Vanessa Marcil, born Vanessa Sally Ortiz on October 15, 1968, in Indio, California, is an American former actress best known for her roles on television. She grew up in Indio as the youngest of four children, with her father Pete Ortiz, a self-made millionaire of Mexican descent, and her mother Patricia Marcil, an herbalist of French and Italian ancestry.

From a young age, she exhibited a passion for the performing arts, participating in school plays and local theater productions. Her early exposure to acting ignited a lifelong dedication to the craft, leading her to pursue formal training in theater arts.

Her professional acting career commenced with stage performances, where she honed her craft and gained valuable experience. In 1992, she made her television debut as Brenda Barrett on the soap opera "General Hospital."

Her portrayal of the spirited and complex character garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fan base, establishing her as a prominent figure in daytime television. She garnered three Daytime Emmy Award nominations for her role and won the award in 2003 as Outstanding Supporting Actress.

Vanessa Marcil also appeared in the television series "Beverly Hills, 90210" as Gina Kincaid and "Las Vegas" as Sam Marquez. Her feature film debut came in 1996 with "The Rock," where she appeared opposite Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery.

She also starred in several made-for-television movies, including "To Love, Honor and Deceive" and "The Nanny Express."

Her personal life has been marked by notable relationships. She was married to actor Corey Feldman from 1989 to 1993 and later to actor Carmine Giovinazzo from 2010 to 2013. She has a son, Kassius Lijah Marcil-Green, born in 2002, from her relationship with actor Brian Austin Green.

She is currently engaged to MC Martin, and they have been together since 2015. Vanessa Marcil has received several awards and nominations, including the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2003.