Gina Torres

About Gina Torres

Gina Torres (born April 25, 1969) is an American television and movie actress. She is known for her roles in science fiction and fantasy. She has appeared in many television series, including Mad TV, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (as Nebula), Xena: Warrior Princess (as Cleopatra), the short-lived Cleopatra 2525, as well as Alias (as Anna Espinosa), Firefly (as series regular Zoe Washburne), Angel (as Jasmine), The Matrix sequels in a supporting role, and The Shield. She also starred in the award-winning indie South of Pico as the fragile waitress (Carla).

Torres was born at the Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital in Manhattan, New York, the youngest of three children. Her family lived briefly in Washington Heights before moving to The Bronx. Her parents were both natives of Afro-Cuban descent and her father worked as a typesetter for La Prensa and the New York Daily News. Torres began singing at an early age and attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City. She applied to and was accepted to several colleges, but could not afford to attend. Torres subsequently decided that college wasn't what she needed, and chose to pursue her dream of being a performer.[citation needed]

Torres is a mezzo soprano who began her performing career as a singer, attending New York City's High School of Music and Art. Torres also trained in opera and jazz, and she performed in a gospel choir.