Valerie Cruz

Birthday: 18 July 1976, Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA

Height: 169 cm

Cruz recently joined the cast of FOX's hit series The Following where she plays strong-willed FBI Agent Gina Mendez, who alongside Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon), heads the investigation on serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy). Season three of the psychological drama series returns in March 2, 2015.Prior to this, Cruz's leading role as Grace Santiago on the F/X drama Nip/Tuck marked the start of her television career. In 2008, Cruz pulled double duty on two different television series, as Maria Nolan on Kevin Williamson's drama Hidden Palms, and as Connie Murphy in Syfy and Saturn Film's series The Dresden Files. Her performance on The Dresden Files earned her a 2008 ALMA Award nomination for "Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Drama Series."Cruz was also a part of Showtime's hit series Dexter, which led to another nomination for "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" at the 2009 SAG Awards. Immediately after, she joined the cast of HBO's True Blood, as vampire Isabel in their second season. Cruz then booked a leading role as Dr. Zee Alvarez in the ABC series Off The Map, created by Jenna Bans and produced by the prolific Shondaland Productions. Her momentum continued with a recurring arc on Showtime's award winning series Homeland where she played Major Joy Mendez. Along with these powerful roles, she has also made guest and recurring appearances on network heavyweight shows such as: Scandal, Law and Order SVU, Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy, to mention a few.In addition to her mainstream body of work, Cruz has made her mark on the independent film circuit with films like the action-drama The Line opposite Ray Liotta and Andy Garcia, as well as The Devil's Tomb opposite Cuba Gooding Jr., Ray Winstone and Ron Perlman. She recently wrapped production on the independent thriller The Loft where she starred alongside James Marsden and Eric Stonestreet.Originally from Elizabeth, New Jersey, Cruz currently lives in New York City. Hide

Stephen Moyer is probably the most gracious, gifted actor that I've met. He's really intelligent. He Show more Stephen Moyer is probably the most gracious, gifted actor that I've met. He's really intelligent. He has a real sensitivity to his character, to scenes, to scripts. Hide

I would love to adopt a child from a Spanish speaking country, because I want to have Spanish in the Show more I would love to adopt a child from a Spanish speaking country, because I want to have Spanish in the home. Hide

With 'Nip/Tuck,' I had never even done anything before I got on that show. They created that charact Show more With 'Nip/Tuck,' I had never even done anything before I got on that show. They created that character for me. I was reading for something else. Hide

I'm Cuban, so I know a lot of people who act like vampires. But wait, vampires have to be invited to Show more I'm Cuban, so I know a lot of people who act like vampires. But wait, vampires have to be invited to your house, so maybe they are nothing like Latinos! Hide

The best thing I've learned is that you have to listen to your body, and you have to be your own phy Show more The best thing I've learned is that you have to listen to your body, and you have to be your own physician. Don't ignore those little groaning aches and pains. Hide

I think that Europeans in general have a more global view of the world because they are in such prox Show more I think that Europeans in general have a more global view of the world because they are in such proximity to other countries that it enables them to travel and see other parts of the world. Hide

I eat tons of green veggies to keep my PH balance in check. I eat tons of green veggies to keep my PH balance in check.

With network, shows are pulled half the time after three episodes whether they're good or they're no Show more With network, shows are pulled half the time after three episodes whether they're good or they're not good. It's a numbers game. With cable, they can take a lot more liberties. Hide

Valerie Cruz's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (131)

Walker: Independence - Season 1

True Blood - Season 7

Las Vegas - Season 1 (2003)

1-800-Missing - Season 1

No Mans Land: The Rise of Reeker

NCIS - Season 10

Dexter - Season 6

The Following - Season 2

Alphas - Season 1

NCIS - Season 17