Charisma Carpenter

Charisma Carpenter (born July 23 1970) is an American actress from the United States. She was Cordelia Chase in the supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-1999) and its spin-off series Angel (1999-2004). Also, she was a character in Charmed (2004) as well as Kendall Casablanca's (2005-2006), Rebecca Sewell (2012-2013) and Lacy (2010-2012) Carpenter was born in Las Vegas. Carpenter is of Spanish, French, and German heritage (from her maternal grandfather). Carpenter was a student at Bishop Gorman High School located in Las Vegas. She was also a member of a music and dance group that performed in the Las Vegas Valley. Carpenter moved with her family to Rosario Beach in Baja California, Mexico, at age 15. She went to Bonita Vista High School and Chula Vista School of the Creative and Performing Arts. Carpenter took a trip to Europe after her graduation. She returned to San Diego and worked in the video store as an aerobics instructor, property management as well as a clerk. She also was a cheerleader with San Diego Chargers football in 1991. In 1992, she moved to Los Angeles.While swimming in San Diego in 1991, she and two male friends were assaulted by Henry Hubbard Jr., the former San Diego police officer and serial rapist who attempted to subdue them by threatening them with guns. During the struggle the two friends as well as Hubbard were shot, causing him to flee the scene. Both were able to escape the assault. Hubbard was arrested and convicted, and sentenced to 56-years in prison for a number of rapes. Carpenter brought Hubbard's police-issue flashlight from the beach, that he had abandoned at the scene and the flashlight became the most important evidence used against Hubbard.