Charisma Carpenter

Carpenter was born in Las Vegas, Nevada,{{Disputed inline|talk=Talk:Charisma Carpenter#Place of birth|date=September 2019}}{{Cite web | url = http://movies.msn.com/celebrities/celebrity/charisma-carpenter/ | title = Charisma Carpenter – Overview – MSN Movies | website = MSN Movies | access-date = October 20, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090728020408/http://movies.msn.com/celebrities/celebrity/charisma-carpenter/ | archive-date = July 28, 2009 | url-status = dead}} the only biological child of Christine, a bird sanctuary worker, and Don Carpenter, a salesman. She is of Spanish (from her maternal grandfather), French, and German descent.{{Cite magazine | url = http://www.latina.com/vivo-por-tivo/15-tv-stars-you-never-knew-were-latino | title = 15 TV Stars You Never Knew Were Latino | last = Hernandez | first = Lee | magazine = Latina | date = April 26, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120623010330/http://www.latina.com/vivo-por-tivo/15-tv-stars-you-never-knew-were-latino | archive-date = June 23, 2012 | url-status = live}}{{Cite magazine | url = https://www.latintrends.com/charisma-carpenter-im-a-proud-latina/ | title = Charisma Carpenter: I'm a Proud Latina! | last = Rodriguez | first = John | magazine = LatinTRENDS | date = July 23, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181021232408/https://www.latintrends.com/charisma-carpenter-im-a-proud-latina/ | archive-date = October 21, 2018 | url-status = live}} Carpenter attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas;{{Cite magazine | url = https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2014/jul/25/9-biggest-vegas-celebrities | title = 9 Biggest Vegas Celebrities | last = Houston | first = Jack | magazine = Las Vegas Magazine | date = July 25, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190515075334/https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2014/jul/25/9-biggest-vegas-celebrities/ | archive-date = May 15, 2019 | url-status = live}} she was also a part of a song-and-dance troupe which performed in the Las Vegas Valley when she was nine years old.{{Cite magazine | title = Earth Angel | url = https://www.iplayboy.com/issue/20040601 | magazine = Playboy | date = June 2004 | url-access = subscription}}

When Carpenter was 15, her family moved to Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico and then to San Diego, California.{{Cite web |last=Siegler |first=Bonnie |date=2024-05-27 |title=Charisma Carpenter Says You Can't Take the Vegas Out of a Vegas Girl |url=https://www.firstforwomen.com/entertainment/celebrities/charisma-carpenter |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=First For Women |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Mariska |date=2024-03-28 |title=She Played Cordelia Chase on Buffy The Vampire Slayer. See Charisma Carpenter Now at 53 |url=https://vanlifewanderer.com/2024/03/28/charisma-carpenter-2/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Van Life Wanderer |language=en-US}} She attended Bonita Vista High School{{Cite web | url = http://www.latina.com/entertainment/latino-celebrity-yearbook-photos | title = 16 High School Yearbook Pictures of Your Fave Celebs! | first = Priscilla | last = Rodriguez | magazine = Latina | date = July 9, 2014 | access-date = December 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220062344/http://www.latina.com/entertainment/latino-celebrity-yearbook-photos |archive-date=February 20, 2020}} and Chula Vista School of the Creative and Performing Arts.{{Failed verification|date=October 2020}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-09 |title=Supanova : Charisma Carpenter - Beat Magazine |work=Beat Magazine |url=https://beat.com.au/supanova-charisma-carpenter/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809223449/https://beat.com.au/supanova-charisma-carpenter/ |archive-date=August 9, 2024 |author1=Bigspin }} After graduation, Carpenter traveled throughout Europe. When she returned to San Diego, she worked as a video store clerk, an aerobics instructor, and in property management. In 1991, she worked as a cheerleader for the San Diego Chargers football team.{{Cite web | url = https://www.yahoo.com/news/charisma-carpenter-survivor-violent-attack-hosting-show-fighting-165911066.html | title = Charisma Carpenter, Survivor of Violent Attack, Hosting Show About Fighting Back | last = Malloy | first = Time | work = TheWrap | via = Yahoo! | date = August 3, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190705020201/https://www.yahoo.com/news/charisma-carpenter-survivor-violent-attack-hosting-show-fighting-165911066.html | archive-date = July 5, 2019 | url-status = live}}{{Cite magazine | url = https://people.com/archive/beyond-suspicion-vol-38-no-8/ | title = Beyond Suspicion | last = Prud'Homme | first = Alex | magazine = People | volume = 38 | issue = 8 | date = August 24, 1992 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190527212530/https://people.com/archive/beyond-suspicion-vol-38-no-8/ | archive-date = May 27, 2019 | url-status = live}} In 1992, she moved to Los Angeles.

