Nadine Velazquez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nadine Velázquez
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Velázquez around 2006
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| Born | November 20, 1978 |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Marc Provissiero
(m. 2005; div. 2011) |
Nadine E. Velázquez (born November 20, 1978) is an American actress and model. She is best known for playing Catalina Aruca in the TV show My Name Is Earl and Sofia Ruxin in The League.
Velázquez has also acted in many movies. Some of her films include Flight (2012), Snitch (2013), and Ride Along 2 (2016). She was also a main character on the television series Major Crimes.
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Early Life and Education
Nadine Velázquez was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her family has a Puerto Rican background. After finishing high school at Notre Dame High School for Girls, she went to college.
In 2001, she graduated from Columbia College Chicago. She earned a degree in marketing, which is the study of how to promote and sell products.
Acting Career
Velázquez began her career as a model and actress in commercials. Her very first acting job was in a McDonald's commercial where she played a worker at the drive-through.
Breakthrough TV Roles
Velázquez's big break came when she was cast as Catalina Aruca in the NBC comedy series My Name Is Earl. She had first been chosen for a role in the show Prison Break, but she decided to take the part in My Name Is Earl instead. The show was very popular and made her a well-known actress.
From 2009 to 2015, she had a recurring role as Sofia in the comedy show The League. She also appeared in other popular shows like Hart of Dixie and Raising Hope, where she worked with her former cast members from My Name Is Earl.
Movie Appearances
Besides television, Velázquez has acted in several movies. She appeared in the action film War with Jet Li and Jason Statham.
In 2012, she played a flight attendant named Katerina Marquez in the movie Flight. She acted alongside famous actor Denzel Washington, who played the main character. She later appeared in the action movie Snitch (2013) with Dwayne Johnson and the comedy Ride Along 2 (2016).
Major Crimes and Queens
From 2013 to 2017, Velázquez was a main cast member on the TNT series Major Crimes. She played Emma Rios, a district attorney. Her character had a romantic storyline with Detective Julio Sanchez, played by actor Raymond Cruz. Cruz had also played her boyfriend on My Name Is Earl.
In 2021, Velázquez joined the cast of the ABC music drama Queens. She starred with singers and actresses Brandy, Eve, and Naturi Naughton. The show is about a 1990s hip-hop group that reunites. Velázquez's character is named Valeria "Butter Pecan" Mendez. She even recorded songs for the show's soundtrack, including "Nasty Girl" and "The Introduction."
Other Work
In 2008, Velázquez was a judge for the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant. The next year, she was a host for the Miss USA 2009 pageant.
Personal Life
Velázquez married talent agent Marc Provissiero in 2005. They divorced in 2011.
Notable Roles
Here are some of Nadine Velázquez's most well-known roles in movies and television.
Film
- Biker Boyz (2003) as Allison
- War (2007) as Maria
- Flight (2012) as Katerina Marquez
- Snitch (2013) as Analisa
- Ride Along 2 (2016) as Tasha
- The Bounce Back (2016) as Kristin Peralta
Television
- My Name Is Earl (2005–2009) as Catalina Aruca
- The League (2009–2015) as Sofia
- Hart of Dixie (2011–2012) as Didi Ruano
- Major Crimes (2013–2017) as D.D.A. Emma Rios
- Six (2017–2018) as Jackie Ortiz
- Queens (2021–2022) as Valeria "Butter Pecan" Mendez
See also
In Spanish: Nadine Velazquez para niños
