Charisma Carpenter Biography

Charisma Lee Carpenter (born July 23, 1970) is an American actress of Mexican and Cherokee descent. She is best known for playing the character Cordelia Chase in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel.

Carpenter was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she attended Bishop Gorman Catholic High School before moving with her family to Chula Vista, California, where she attended Chula Vista High School. After graduation, she was a San Diego Chargers cheerleader before beginning her Hollywood career. In 2002 she got married to Damian Hardy and on March 24, 2003 she gave birth to a boy, Donovan Charles Hardy.

Carpenter was discovered by a commercial agent when she was a waitress, leading to several roles on TV advertisements. She has made guest appearances in Baywatch, Miss Match and has had a role in Malibu Shores. She also a recurring role in the popular witch drama Charmed, appearing in three episodes.

In 2004, Carpenter posed nude for the June 2004 issue of Playboy magazine.

As of 2005, Carpenter has a recurring role as Kendall Casablancas on Veronica Mars. Her role in the season's overall mystery has not yet been revealed.