While swimming in San Diego in 1991, she and two male friends were attacked by Henry Hubbard Jr., a former San Diego police officer and serial rapist, who attempted to subdue them at gunpoint. During the struggle, both her friends and Hubbard were shot, forcing him to flee the scene; both friends survived the attack. Hubbard was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 56 years in prison for a series of rapes and robberies. Carpenter brought Hubbard's police-issue flashlight from the beach, which he had left at the scene, and the flashlight became a key piece of evidence used against him.{{Cite web | url = https://tvline.com/2012/08/09/charisma-carpenter-i-survived-evil-preview/ | title = Exclusive: Charisma Carpenter Opens Up About How She Survived Evil, Plan to Tell Others' Tales | last = Mitovich | first = Matt Webb | website = TVLine | date = August 9, 2012 | access-date = February 24, 2020}}{{Cite web | url = http://style.uk.msn.com/health/charisma-carpenter-family-and-therapy-helped-me-get-over-rapist-attack | title = Charisma Carpenter: family and therapy helped me get over rapist attack | last = Wood | first = Stephanie | website = MSN Her UK | date = July 10, 2013 | access-date = October 27, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131011100718/http://style.uk.msn.com/health/charisma-carpenter-family-and-therapy-helped-me-get-over-rapist-attack | archive-date = October 11, 2013 | url-status = dead}}{{Cite web | url = https://www.thewrap.com/charisma-carpenter-survivor-violent-attack-hosting-show-about-survivors-50661/ | title = Charisma Carpenter, Survivor of Violent Attack, Hosting Show About Fighting Back | last = Molloy | first = Tim | work = TheWrap | date = August 3, 2012 | access-date = July 15, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190715030014/https://www.thewrap.com/charisma-carpenter-survivor-violent-attack-hosting-show-about-survivors-50661/ | archive-date = July 15, 2019 | url-status = live}}{{Cite news | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-11-mn-5290-story.html | title = S.D. Officer Is Given "56 Years in Beach Attacks : Crime: Henry Hubbard Jr. asks for forgiveness, says he is just beginning to understand his illness | last = Platte | first = Mark | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | location = San Diego | date = August 11, 1992 | access-date = July 8, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190403114240/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-11-mn-5290-story.html | archive-date = April 3, 2019 | url-status = live}}

Carpenter was discovered by a commercial agent while waiting tables in Los Angeles to save money for her college education. This led to her role on theatrical productions and more than twenty commercials.{{Cite web | url = http://www.tnt.tv/stories/story/?oid=4950 | title = Angel – Charisma Carpenter As Cordelia Chase – TV Show Cast – Actor Biography & Profile | website = TNT | date = July 15, 2003 | access-date = October 20, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607001432/http://www.tnt.tv/stories/story/?oid=4950 | archive-date = June 7, 2011 | url-status = dead}} She made her first television role in 1994 by appearing in an episode of Baywatch. Shortly after that, she landed a starring role in the NBC short-lived teen drama/soap opera series Malibu Shores.{{Cite web | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/reallife/ccarpenter.shtml | title = BBC - Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Charisma Carpenter plays Cordelia Chase | work = BBC | access-date = October 13, 2019}}

In 1996, Carpenter auditioned for the title role in The WB supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer but instead was cast as Cordelia Chase,{{Cite web | url = https://www.superiorpics.com/charisma_carpenter/ | title = The Charisma Carpenter Picture Pages | website = SuperiorPics | access-date = June 27, 2019 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130203071452/http://www.superiorpics.com/charisma_carpenter/ | archive-date = February 3, 2013 | url-status = dead }} a snobby and popular high school student. After three seasons on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Carpenter was offered an even larger role as the same character on the spin-off series Angel alongside David Boreanaz. She played Cordelia Chase for four seasons on Angel. Although her character leaves the series during Angel{{'}}s fourth season, Carpenter returned for the 100th episode in the fifth and final season.

