READER PANEL

PROFILE

Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo

ON SOAP OPERA DIGEST AND WEEKLY ONLINE

SOAP STAR STATS

Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo (Brenda, GH)

— ABC

Vital Statistics

Birthdate:: October 15
Birthplace:: Indio, CA
Star Sign:: Libra
Years On Show:: 1992-'98, 2002-'03, 2010-present
Marital Status:: Married Carmine Giovinazzo on July 11, 2010; Corey Feldman, August 6, 1989-January 1, 1993 (divorced)
Children:: Son, Kassius Lijah Marcil-Green, with Brian Austin Green; born March 30, 2002

THE 411

Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo was born in Indio, CA, and grew up in Palm Desert with her parents and three older siblings. She started acting when she was 8 years old and won a talent show in sixth grade after performing an original song. After studying law at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., she pursued an acting career and secured several starring roles in theatrical productions. In 1992, she landed the role of Brenda on GENERAL HOSPITAL.

Vanessa stayed on GH for six years, while also appearing on other television shows and in films. Her film debut came in playing the wife of Nicolas Cage's character in 1996's The Rock. She returned to GH in 2002, and after she left the soap the next year, more diverse roles awaited, on shows such as CROSSING JORDAN, WITHOUT A TRACE, ONE HOT SUMMER, and a lead on LAS VEGAS.

Vanessa currently resides in Los Angeles with her son, Kassius, and spouse Carmine Giovinazzo (Danny, CSI: NY).

ET CETERA

Five random facts
—Has a tattoo on her lower back representing peace and love in the universe.
—Named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 1996.
—Was offered a cover and feature in Playboy, but declined.
—Has designed a line of children's clothing called Kass (after Kassius). A portion of proceeds helps to build schools and empower mothers in Africa.
—Prince is believed to have written his 1994 song "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" about her.

OTHER ROLES

TV Roles
WITHOUT A TRACE (Kim, 2009)
LIPSTICK JUNGLE (Josie, 2008)
LAS VEGAS (Sam, 2003-'08)
CROSSING JORDAN (Sam, 2004-'05)
NYPD BLUE (Det. Carmen Olivera, 2001-'03)
SPIN CITY (Crazy Kara, 2001)
BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 (Gina, 1998-2000)
HIGH INCIDENT (Kerry, 1997)

TV Movie Roles
ONE HOT SUMMER (Margarita, 2009)
THE NANNY EXPRESS (Kate, 2008)
TO LOVE, HONOR AND DECEIVE (Sydney, 1996)

Film Roles
The Bannen Way (Madison, 2010)
Storm Watch (Tess, 2002)
This Space Between Us (Maggie, 1999)
Nice Guys Sleep Alone (Erin, 1999)
976-WISH (Danielle, 1997)
The Rock (Carly, 1996)

LOOK WHO'S TALKING

"I hate getting dressed up. I love when my character's in pajamas ... sitting. Awards shows? The worst. Heels, I can't deal with. They're the hardest thing to walk in. And dresses — tight dresses — they're the worst. I thought about going to the Emmys in Levi's, but I thought people would find it insulting." — Soap Opera Digest, 8/18/98

"GH is always in the mix for me. If I did leave, I would always come back without any qualms. I feel good about myself as an actress here." — Digest, 5/20/97