María José de Pablo Fernández, widely known as Cote de Pablo, was born November 12, 1979. Cote de Pablo’s career took off in the early 2000s, but her notable role as Ziva David on the CBS series NCIS solidified her place in the entertainment industry.
Her striking performances and dedication to her craft have earned her considerable acclaim and a net worth estimated at around $6 million.
Early Life
Cote de Pablo was born to Francisco de Pablo and María Olga Fernández. She grew up with a younger sister named Andrea and a brother, Francisco, who works as a DJ.
At age 10, de Pablo moved to Miami, Florida, with her mother, who took a job at a Spanish-language television network. While in Miami, she attended Arvida Middle School and the New World School of the Arts, where she developed an interest in musical theatre.
To address the difficulties people had pronouncing her birth name, she adopted the nickname ‘Cote,’ which was easier for her peers to pronounce.
Education
Cote de Pablo pursued higher education at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There, she studied music and theatre and immersed herself in various theatrical productions.
She participated in plays such as And the World Goes ‘Round, The House of Bernarda Alba, Indiscretions, The Fantasticks, and A Little Night Music. De Pablo graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater, marking the beginning of her professional career in acting.
Career
Cote de Pablo’s career began in the mid-1990s when she co-hosted the Latin-American talk show Control. Her acting career started with roles in The $treet and The Education of Max Bickford.
However, her breakthrough came in 2005 when she was cast as Ziva David on NCIS. Her portrayal of the Israeli Mossad officer turned NCIS agent won her widespread acclaim and several awards, including an ALMA Award in 2011.
Despite leaving the show in 2013, de Pablo’s character remained a fan favorite, leading to her return in 2019 for the show’s 16th season. In addition to NCIS, de Pablo has appeared in films like The 33 and the miniseries The Dovekeepers.
Personal Life
Cote de Pablo has kept her personal life relatively private. She was in a long-term relationship with Ecuadorian actor Diego Serrano from around 2010 until their separation in June 2015.
In recent years, she has disclosed in interviews and podcasts that she is married and has at least one child, though specific details about her family remain closely guarded.
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