File:Charisma Carpenter by Stanley Lui adjusted.jpg, Ontario]]

In 2004, Carpenter had a guest appearance in The WB fantasy drama series Charmed as a psychic demon named Kyra for three episodes{{Cite web | url = http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/188325/Charisma_Carpenter | title = Charisma Carpenter {{!}} Biography, Photos, Movies, TV, Credits | work = Hollywood.com | access-date = October 20, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100812055906/http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/188325/Charisma_Carpenter | archive-date = August 12, 2010 | url-status = dead}} and played a recurring role on NBC's Miss Match, appearing in four episodes. She also had a recurring role as Kendall Casablancas in the UPN mystery drama series Veronica Mars for the 2005–06 season, appearing in 11 episodes. Carpenter guest-starred in the first-season finale of the ABC Family comedy-drama series Greek and reprised her role for two episodes of Season 2. According to TV Guide in September 2007, she was set to join the cast of The Apprentice: Celebrity Edition,{{Cite magazine | url = http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Todays-News/Exclusive-Buffy-S/800022075 | title = Exclusive: Buffy's Charisma Stakes Apprentice Spot | last = Mitovich | first = Matt Webb | magazine = TV Guide | date = September 12, 2007 | access-date = September 25, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013124552/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Todays-News/Exclusive-Buffy-S/800022075 | archive-date = October 13, 2007 | url-status = dead}} but instead she chose to do a guest appearance in the Fox comedy series Back to You as well as a two episode role on the short-lived series Big Shots.{{Cite magazine | url = https://www.tvguide.com/news/charisma-trumps-big-11981/ | title = For Charisma, Trump's Out, Other Big Shots Are In | last = Mitovich | first = Matt | magazine = TV Guide | date = September 21, 2007 | access-date = July 8, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180816152815/https://www.tvguide.com/news/charisma-trumps-big-11981/ | archive-date = August 16, 2018 | url-status = live}} Carpenter also had a guest appearance in an April 2009 episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation entitled "The Descent of Man".

On March 20, 2008, Paley Fest hosted a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion. Carpenter attended the event alongside Buffy creator Joss Whedon, producers Marti Noxon and David Greenwalt, and other Buffy alumni including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, James Marsters, Emma Caulfield, Amber Benson, Seth Green, and Michelle Trachtenberg.{{Cite news | author = | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paley-fest-2008-106506 | title = Paley Fest 2008 | work = The Hollywood Reporter | agency = Associated Press | date = March 8, 2008 | access-date = August 1, 2020 }}

Carpenter has starred in an assortment of made-for-TV and direct-to-video films including the sex comedy What Boys Like, the horror film Voodoo Moon, and the romantic comedies See Jane Date and Relative Chaos on ABC Family (the latter of which co-starred fellow Buffy alum Nicholas Brendon). She also appeared in the original films Flirting with Danger and Cheaters' Club (both 2006) both on Lifetime and the Syfy original film House of Bones broadcast in 2010,{{Cite web | url = https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/15245/a-trifecta-of-jeffery-lando-films-to-choose-from/ | title = A Trifecta of Jeffery Lando Films to Choose From | last = Barton | first = Steve | work = Dread Central | date = January 16, 2010 | access-date = July 5, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190302044043/https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/15245/a-trifecta-of-jeffery-lando-films-to-choose-from/ | archive-date = March 2, 2019 | url-status = live}} around the same time as her guest spot in Legend of the Seeker.

