Vanessa Ferlito

Vanessa Ferlito is an American actress born on December 28, 1977. She is recognized for her main and recurring television roles, including portraying Detective Aiden Burn on CSI: NY, Claudia Hernandez on 24, Charlie DeMarco on Graceland, and Tammy Gregorio on NCIS: New Orleans.

Ferlito was raised in Brooklyn, New York City, within an Italian-American family. Her father passed away from a heroin overdose when she was two years old, after which she was raised by her mother and stepfather, who operated a local hair salon. Growing up in a tough Brooklyn neighborhood, she navigated a challenging environment during her youth and later became a prominent figure in the local late-night scene.

She began her career working as a model with Wilhelmina Models while pursuing her ambition to become an actress. Her entry into acting developed through guest roles and recurring appearances on television, including spots on notable series such as The Sopranos, Law & Order, and Third Watch.

In 2003, Ferlito starred as Lizette Sanchez in the boxing television drama Undefeated, which garnered her an NAACP nomination for Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie. Following this performance, she appeared in the major feature film Spider-Man 2 in 2004.

Ferlito became a series regular on the CBS crime series CSI: NY during its first two seasons, playing forensic investigator Aiden Burn. During this period, she also appeared in the 2005 film Man of the House opposite Tommy Lee Jones, receiving positive critical attention for her performance, as well as the film Shadowboxer.

Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, Ferlito built an extensive film resume. Quentin Tarantino authored a role specifically for her in the 2007 movie Death Proof. Her other film projects during this era included Gridiron Gang, Nothing like the Holidays, Madea Goes to Jail, Julie & Julia, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, and Stand Up Guys.

Ferlito returned to regular television roles as FBI Agent Charlie DeMarco on the USA Network series Graceland, which aired from 2013 to 2015. In 2016, she joined the cast of NCIS: New Orleans starting in its third season, playing an FBI special agent sent from Washington, D.C., to investigate the local team.

In her personal life, Ferlito became a mother to a son born in September 2007, whom she raised as a single parent. Her personal hobbies include yoga, hiking, and cycling.