Talisa Soto Biography

Talisa Soto is an American former model and actress who was born in Brooklyn, New York City on March 27, 1967. She grew up in Northampton, Massachusetts, as the youngest of four children.
Soto began her modeling career at age 15 when she signed with Click Model Management and started appearing in magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Glamour, as well as advertising campaigns for brands such as Calvin Klein, Cartier, Versace and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Talisa Soto made her acting debut in the 1988 film Spike of Bensonhurst, playing the role of India. She went on to play Bond girl Lupe Lamora in the James Bond film Licence to Kill, and Kitana in the Mortal Kombat franchise.
Talisa Soto appeared in over 20 films, including The Mambo Kings, Don Juan DeMarco, Vampirella, and Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever. Her last part was an uncredited role in the 2013 movie Elysium. In addition to film, she made two guest appearances on the TV series C-16: FBI and starred as Cassie in comedy western TV series Harts of the West from 1993-94.
Talisa Soto has received recognition for her acting abilities. In 1989, she won the Female Star of Tomorrow award at the ShoWest Convention. Thirteen years later, in 2002, she was nominated for an ALMA Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
Talis Soto has been married twice, previously to actor Costas Mandylor, but the couple divorced in 2000. In 2002, she married actor Benjamin Bratt, with whom she has two children. She retired from acting after her marriage to Bratt.