Sally Vanessa "Vanessa Marcil" Ortiz
Vanessa Marcil was born Sally Vanessa Ortiz in the balmy desert community of Palm Springs, California, but her family soon moved to decidedly cooler Anchorage, Alaska, where her businessman father is credited for building the first earthquake-proof structure in the state. The youngest of four children, she and her family later returned to Palm Desert, California, where she began acting in local theater at age eight.
She has performed in numerous theatrical productions, including Neil Simon's Fools, Pygmalion, Mamet's Women, The Miracle Worker, and Sweet Bird of Youth, among others. General Hospital marked Ms. Marcil's professional television debut.
In December of 1997, Vanessa starred in an ABC movie for television, To Love, Honor and Deceive. She also had a recurring guest-starring role on the ABC police drama, High Incident. Theatrically, Ms. Marcil co-starred with country music star Dwight Yoakam and Oscar nominee Sally Kirkland in the stage play, Southern Rapture, directed by Peter Fonda. She was also spotlighted in the 1995 edition of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People." In the hit feature film, The Rock, Vanessa co-starred with Sean Connery, Ed Harris, and Nicolas Cage.
Ms. Marcil has strong feelings about helping people, and in her spare time she volunteers for various causes. She is an active runner and bodybuilder; she also enjoys riding motorcycles, spending days on the beach, singing, and seeing films with friends.
In 2010, Marcil married long-time boyfriend Carmine Giovinazzo.
The Nanny Express
Kate
2009
Lipstick Jungle
Josie Scotto
2008
Blush: The Search for America's Greatest Makeup Artist
Herself/Host
2008
Las Vegas
Sam Marquez
2003-2008
Crossing Jordan
Sam Marquez
2004-2005
NYPD Blue
Det. Carmen Olivera
November 6, 2001
Spin City
Crazy Cara; "Shot in the Dark, A" (episode # 5.22)
May 23, 2001
Beverly Hills, 90210
Gina Kincaid
1998-2000
General Hospital
Brenda Barrett
September 18, 1992, to
September 11, 1998;
September 4, 2002 to
February 19, 2003;
August 11, 2010 to
July 21, 2011April 2, 2013 to
April 23, 2013
This Space Between Us
Maggie Harty
2000
Nice Guys Sleep Alone
Erin
1999
To Love, Honor and Deceive
Sydney Carpenter
1997
976-WISH
Danielle
1997
The Rock
Carla Pestalozzi
1996
Appeared in the music video for "The Most Beautiful Girl In the World," by Prince
Daytime Emmys Winner, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2003)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (1997, 1998, 2003)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2003)
Soap Opera Digest Award Nomination, Outstanding Female Newcomer (1994)
Soap Opera Digest Award Nomination, Hottest Soap Couple (with Maurice Berna, 1995)
Soap Opera Digest Award Winner, Hottest Female Star (1997)
Soap Opera Digest Award Winner, Outstanding Lead Actress (1998)
People Magazine Named one of the magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" (1995)
PLACE OF BIRTH: Palm Desert, California
DATE OF BIRTH: October 15, 1969
HEIGHT: 5'4"
HAIR: Dark Brown
EYES: Brown
CHILDREN: Son, Kassius Lijah Marcil-Green [Mar 30, 2002; with Brian Austin Green]
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Carmine Giovinazzo [Jul 11, 2010]
News Archives: Marcil rumored to return for Rademacher's exit. [Aug 14, 2000]
News Archives: Marcil flattered by rumors of her return. [Dec 11, 2000]
News Archives: Marcil lands role on NYPD Blue. [Aug 27, 2001]
News Archives: Reports say Marcil is pregnant. [Oct 22, 2001]
News Archives: Marcil denies engagement, return to GH. [Nov 12, 2001]
News Archives: Marcil will return to GH for short-term stint. [Jun 1, 2002]
News Archives: Marcil to leave GH over contract dispute. [Jan 27, 2003]
News Archives: Marcil, others rumored to be returning to GH. [Apr 12, 2004]
News Archives: Marcil's primetime show's renewal foils Brenda plans. [Mar 5, 2007]
News Archives: Talks fall through, Marcil will not return to GH right now. [Oct 13, 2008]
News Archives: GH confirms it's in talks with Vanessa Marcil about a return. [Jan 4, 2010]
News Archives: GH's head writer implies Marcil return is imminent. [Apr 26, 2010]
News Archives: It's official: Marcil to return to GH in August. [Jun 7, 2010]
News Archives: Marcil's return prompts ABC to begin airing classic episodes. [Jun 7, 2010]
News Archives: VIDEO: Marcil talks to Soap Central about her GH return. [Sep 28, 2010]
News Archives: Marcil Giovinazzo addresses pregnancy rumors. [Dec 23, 2010]
News Archives: Vanessa Marcil, husband divorcing after two years of marriage. [Aug 23, 2012]
News Archives: Lawsuit against Marcil tossed out of court. [Oct 25, 2012]
News Archives: Rumors have Marcil headed back to Port Charles. [May 12, 2014]
News Archives: Marcil to star in Hallmark Channel film. [Jul 11, 2014]
News Archive: Popular GH star Vanessa Marcil involved in serious car accident [Feb 29, 2016]
News Archive: Vanessa Marcil to appear in Hallmark movie [Jun 19, 2016]
News Archive: POP TV's Queens of Drama cancelled after just one season [Aug 2, 2016]
News Archive: Is Vanessa Marcil headed back to General Hospital? [Nov 24, 2016]
News Archive: GH's Vanessa Marcil shares emotional tribute to Maurice Benard [Sep 22, 2017]
News Archive: GH alum Vanessa Marcil has "big new announcement" -- is she returning to soaps?! [Oct 14, 2017]
News Archive: GH alum Vanessa Marcil is "mad happy" over baby news [Nov 15, 2017]
News Archive: It's a girl for GH star Vanessa Marcil [Jan 11, 2018]
News Archive: Heartbreak for Vanessa Marcil: GH alum suffers miscarriage [Jan 26, 2018]
News Archive: General Hospital alum Suzanne Whang dies of breast cancer [Sep 24, 2019]
News Archive: Maurice Benard says bringing Vanessa Marcil back to General Hospital is a "no-brainer" [Jun 5, 2020]
News Archive: Did a tweet by Vanessa Marcil reveal she's returning to General Hospital? [Aug 6, 2020]
News Archive: General Hospital's Vanessa Marcil says her fave Sonny and Brenda scenes are "still coming!" [Feb 22, 2021]
News Archive: Maurice Benard comments on Vanessa Marcil General Hospital rumors: "We are working on something, but..." [Jun 22, 2021]
News Archive: General Hospital's Sonny and Brenda reunite: How you can see it happen [Apr 18, 2024]
