biography

Like many aspiring actors, Charisma's career began with commercials. That didn't last long though. Her first television role was a guest appearance in "Baywatch." She was soon cast in the role of Ashley in the Aaron Spelling series "Malibu Shores." Then came the "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" audition that sent her career soaring.

Though she originally auditioned for the role of Buffy Summers, producers loved her sharp-tongued wit and asked her to read for the role of Cordelia Chase. It was a match. She landed the part and played the slayer's nemesis for three successful seasons. Last year, she took her Cordelia persona to the highly successful spin-off "Angel."

Charisma was born in Las Vegas on July 23, 1970. Her folks couldn't agree on what to name their daughter. Their inspiration ended up coming from a bottle of Avon perfume. They didn't like the smell but they loved the name. Charisma has had her share of chiding because of the name, actually going by Chrissy until the age of 9.

The family lived in Vegas until Charisma was 13 when they moved to San Diego, where she began to take classes at the School of the Creative and Performing Arts in Chula Vista. After graduating from high school, she spent some time touring Europe. She returned to San Diego, and worked various jobs to support herself through junior college. Those jobs included a waitress, a property manager, a video store clerk, an aerobics instructor, and a San Diego Chargers cheerleader.

Charisma enjoys ballet, horseback riding, Rollerblading, hiking, rock-climbing, and has even been known to skydive from time to time. In a recent article in Stuff Magazine, Charisma describes herself as "…the kind of girl who loves drinking beer and rocking out to The Doors." Charisma currently lives in her two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles. She's settled into a very steady relationship with fellow actor Damian Hardy whom she met at acting class.

filmography

  1. Twins, The (2000)
  2. "Angel" (1999/I) TV Series .... Cordelia Chase
  3. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997) TV Series .... Cordelia Chase (1997-1999)
  4. Josh Kirby... Time Warrior: Chapter 6, Last Battle for the Universe (1996) (V) .... Beth Sullivan
  5. "Malibu Shores" (1996) TV Series .... Ashley Green
  6. Josh Kirby... Time Warrior: Chapter 1, Planet of the Dino-Knights (1995) (V) .... Beth Sullivan
  7. Josh Kirby... Time Warrior: Chapter 2, the Human Pets (1995) (V) .... Beth Sullivan
  8. Timemaster (1995)

Notable TV guest appearances

  1. "Keenen Ivory Wayans Show, The" (1997) playing "Herself" 1/8/1998
  2. "Boy Meets World" (1993) playing "Caterer" in episode: "Train of Fools" (episode # 3.10) 12/15/1995
  3. "Baywatch" (1989) playing "Wendie Sanders" in episode: "Air Buchannon" (episode # 5.5) 10/24/1994