Gina Torres

Gina Torres
Torres in 2024
Born (1969-04-25) April 25, 1969 (age 55)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1992–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2002; div. 2018)​
Children1

Gina Torres (born April 25, 1969)[1] is an American actress. Her starring roles include Zoe Washburne in the science fiction series Firefly (2002–2003) and its feature film sequel Serenity (2005), and as Jessica Pearson in the legal drama series Suits (2011–2018) and its spin-off series Pearson (2019).[2] She currently stars on the series 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Early life, family and education

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Torres was born in New York and was raised Catholic in The Bronx.[1][3] Her parents were natives of Cuba. Her father worked as a typesetter for La Prensa and the New York Daily News.[4] Torres speaks fluent Spanish.[5]

Torres is a mezzo-soprano. She began singing at an early age and attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City. She trained in opera and jazz and performed in a gospel choir. Torres applied and was accepted to several colleges but could not afford to attend.[6] She chose instead to pursue a career as an actress.[1]

Career

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In 2001, Torres won the ALMA Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Syndicated Drama Series for her role in Cleopatra 2525.[7] She starred as Zoe Washburne in Fox's short-lived Firefly series, which lasted only one season, in 2002.[8]

In 2004, Torres appeared in seven episodes of the third season on 24 as Julia Milliken, a woman who has an affair with the White House Chief of Staff and becomes involved in a presidential scandal. In 2005, she was tapped for the pilot episode of Soccer Moms. In that same year, Torres was nominated for the International Press Academy's Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Drama, for her role as Jasmine in Angel. Her film appearances have included the science fiction films The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (both 2003), the drama film Jam (2006), the romantic comedy film I Think I Love My Wife (2007), the independent drama film South of Pico (2007), and the drama film Selah and the Spades (2019).

Throughout her acting career, Torres has appeared in supporting roles in numerous television series, including Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, Cleopatra 2525, Alias, Angel, 24, The Shield, Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, Hannibal, Revenge, and Westworld.[9]

In 2005, she voiced the character of Vixen in numerous episodes of the animated series Justice League Unlimited and replaced the voice-over of Jada Pinkett Smith's character Niobe in The Matrix Online. She also reprised her Firefly role as Zoe in the film Serenity (2005).[1]

Torres in 2008

In 2006, Torres began her role as Cheryl Carrera in the short-lived drama series Standoff on the Fox network.[10] Torres appeared in the film I Think I Love My Wife, playing the wife of Chris Rock's character.[11]

She was cast in Washington Field, a 2009 CBS television pilot from executive producer Edward Allen Bernero, about the National Capital Response Squad, a unit of the FBI made up of elite experts in different areas who travel around the world, responding to events that affect American interests.[12]

She was the voice of Wonder Woman in DC Universe Online massively multiplayer online role-playing game[13] until mid 2013 when the part was recast,[14][15] as well as Airachnid in the Transformers Prime cartoon.[13]

In 2011, Torres was cast as main character Jessica Pearson on the USA Network legal drama Suits. In 2016, it was announced that Torres would be leaving the cast of Suits following the summer segment of season six. In addition to her contract being up, Torres stated she had grown tired of traveling between Toronto, where Suits is filmed, and her home in Los Angeles. She joined the season two cast of ABC's The Catch, which was filmed in L.A.[16] Torres returned to Suits for the season six finale, which aired on March 1, 2017. Following ABC's cancellation of The Catch in May 2017, Torres has returned to Suits as a recurring cast member in season seven.

Torres plays the role of CAPCOM in the updated version of Walt Disney World's Mission: Space.

In March 2018, it was announced Torres would executive produce and star in Pearson, a Suits spin-off centered on her character, Jessica Pearson.[17]

Torres at the 2018 Global Education and Skills Forum, in Dubai

It was announced on March 2, 2020, that Torres has been cast to portray Cleo Phillips in the drama pilot The Brides, which is written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, but the series was not picked up by ABC.[18]

On September 3, 2020, she was cast as Tommy Vega in the Fox drama series 9-1-1: Lone Star.[19]

Personal life

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Torres and Laurence Fishburne were engaged in February 2001, and married on September 22, 2002,[20] at The Cloisters museum in New York City.[21] They have a daughter together.[22] Torres was also the stepmother to Fishburne's two children from his previous marriage to actress Hajna O. Moss. During their marriage, Torres and Fishburne played a married couple on the show Hannibal (episodes in 2013–2015).[9]

In September 2017, Torres announced her separation from Fishburne.[23] Fishburne filed for divorce on November 2, 2017,[24] and the divorce was finalized on May 11, 2018, after Torres and Fishburne reached a final settlement on April 16, 2018.[25]

On January 1, 2020, Torres was a Grand Marshal of the 2020 Rose Parade.[26]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 Bed of Roses Francine
2003 The Matrix Reloaded Cas
The Matrix Revolutions
2004 Hair Show Marcella
2005 Fair Game Stacey
Serenity Zoe Washburne
2006 Jam Lilac
Five Fingers Aicha
2007 I Think I Love My Wife Brenda Cooper
South of Pico Carla Silva
2009 Don't Let Me Drown Diana
2010 Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Superwoman Voice, direct-to-video[27]
2013 Mr. Sophistication Janice Waters
2019 Selah and the Spades Maybelle Summers
Dispel Celeste Skygoode Short film[28]
2023 The Perfect Find Darcy Vale