In 2009, Carpenter starred in production company Red Sparrow's first film, Psychosis, which was released on January 11, 2011. In August 2010, she had a supporting role in Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables.{{Cite magazine | url = https://variety.com/2009/film/news/austin-carpenter-join-expendables-1118001115/ | title = Austin, Carpenter join 'Expendables' | last = Dodd | first = Stacy | magazine = Variety | date = March 11, 2009 | access-date = July 10, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190711031431/https://variety.com/2009/film/news/austin-carpenter-join-expendables-1118001115/ | archive-date = July 11, 2019 | url-status = live}} After the success of The Expendables, Carpenter was cast in Human Factor{{Cite web | url = http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2010/08/22/charisma-carpenter-and-sean-patrick-flanery-join-michael-madsens-the-human-factor/ | title = Charisma Carpenter and Sean Patrick Flanery join Michael Madsen's The Human Factor | last = Heath | first = Paul | website = The Hollywood News | date = August 22, 2010 | access-date = July 10, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180909114204/http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2010/08/22/charisma-carpenter-and-sean-patrick-flanery-join-michael-madsens-the-human-factor/ | archive-date = September 9, 2018 | url-status = live}} and in the indie thriller Crash Site.{{Cite web | url = http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Charisma-Carpenter-And-Ty-Olsson-Sign-On-For-Crash-Site-20433.html | title = Charisma Carpenter and Ty Olsson Sign on for Crash Site | last = Rich | first = Katey | website = CinemaBlend | date = August 31, 2010 | access-date = October 20, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100904075658/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Charisma-Carpenter-And-Ty-Olsson-Sign-On-For-Crash-Site-20433.html | archive-date = September 4, 2010 | url-status = live}} She appeared in an episode of the seventh season of Supernatural alongside Buffy co-star James Marsters. In 2012, Carpenter landed a recurring role as Rebecca Sewell in the first season of ABC Family drama series The Lying Game. She was upgraded to a series regular for the second season. Later in the same year, she reprised her role as Lacy in The Expendables 2.

On August 28, 2013, Surviving Evil (original working title: I Survived Evil) debuted on Investigation Discovery, with Carpenter as host; in the premiere episode, Carpenter herself was featured as a crime survivor, revisiting the horrific attack she and two friends suffered at the hands of violent serial rapist and police officer Henry Hubbard Jr. on San Diego's Torrey Pines State Beach in 1991.{{Cite magazine | url = https://people.com/archive/beyond-suspicion-vol-38-no-8/ | title = Beyond Suspicion | last = Prud'Homme | first = Alex | magazine = People | date = August 24, 1992 | access-date = July 9, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190527212530/https://people.com/archive/beyond-suspicion-vol-38-no-8/ | archive-date = May 27, 2019 | url-status = live}} She starred in the 2015 erotic film Bound, alongside Morgan Obenreder, which received a lukewarm reception.{{Cite web | url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bound_2015 | title = Bound (2015) | work = Rotten Tomatoes | access-date = April 3, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190418224538/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bound_2015 | archive-date = April 18, 2019 | url-status = live}} She later led the television film Mommy's Secret.{{Cite web | url = https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/mommys-secret | title = Mommy's Secret | work = Lifetime | access-date = April 3, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190403210803/https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/mommys-secret | archive-date = April 3, 2019 | url-status = dead}}

Carpenter was named No. 31 on AskMen's Top 99 Most Desirable Women 2002{{Cite web | url = http://www.askmen.com/specials/2002_top_99/31.html | title = 31 Charisma Carpenter | website = AskMen | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130527185919/http://www.askmen.com/specials/2002_top_99/31.html | archive-date = May 27, 2013 | url-status = dead}} and No. 44 on their 2005 list.{{Cite web | url = http://www.askmen.com/specials/2005_top_99/44.html | title = 44 Charisma Carpenter | website = AskMen | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050127065812/http://www.askmen.com/specials/2005_top_99/44.html | archive-date = January 27, 2005 | url-status = dead}}{{Cite web | title = AskMen.com Top 99 Most Desirable Women – Charisma Carpenter | url = http://www.hollywood.com/feature/AskMencom_Top_99_Most_Desirable_Women__Charisma_Carpenter/2434272 | work = Hollywood.com | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120107061352/http://www.hollywood.com/feature/askmencom_top_99_most_desirable_women__charisma_carpenter/2434272/ | archive-date = January 7, 2012 | url-status = dead}} Despite this, Carpenter has stated she does not view herself as a sex symbol.{{Cite web | url = http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/actress/24_charisma_carpenter.html | title = Charisma Carpenter | website = AskMen | access-date = June 29, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110925194924/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/actress/24_charisma_carpenter.html | archive-date = September 25, 2011 | url-status = dead}}

