Alexa Vega Biography
Alexa Ellesse Vega (born August 27, 1988) is an American actress, singer and pianist. She is best known for playing Carmen Cortez in the Spy Kids film series and Shilo Wallace in the movie Repo! the Genetic Opera. In 2009, she starred as the title character Ruby Gallagher in the ABC Family series Ruby & The Rockits.
Early life
Vega was born in Miami, Florida. Her father is Colombian and her mother, Gina Rue, is an American former model. Alexa has six siblings: paternal half-sister Margaux Vega (b.1981), sister Krizia Vega (b.1990), sister Makenzie Vega (b.1994; starred in Saw and Sin City), maternal half-sister Greylin James (b.2000), maternal half-brother Jet James (b.2005), and maternal half-brother Cruz Hudson Rue (b.2009). She moved with her family to California when she was four years old. She attended Notre Dame Catholic High School.
Vega was born in Miami, Florida. Her father is Colombian and her mother, Gina Rue, is an American former model. Alexa has six siblings: paternal half-sister Margaux Vega (b.1981), sister Krizia Vega (b.1990), sister Makenzie Vega (b.1994; starred in Saw and Sin City), maternal half-sister Greylin James (b.2000), maternal half-brother Jet James (b.2005), and maternal half-brother Cruz Hudson Rue (b.2009). She moved with her family to California when she was four years old. She attended Notre Dame Catholic High School.
Acting
Vega made her first movie appearance in Little Giants, starring as the six-year-old daughter of Ed O'Neill. In 1996, Vega starred as young Jo Harding in Twister. She guest-starred in numerous television shows and films, including ER, Follow the Stars Home, Ghost Whisperer, and The Bernie Mac Show. She became known worldwide in 2001 for her role as Carmen Cortez in Spy Kids. The first Spy Kids movie was a huge success, and subsequently two sequels, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over were filmed. During the shooting of the three films, she performed most of her own stunts. Vega reprised the role in the 2011 sequel, Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World.
In 2003, she was named one of that year's hottest teen celebrities in Vanity Fair. In 2004, Vega finished filming two movies: Sleepover and State's Evidence, and in the following year starred in a made-for-television drama entitled Odd Girl Out as a victim of cyber-bullying. She also filmed for another made-for-TV movie, Walkout. In June 2006, she finished filming Remember the Daze, which came out to limited theaters in April 2007. She also finished filming Repo! the Genetic Opera, which was released in 2008. Vega has also been confirmed as the lead role in Helix, written and directed by Aram Rappaport, which began filming in Chicago in March 2008. Vega was originally cast in Robert Rodriguez's Shorts, however, due to her being in Australia for the filming of Broken Hill, she had to be recast. She was replaced by Kat Dennings.
In 2009, she played Ruby Gallagher on the ABC Family television sitcom Ruby & The Rockits, which also starred Patrick & David Cassidy. The series was not renewed for a second season.
Vega made her Broadway debut as Penny Pingleton in Hairspray in 2007.
Vega made her first movie appearance in Little Giants, starring as the six-year-old daughter of Ed O'Neill. In 1996, Vega starred as young Jo Harding in Twister. She guest-starred in numerous television shows and films, including ER, Follow the Stars Home, Ghost Whisperer, and The Bernie Mac Show. She became known worldwide in 2001 for her role as Carmen Cortez in Spy Kids. The first Spy Kids movie was a huge success, and subsequently two sequels, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over were filmed. During the shooting of the three films, she performed most of her own stunts. Vega reprised the role in the 2011 sequel, Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World.
In 2003, she was named one of that year's hottest teen celebrities in Vanity Fair. In 2004, Vega finished filming two movies: Sleepover and State's Evidence, and in the following year starred in a made-for-television drama entitled Odd Girl Out as a victim of cyber-bullying. She also filmed for another made-for-TV movie, Walkout. In June 2006, she finished filming Remember the Daze, which came out to limited theaters in April 2007. She also finished filming Repo! the Genetic Opera, which was released in 2008. Vega has also been confirmed as the lead role in Helix, written and directed by Aram Rappaport, which began filming in Chicago in March 2008. Vega was originally cast in Robert Rodriguez's Shorts, however, due to her being in Australia for the filming of Broken Hill, she had to be recast. She was replaced by Kat Dennings.
In 2009, she played Ruby Gallagher on the ABC Family television sitcom Ruby & The Rockits, which also starred Patrick & David Cassidy. The series was not renewed for a second season.
Vega made her Broadway debut as Penny Pingleton in Hairspray in 2007.
Personal life
Vega enjoys freshwater fishing, can speak Spanish fluently, is an experienced gymnast, and describes herself as a Christian. Vega was married on October 10, 2010 to producer Sean Covel, in a ceremony held in his hometown of Lead, South Dakota. She wore an Ian Stuart gown and was walked down the aisle by Robert Rodriguez.
Vega enjoys freshwater fishing, can speak Spanish fluently, is an experienced gymnast, and describes herself as a Christian. Vega was married on October 10, 2010 to producer Sean Covel, in a ceremony held in his hometown of Lead, South Dakota. She wore an Ian Stuart gown and was walked down the aisle by Robert Rodriguez.
