2004–2006 CSI: NY Aiden Burn Main role (seasons 1–2), 26 episodes
2006 Drift Georgia Fields Unsold TV pilot
2011 Cooper and Stone Angela Stone Unsold TV pilot[29][30]
2013–2015 Graceland Catherine "Charlie" DeMarco Main role, 38 episodes
2016–2021 NCIS: New Orleans Tammy Gregorio Main role (season 3–7)[31]
2023 Bookie Lorraine Main Cast, 13 episodes
2024 Griselda Carmen Gutiérrez Netflix miniseries

References

  1. ^ "Vanessa Ferlito - Box Office". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  2. ^ a b "TV's Glamorous Gals". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on 2024-02-02. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  3. ^ Kate Stanhope (July 17, 2013). "Graceland's Vanessa Ferlito on Her "Intense" Episode, How Daniel Sunjata Ruined Her Life". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  4. ^ "Scene Stealer: Get to Know Graceland's Vanessa Ferlito". Yahoo Entertainment. 2013-09-05. Archived from the original on 2024-02-02. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  5. ^ "An Interview with Vanessa Ferlito". ACED Magazine. 2015-07-04. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  6. ^ a b Nancy Jo Sales (August 24, 1998). "Caution: These Kids Are About to Blow Up". New York magazine. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  7. ^ Phil Gallo (July 27, 2003). "Review: 'Undefeated'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  8. ^ A. O. Scott (June 29, 2004). "Spider Man 2 (2004) FILM REVIEW; Putting Action After Feelings Of a Superhero". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  9. ^ Joe Leydon (February 25, 2005). "Review: 'Man of the House'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  10. ^ Gary Susman (March 18, 2004). "Gary Sinise leads confirmed CSI: New York cast". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  11. ^ Michael Speier (September 21, 2004). "Review: 'CSI: NY'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  12. ^ Chris Koseluk (November 18, 2008). "Case files: A look at 'CSI: NY' milestones". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  13. ^ Jill Feiwell; David Bloom (July 29, 2003). "Vanessa Ferlito". Variety. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  14. ^ Justin Kroll (September 2, 2009). "Vanessa Ferlito". Variety. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  15. ^ Byron Perry (July 13, 2008). "Vanessa Ferlito". Variety. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  16. ^ Borys Kit; Gregg Goldstein (February 1, 2008). "Family get-together at the 'Park'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  17. ^ Lisa Schwarzbaum (December 10, 2008). "Nothing Like the Holidays". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  18. ^ Kirk Honeycutt (April 1, 2007). "Grindhouse". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  19. ^ Kirk Honeycutt (May 23, 2007). "Critic's Notebook: 'Death' reincarnated". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  20. ^ "Teton bows with 'Boxer". Variety. June 6, 2006. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  21. ^ Justin Kroll (April 10, 2012). "2 thesps step into 'Stand Up Guys'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  22. ^ Ariana Bacle (October 1, 2015). "Graceland canceled after three seasons". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2015-11-05. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  23. ^ Denise Petski (June 22, 2016). "'NCIS: New Orleans': Vanessa Ferlito Cast as New Regular In Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  24. ^ "CBB Exclusive: Vanessa Ferlito expecting first child". People. August 9, 2007. Archived from the original on 2019-10-27. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
  25. ^ Paulette Cohn (September 27, 2016). "Vanessa Ferlito Talks Being the New Girl in the Big Easy on NCIS: New Orleans". Parade. Archived from the original on 2017-12-29. Retrieved 2017-12-29. I have an 8-year-old son.
  26. ^ Robert Koehler (January 15, 2002). "Review: 'On_Line'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  27. ^ "Gridiron Gang". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  28. ^ Stacy Dodd (December 11, 2005). "Rachael Leigh Cook, Vanessa Ferlito". Variety. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  29. ^ Nellie Andreeva (March 14, 2011). "CW's 'Cooper & Stone' Casts Stone". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  30. ^ Lacey Rose; Lesley Goldberg (May 17, 2011). "What's On and Off the CW Schedule". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  31. ^ Matt Webb Mitovich (August 10, 2016). "NCIS Shake-Ups, Big Bang Family Matters and More CBS Fall Preview". TVLine. Archived from the original on 2016-08-11. Retrieved 2016-08-10. In the aftermath of the Russo case, Brody decides to leave NCIS and FBI Special Agent Tammy Gregorio (Graceland's Vanessa Ferlito) investigates Pride and his team.
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