Carpenter appeared on the cover and in a ten-page nude pictorial of the June 2004 issue of Playboy magazine. When she was asked by People magazine in 2005 whether she would ever pose for Playboy again, she replied, "I don't know. I did Playboy for a very specific reason. Not only was it a good financial move, but it was about the place I was at in my life. I had just had my son and I'd gained 50 pounds during pregnancy. I wanted to get back to my old self. I wanted to feel desirable and sexy. So I thought, 'What if I went full throttle'?"{{Cite interview | url = https://people.com/celebrity/veronica-mars-charisma-carpenter/ | title = Celebrity Q&A: Veronica Mars' Charisma Carpenter | last = Carpenter | first = Charisma |interviewer=Carrie Bell | magazine = People | date = November 4, 2005 | access-date = September 26, 2019}}

Carpenter married Damian Hardy on October 5, 2002, in her hometown of Las Vegas.{{Cite magazine | url = https://people.com/celebrity/buffys-charisma-carpenter-husband-split/ | title = Buffy{{'}}s Charisma Carpenter, Husband Split | last1 = Miller | first1 = Gerri | last2 = Chi | first2 = Paul | magazine = People | date = November 27, 2007 | access-date = July 10, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180509101802/http://people.com/celebrity/buffys-charisma-carpenter-husband-split/ | archive-date = May 9, 2018 | url-status = live}} In March 2003, Carpenter gave birth to a son, Donovan Charles Hardy.{{Cite magazine | url = http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,625904,00.html | title = Passages: Charisma Carpenter a Mommy | last = Barile | first = Louise A. | magazine = People | date = March 27, 2003 | access-date = June 5, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080416034806/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,625904,00.html | archive-date = April 16, 2008 | url-status = dead}} In late 2007, the couple separated and their divorce was finalized on July 8, 2008.{{Cite web | url = http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b2813_charisma_carpenter_hammers_home_divorce.html | title = Charisma Carpenter Hammers Home Divorce | last = Finn | first = Natalie | work = E! | date = July 8, 2008 | access-date = September 10, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080926205527/http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b2813_charisma_carpenter_hammers_home_divorce.html | archive-date = September 26, 2008 | url-status = dead}} Carpenter is Catholic.{{Cite web | url = https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2021/02/buffy-creator-accused-of-abusive-behavior-denigrating-catholic-beliefs-of-actress/ | title = 'Buffy' creator accused of abusive behavior, denigrating Catholic beliefs of actress | last = Collins | first = Charles | website = Crux| date = February 11, 2021 | access-date = February 11, 2021 }}

In February 2021, Carpenter spoke out against director Joss Whedon in support of Ray Fisher who claimed to have experienced a toxic environment at the hands of the director.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56023198 |title=Joss Whedon: Buffy stars accuse TV show's 'cruel' creator |work=BBC News |date=February 11, 2021 |access-date=February 12, 2021 }} She accused Whedon of dismissing her from Angel in 2003 because of her pregnancy, returning in a guest role for a 2004 episode.{{cite magazine |last1=Watts |first1=Marina |title=Charisma Carpenter Says Joss Whedon Accused Her of 'Sabotaging' 'Angel' With Her Pregnancy |url=https://www.newsweek.com/charisma-carpenter-says-joss-whedon-accused-her-sabotaging-angel-her-pregnancy-1568319 |magazine=Newsweek |access-date=January 19, 2023 |date=February 10, 2021}}

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2002); as Cordelia Chase (voice role){{Cite web |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-The-Video-Game/ |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Video Game |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors |access-date=September 18, 2020}}

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Category:1970 births

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Category:Actresses from Las Vegas

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