| Intro | American actress and musician |
| Is |
Actor Musician |
| From | United States of America |
| Type |
Film, TV, Stage & Radio Music |
| Gender | female |
| Birth | 20 September 1982, New York City |
| Age: | 37 years |
Jessica Pimentel (born September 20, 1982) is an American actress and musician. She is best known for her role as Maria Ruiz on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. She is also the lead singer of the heavy metal band Alekhine’s Gun.
Early life
Pimentel was born in Brooklyn, New York. Both of her parents, originally from La Romana, Dominican Republic, immigrated to New York as teenagers. Pimentel was the couple’s only child. Her parents divorced when she was six years old, after which she became estranged from her father.
Pimentel graduated from New York’s High School of Performing Arts, where she played violin. She focused on acting more after high school, playing Juliet in a touring production of Romeo and Juliet, and landing small roles in movies and TV shows.
Acting career
After a series of bit parts, Pimentel played the role of Angelique Domenguez in the 2008 film Pride and Glory. In 2014, she was cast as Floyd in four episodes of Person of Interest.
Pimentel’s breakout role came in 2013, when she was cast as Maria Ruiz on the Netflix comedy-drama Orange Is the New Black. Pimentel was credited as a guest star for the first four seasons, before finally being made a part of the regular cast for Season 5.
Music career
Since 2010, Pimentel has been the lead vocalist for the New York-based heavy metal band Alekhine’s Gun.
Personal life
Pimentel has been dating Meshuggah drummer Tomas Haake since 2013.
Pimentel was raised Christian, but became a practicing Buddhist as an adult.
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Last Days of Disco | Clubgoer | Uncredited |
| 2005 | Room | Young Mother | Uncredited |
| 2007 | Illegal Tender | Young Millie | |
| 2008 | Off Jackson Avenue | Olivia | |
| 2008 | Pride and Glory | Angelique Domenguez | |
| 2012 | How to Score Your Life | Ex-Girlfriend | |
| 2013 | Go for Sisters | La Mojada | |
| 2014 | Death Pact | Vivian | TV movie |
| 2014 | Fugly! | Caroline | |
| 2015 | The Grief of Others | Ms. Nuñez |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | All My Children | Pine Valley Kid | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | 12 Angry Viewers | Juror | |
| 2002 | Third Watch | Josie | Episode: “Falling” |
| 2003 | Law & Order | Hooker | Episode: “Under God” |
| 2005 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Selma Garcia | Episode: “911” |
| 2008 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Joanne Suarez | Episode: “Retro” |
| 2009 | Law & Order | Tina | Episode: “Boy Gone Astray” |
| 2010 | Mercy | Female Clerk | Episode: “There Is No Superwoman |
| 2010 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Gabriella Belteno | Episode: “Disciple” |
| 2013–present | Orange Is the New Black | Maria Ruiz | Recurring role (Seasons 1–4), Series regular (Season 5–present)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2015-2017) |
| 2014 | Casting Calls | Mary | |
| 2014–2015 | Person of Interest | Floyd | 4 episodes |
| 2015 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Manuela Ozuna | Episode: “Institutional Fail” |