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1992 Unnatural Pursuits Silken Episode: "I Don't Do Cuddles"
1992–1995 Law & Order Laura Elkin / Charlene 2 episodes
1994 M.A.N.T.I.S. Dr. Amy Ellis Television film
1995–1996 One Life to Live Magdalena / Nell 17 episodes
1996 Dark Angel LaMayne Television film
1997 Profiler Michelle Brubaker Episode: "FTX: Field Training Exercise"
The Gregory Hines Show Jeanette Episode: "Flirting with Disaster"
Xena: Warrior Princess Cleopatra Episode: "The King of Assassins"
1997–1999 Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Nebula / Beth Hymson 9 episodes
1998 La Femme Nikita Jenna Vogler Episode: "Open Heart"
2000–2001 Cleopatra 2525 Helen "Hel" Carter Main role; 28 episodes
2001–2006 Alias Anna Espinosa 6 episodes
2001–2002 Any Day Now Stacy Trenton 7 episodes
2002–2003 Firefly Zoe Washburne Main role; 14 episodes
2003 The Agency Dacia Banga Episode: "Absolute Bastard"
Angel Jasmine 5 episodes
The Law and Mr. Lee Vicki Lee Television film
The Guardian Sadie Harper 2 episodes
2004 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Warden Hutton Episode: "XX"
24 Julia Milliken 7 episodes
Gramercy Park Mrs. Hammond Television film
2004–2006 Justice League Unlimited Mari McCabe / Vixen Voice, 5 episodes[27]
2005 Soccer Moms Jamie Cane Television film
2006 The Shield Sadie Kavanaugh 2 episodes
Without a Trace Tyra Hughes Episode: "More Than This"
2006–2007 Standoff Cheryl Carrera Main role; 18 episodes
2007–2009 Dirty Sexy Money Princess Ama 2 episodes
2008 Boston Legal A.D.A. Mary Franklin Episode: "The Gods Must Be Crazy"
Bones Dr. Toni Ezralow Episode: "The Bone That Blew"
Criminal Minds Det. Thea Salinas Episode: "Normal"
2008–2009 Eli Stone Attorney Miller 2 episodes
2009 The Unit Sgt. Natasha Andrews Episode: "Best Laid Plans"
Applause for Miss E Maggie Television film
Pushing Daisies Lila Robinson Episode: "Water & Power"
Drop Dead Diva Diana Hall Episode: "Make Me a Match"
FlashForward Felicia Wedeck 2 episodes
Washington Field SA Jackie Palmer Television film
Gossip Girl Gabriela Abrams 2 episodes
2010 The Vampire Diaries Bree Episode: "Bloodlines"
The Boondocks Ebony Brown Voice, episode: "Lovely Ebony Brown"
Huge Dorothy Rand Main role; 10 episodes
2011–2013 Transformers: Prime Airachnid Voice, 12 episodes[27]
2011–2018 Suits Jessica Pearson Main role; 94 episodes
2013 Castle Penelope Foster Episode: "Reality Star Struck"
2013–2015 Hannibal Phyllis "Bella" Crawford 5 episodes
2015 Con Man Grace Episode: "Voiced Over"
Revenge Natalie Waters 3 episodes
2015–2018 Star Wars Rebels Ketsu Onyo Voice, 4 episodes
2016 The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez Eva Sofia Valdez Television film
2016–2020 Westworld Lauren 4 episodes
2017 The Catch Justine Diaz 10 episodes
Level Up Norge Ikora Rey Voice, episode: "Level Update #45"
Claws Sally Bates Episode: "Fallout"
Star Wars Forces of Destiny Ketsu Onyo Voice, 2 episodes
2018 Final Space Various voices 7 episodes
Angie Tribeca Gillian Kayhill Episode: "Behind the Scandalabra"
2019 A Black Lady Sketch Show CIA Supervisor Episode: "Angela Basset Is the Baddest Bitch"
Pearson Jessica Pearson Main role; 10 episodes[29][30]
Tangled: The Series Queen of Ingvarr Voice, episode: "Beginnings"[27]
2019–2020 Elena of Avalor Chatana Voice, 2 episodes
2019 Riverdale Mrs. Burble Episode: "Chapter Sixty-Five: In Treatment"
2020 The Brides Cleo Phillips Main role, unaired TV pilot
2021–present 9-1-1: Lone Star Tommy Vega Main role
2022–present The Legend of Vox Machina Keeper Yennen Voice[31][27]
2024–present Kindergarten: The Musical Ms. Sonja Moreno Voice, main role

