Charisma Carpenter's Kevo

As a fairly new and up-and-coming actress, Charisma Carpenter is typically known for her melodramatic roles as Ashley Green on Malibu Shores and Cordelia Chase on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although she initially did not aspire to be an actress, Carpenter's life seemed to prepare her for stardom.

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Carpenter trained in classical dance at the age of five. Her childhood included participating in beauty pageants, which her parents encouraged her to do. After her family’s move to California, she transferred to Chula Vista School of the Creative and Performing Arts and graduated with an emphasis in classical dance.

By 1991, Carpenter's training in dance led her to a one-year stint as a San Diego Chargers cheerleader. A year later, she moved to Los Angeles to be with her boyfriend and was urged into acting by several of the customers who frequented the restaurant where she waitressed.

Carpenter finally decided to give an acting career a chance, took classes and ultimately landed an agent. By the beginning of 1996, she added over 20 commercials and several guest spots on television series to her resume. Later that year, she received a regular role as Ashley Green on Aaron Spelling's Malibu Shores.

While still contracted with Malibu Shores, Carpenter received a page from her agent suggesting that she hurry down to the Warner Bros. studio to audition for a new series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although she arrived late, she was offered the part of Cordelia Chase, fortuitous especially due to the fact that Malibu Shores was soon cancelled (her agent had predicted the show’s demise prior to the audition).

During the 1999 season, Carpenter was offered a chance to co-star with David Boreanaz on Angel, a spin-off from Buffy where Carpenter could continue her role as Cordelia. Just like Carpenter herself did, Cordelia heads to Los Angeles in pursuit of an acting career.
Climb to Fame
Snobby Cordelia Chase on the WB's Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Work History
(1999) Will star as Cordelia in the spin-off series Angel

(1997) Found popularity as Cordelia on Buffy the Vampire Slayer

(1996) Received television starring role in Aaron Spelling's Malibu Shores

(1995) Film debut in Timemaster

(1995) Television series debut in Baywatch

(c.1994) Television commercial debut. The Secret Anti-perspirant commercial ran for approximately two years.

(?) While waiting tables, she was discovered by a commercial agent.

(1991) Cheerleader for the San Diego Chargers