Gina Torres

Gina Torres gained notoriety throughout the '90s for her roles in various fantasy television series and films. Her most notable appearances were in "Firefly "and the"Matrix." Securing a title as a sci-fi queen is a distinction that makes Torres courageous and versatile. Such is the nature of this starlet. Gina Torres was born April 25, 1969 in New York City. Her Afro-Cuban heritage enhances her exotic appeal.

Torres the youngest of three children would be sure to establish her space in the spot light. Although most of the pop culture community has come to know Torres as an actress, less are aware that her first passion was singing. The repertoire at Fiorello H LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts gave Torres training in vocal genres such as opera and jazz.

Her working class family was on a fixed income. There was little money to spare, particularly on higher education. Despite the multiple acceptance letters, Torres was unable to attend college. Decidedly performing was Gina's ultimate goal. She began by entertaining audiences in small independent productions as a mezzo soprano. By 1994, she chose to expand on her performance art instruction and pursue acting.

She made her '94 onscreen debut in "M.A.N.T.I.S." alongside lead Carl Lumbly and supporting co-star Marcia Cross. Torres worked steadily in television and film throughout the late 90s with little acclaim. Many of the roles were in ill fated television pilots or random one-episode appearances on lower rated shows. There were a few notable exceptions. The first was a role in the sleeper hit romantic comedy "Bed of Roses" with Christian Slater, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Josh Brolin. 

Torres also managed to land a recurring role on the television series "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys." Seemingly, Gina had found a niche as she continued along the fantasy genre. Gina landed a leading role in the 2000 futuristic series "Cleopatra 2525," with costars Victoria Pratt and Jennifer Sky. Although the show's ratings were mediocre as it scraped by for a meager two seasons, the exposure helped land Torres a role that soon earned her a cult following. Joss Whedon cast her in his new futuristic western television series "Firefly." Disappointedly, like her previous  televsion series "Cleopatra 2525", "Firefly" was short-lived. 

The show lasted only fourteen episodes. The unexpected reaction of fans would vindicate her ability to connect with an audience. Outraged viewers clamored for the show's return. Suddenly, in  the span of one season Torres and costars Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, and Adam Baldwin became small screen sensations. The show was never reinstated however with all of the fervor surrounding the series Whedon was given the green light for his feature film "Serenity"  This film tied up the show’s loose ends satisfying the die hard fans. The buzz surrounding "Firefly" drastically shifted Torres career.

Shortly there after she landed a small but well received role on Whedon’s series "Angel" opposite stars David Boreanaz, Alexis Denisof, and Charisma Carpenter. Shortly there after, Torres scored a supporting role in the  Wachowski projects "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutin". Gina's life would take a new direction with her appearance in these films. She would be working along side Hollywood heavy hitters Keanu Reeves, Monica Bellucci, Carrie Anne Moss, and Laurence Fishburne. The encounter with Fishburne would yeild personal fulfillment as the two were engaged in 2001,then married in September 2002. Publicists for the couple confirmed January 8, 2007 that Torres was pregnant with their first child. 

Continuing to land broader and more visible roles, Torres appeared for seven episodes on the wildly successful series "24" with Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Elisha Cuthbert. Torres also appeared on "Alias" with Jennifer Garner and The Shield with Michael Chiklis. In 2005, she and Kristin Davis shot fledgling episodes for a new series entitled “Soccer Moms” which has yest to be picked up by a network. More recently movie goers may have caught her working alongside Chris Rock and Kerry Washington in the feature film "I Think I Love My Wife". Currently Torres can be seen on the series "Standoff."

Yuddy