Charisma Carpenter

If you know more information about Charisma Carpenter help us to improve this page

Birthday:

23 July 1970, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Birth Name:

Charisma Lee Carpenter

Height:

170 cm

Born July 23, 1970, in Las Vegas, Charisma Carpenter was named after an Avon perfume (a fact that did not sit well with her). She studied classical ballet from age five. Her family moved around often. As a youngster, she entered many local beauty contests, and attended Gorman High School in Las Vegas. At 15 the family moved to Rosarita City, Mexico, and then to Bonita (a suburb of San Diego, CA), where she attended Bonita High. Charisma finally transferred to Chula Vista School of Creative and Performing Arts, where she graduated in 1988. In high school she was a cheerleader, and did the typical teen things: sneaking out and having boys over when mom wasn't home. Charisma's nature tends to be pensive, which some classmates unfortunately misinterpreted as being snooty.After graduating she traveled throughout Europe, then went on to college. She also worked as an aerobics instructor and in property management. In 1991 she was picked to be a cheerleader for the San Diego Chargers football team. The next year she moved to Los Angeles to break into the entertainment business. She audited classes at Playhouse West and was cast in over 20 major commercials, including a long stint for Secret deodorant. She also performed in a number of theater productions, including "No, No, Nanette" and "Welcome Home, Soldier." This tall (5'7") beauty with the striking looks, brunette hair with chestnut highlights and hazel eyes was a natural for TV; she started in an episode of Baywatch (1989) in October of 1994. Because of that appearance, Aaron Spelling personally auditioned her for the role of Ashley in Malibu Shores (1996), which had a brief run from March to June of 1996. Despite its short run, TV Guide noticed her and said she was beguiling and had the most fleshed-out character on the show. Charisma auditioned for the title role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) but wound up being cast as Cordelia. She had doubts about this and did not want to play a bitchy character again, but her agent reminded her that she couldn't be typecast until people knew her. She is quick to point out she is nothing like her TV persona, noting, "People might think I'm this awful person, but I'm not--I'm a nice girl". Fans and producers liked the character enough that she was transferred to a bigger role on the spin-off series Angel (1999). A long career in TV now seems assured for Charisma. Her hobbies include horseback riding, roller blading, hiking and rock climbing (for her 26th birthday, she had gone skydiving. When the folks at WB heard about this, they made her sign a clause that she would refrain from that for the length of her contract). She has prudently switched to writing poetry instead. Show less «

[6/30/03\\ I had my heart set on becoming an English teacher, but stumbled into acting after meeting a theatrical agent in my dad's restaura...Show more »

[6/30/03\\ I had my heart set on becoming an English teacher, but stumbled into acting after meeting a theatrical agent in my dad's restaurant in San Diego. Show less «

[6/30/03] Lots of doors have opened for me because of [Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)] and [Angel (1999)], but, although I'm ambitious, I'm...Show more »

[6/30/03] Lots of doors have opened for me because of [Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)] and [Angel (1999)], but, although I'm ambitious, I'm not going to just do anything simply because the money is good. If I can't love a project, then I'm not interested. Show less «

[in 2003, about Sarah Michelle Gellar winning the title role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)]. Initially I was disappointed, but while I ...Show more »

[in 2003, about Sarah Michelle Gellar winning the title role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)]. Initially I was disappointed, but while I didn't see it at the time, I know now I'm better suited to Cordelia . . . Moving from "Buffy" to [Angel (1999)] was great for me. On "Buffy" I wasn't all that high on the totem pole as far as responsibility and screen time. That all changed when I joined [David Boreanaz] in "Angel". The whole thing has been such a buzz. Show less «

I'm a mixed breed and hope to live longer because of it.

I don't really see myself being a sex symbol at all.

I think essentially the meaning of life is probably the journey and not really any one thing or an outcome or a result. I think it's kinda t...Show more »

I think essentially the meaning of life is probably the journey and not really any one thing or an outcome or a result. I think it's kinda the process and I think that if you can find happiness in the process then maybe that's it. I just feel really in love with life and the life I've created with my family. So it works for me. Show less «

Well, I can tell you what my goals are. I have a son now, so I want the half-hour sitcom lifestyle, where you can have a family and work. An...Show more »

Well, I can tell you what my goals are. I have a son now, so I want the half-hour sitcom lifestyle, where you can have a family and work. And then, during summer hiatus, I'd like to do a Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) or Wonder Woman (2009) or some movie like that. Show less «

You can take the girl out of Vegas, but you can't take the Vegas out of the girl.

[on her role as Cordelia in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)] I was a little turned off by the idea of doing another bitch. But my agent put ...Show more »

[on her role as Cordelia in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)] I was a little turned off by the idea of doing another bitch. But my agent put it to me quite frankly, that you have to be known before you can be typecast. Show less «

My mom owned a retail store, so I had these hot satin pants. I was like Satan at my all-Christian school.

[on playing "Kendall Casablancas" on Veronica Mars (2004)] The name is really spectacular. My manager was like, "It's the best name in prime...Show more »

[on playing "Kendall Casablancas" on Veronica Mars (2004)] The name is really spectacular. My manager was like, "It's the best name in prime time." I just laughed at him. Show less «

[on posing for Playboy] I wanted to get back to my old self. I wanted to feel desirable and sexy. So I thought, "What if I went full throttl...Show more »

[on posing for Playboy] I wanted to get back to my old self. I wanted to feel desirable and sexy. So I thought, "What if I went full throttle?" Show less «

With seven years of "Cordelia" [her character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) and its spin-off, Angel (1999)], I can't help but think tha...Show more »

With seven years of "Cordelia" [her character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) and its spin-off, Angel (1999)], I can't help but think that she's imprinted on me and that acerbic tongue is just a part of who I am now. Show less «

[on posing for Playboy] Posing in Playboy is more then just baring your body. It's about baring your soul. It's about finding joy, liberatio...Show more »

[on posing for Playboy] Posing in Playboy is more then just baring your body. It's about baring your soul. It's about finding joy, liberation, and warmth. I'm a very shy person, and I really came out of my shell during the shoot. At first, I was very nervous since I had only given birth less then a year before and just recently lost most of the weight I put on during my pregnancy. I insisted that my husband be present for the shoot so I would feel more comfortable in front the photographer and crew. By the time the two-day shoot was over, I was so relaxed and comfortable with displaying my nude body on the set that my husband was saying, "Honey, they're not shooting now. You can put your robe back on." Show less «