Named after an Avon perfume, Charisma Carpenter, 29, was born in Las
Vegas, where she lived until she was fifteen. After a stint in Mexico, her
family eventually moved to a San Diego suburb, where she attended the Chula
Vista High School of the Creative and Performing Arts in San Diego, graduating
in 1988 with an emphasis in classical dance. After high school, she traveled
through Europe, and upon returning, entered junior college in San Diego. To
support herself through school, she worked a variety of jobs, including working
as a waitress, a property manager, a video store clerk, an aerobics instructor,
and a San Diego Chargers Cheerleader. While working as a waitress, she was
discovered by a commercial agent. She soon began her acting career and appeared
in more than 20 commercials, including a Secret antiperspirant commercial that
ran for two years. Her first major role for television was a guest spot on
"Baywatch." Soon after, Aaron Spelling cast her his short-lived series
for NBC, "Malibu Shores," in which she played another not-so-nice
popular girl, Ashley Green. While working on the series, she auditioned for the
role of Buffy for the same-titled series, but they also had her read for
Cordelia. Although she was not prepared at the time, she got the role. Charisma
enjoys being active with ballet, running, horseback riding, rollerblading,
hiking, and rock-climbing, and sky-diving. She also enjoys traveling and
cooking. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her golden retriever.