Video games

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Year Title Role
2005 The Matrix Online Niobe
2011 DC Universe Online Wonder Woman[27]
2012 Transformers: Prime – The Game Airachnid[27]
Lichdom: Battlemage 12 Age Dragon
2014 Destiny Ikora Rey[32]
2015 Destiny: The Taken King
2017 Destiny 2 Ikora Rey / Warlock Vanguard
2018 Destiny 2: Forsaken
Lego DC Super-Villains Superwoman[27]
2019 Destiny 2: Shadowkeep Ikora Rey / Warlock Vanguard
2023 Immortals of Aveum General Kirkan

Theatre

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Year Title Role Venue
1993 Face Value Marci Williams Cort Theatre
1994 The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public Terri Clark Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Work Result
2001 ALMA Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Syndicated Drama Series Cleopatra 2525 Won
2004 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actress – Drama Series Angel Nominated
2012 ALMA Awards Favorite TV Actress in a Supporting Role Suits Nominated
2013 Imagen Awards Best Supporting Actress – Television Nominated
2014 Saturn Awards Best Guest Starring Role on Television Hannibal Nominated
2017 Imagen Awards Best Supporting Actress – Television Suits Nominated
2018 Won
2020 Best Actress – Television Pearson Nominated
2021 Best Supporting Actress – Television 9-1-1: Lone Star Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Gina Torres- Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  2. ^ Gelman, Vlada (January 17, 2019). "Suits' Jessica-Led Spinoff Gets a Title". TV Line. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  3. ^ Sippell, Margeaux (October 25, 2019). "Actress Gina Torres on Getting Started in the 'Urban Drama' Era: 'I Wasn't Black Enough'". TheWrap. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  4. ^ "Latinas 'Go Red For Women' & Rock Red Dresses in The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection 2014 Fashion Show". Latin Post. February 7, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  5. ^ Alma Awards red carpet interview (in English and Spanish). Telemundo. September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "Gina Torres". Gina-Torres.com. Gina Torres. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
  7. ^ "Gina Torres: Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  8. ^ Patches, Matt (August 4, 2012). "Gina Torress on 'Firefly' 10th Anniversary: 'I Just About Burst Into Tears'". Hollywood.com. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Jeffrey, Morgan (January 18, 2013). "Gina Torres on 'Hannibal' TV series: "It is chilling"". Digital Spy. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  10. ^ "Gina Torres on Standoff and Serenity". whedonesque.com. September 12, 2006. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  11. ^ Schwarzbaum, Lisa (March 14, 2007). "I Think I Love My Wife". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  12. ^ Sullivan, Brian Ford (November 4, 2009). "The Futon's First Look: 'Washington Field' (CBS)". thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  13. ^ a b Dickens, Donna (January 28, 2013). "Dear Hollywood: Cast Gina Torres As Wonder Woman". BuzzFeed. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  14. ^ Jens "Spytie" Anderson, Ted "Mepps" Stone. Sons of Trigon: Gotham Wastelands. DCUniverseOnlineGame. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2013 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ "It's a wonder: the voice actors of DC Universe speak out". Gamespot.com.
  16. ^ Shattuck, Kathryn (September 15, 2016). "Gina Torres on Why She Decided to Leave 'Suits'". The New York Times. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  17. ^ "USA Network Greenlights Gina Torres-Led Suits Spinoff". usanetwork.com (Press release). USA Network. March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  18. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 2, 2020). "Gina Torres To Headline 'The Brides' Dracula Reimagining ABC Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  19. ^ Petski, Denise (September 3, 2020). "'9-1-1: Lone Star': Gina Torres Joins Season 2 Of Fox Spinoff As New Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  20. ^ Barron, James (September 24, 2002). "Boldface Names: An Amicable Merger". The New York Times. Retrieved June 19, 2019. Section B; Column 3; Metropolitan Desk, p. 2.
  21. ^ "Laurence Fishburne And Wife Gina Torres Are Expecting Their First Child". abclocal.go.com. KABC-TV. Associated Press. January 8, 2007. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  22. ^ "Update: Laurence Fishburne and Gina Torres welcome first child; spotted out in Hollywood". People.com. November 14, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  23. ^ Respers France, Lisa (September 21, 2017). "Gina Torres and Laurence Fishburne split". CNN.com. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  24. ^ Bitette, Nicole (November 3, 2017). "Laurence Fishburne files for divorce from wife Gina Torres". Daily News.
  25. ^ "It's Over! Laurence Fishburne & Gina Torres Finally Sign Off On Divorce Settlement". radaronline.com. Radar Online, LLC. April 17, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  26. ^ "Actresses, gymnast named grand marshals of 2020 Rose Parade". apnews.com. Pasadena, California: Associated Press. October 15, 2019.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h "Gina Torres (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 10, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  28. ^ "About—Dispel". www.dispelshortfilm.com. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  29. ^ "USA Network Greenlights Gina Torres-Led Suits Spinoff". USA Network. March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  30. ^ "'Suits' Spinoff Starring Gina Torres Gets Title". Deadline Hollywood. May 14, 2018. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  31. ^ Moreau, Jordan (January 20, 2022). "Critical Role's 'Legend of Vox Machina' Adds Stephanie Beatriz, David Tennant, Tony Hale and More as Guest Stars". Variety. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  32. ^ "Destiny - End Credits". IGN. September 11, 2014. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2014 – via www.ign.com.
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