Aimee Sandimés Garcia López de Ordóñez[1] (born November 28, 1978)[2] is an American actress and writer. She is known for her television roles as Veronica Palmero on the ABC sitcom George Lopez, Yvonne Sanchez on the CBS period drama Vegas, Jamie Batista on the Showtime drama Dexter and Ella Lopez on the Fox/Netflix drama Lucifer.

Aimee Garcia
Garcia in 2013
Born
Aimee Sandimés Garcia López de Ordóñez[1]

(1978-11-28) November 28, 1978 (age 45)
Alma materNorthwestern University (BA)
OccupationActress
Years active1996–present

Early life

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Aimee Garcia was born in Chicago, Illinois.[3] Her mother, Eloisa, is from Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico, and graduated from Northwestern University's dental school; her father, Hector, is from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was in the U.S. Armed Forces.[3][4] Garcia started acting in commercials as a child, and participated in theater at seven years old.[4][5] She grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, where she attended Fenwick High School graduating in 1996.[3][4][6] While in school, she took acting classes at Piven Theatre Workshop.[5] She appeared in local plays and musicals during her time at Northwestern University, where she triple majored in economics, journalism, and French.[4] After graduating, she quit acting for a year and did finance work for a mutual fund analyst in Brooklyn, New York.[4] Unsatisfied with the job, she moved to Los Angeles, California, around 2002 to pursue acting as her career.[4]

Career

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She portrayed Maria on The WB's Greetings from Tucson, and appeared in the unaired pilot episode of Global Frequency. She had a role in the Disney Channel original movie Cadet Kelly (2002), and co-starred, as Lydia, alongside Anthony Anderson in The WB sitcom All About the Andersons. In 2006, she began appearing on the series George Lopez, playing Lopez's niece.

Garcia starred alongside Jessica Simpson in the comedy-drama Major Movie Star (2008). She also played a supporting role in the movie D-War (2007) and narrated the Adam Sandler film Spanglish (2004).

From 2009 to 2010, she was in the cast of the Peter Berg NBC medical drama Trauma, as EMT helicopter pilot Marisa Benez.

Garcia spent three years on Showtime's Dexter as Jamie Batista, for which she was nominated for a SAG Award for Best Ensemble in Dramatic Television Series.[7]

She played Dr. Jae Kim in MGM's reboot film, RoboCop (2014).[8]

In 2016, Garcia was added to the main cast for the second season of the Fox television series Lucifer, playing LAPD forensic scientist Ella Lopez.[9] In 2019, Garcia starred in the independent film El Chicano, receiving praise from The Hollywood Reporter for her performance's "vivid impression".[10]

In 2019, Garcia formed a writing partnership with former professional wrestler AJ Mendez. Their first project was the comic book series GLOW vs. The Babyface, based on the television series GLOW; the first of four issues was published by IDW Publishing in November 2019.[11] In 2020, they created the production company Scrappy Heart Productions, dedicated to elevating diverse voices through storytelling.[12] They went on to co-write the Dungeons & Dragons four-issue limited series At the Spine of the World; the first issue was published by IDW in November 2020.[13][14] Alongside John Swetman, they co-wrote the screenplay for the 2022 Netflix film Blade of the 47 Ronin.[15][16]

From 2021 to 2023, she voiced Alex Gonzalez in the DreamWorks Peacock animated series Dragons: The Nine Realms.

Personal life

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Garcia resides in Los Angeles, California.[4]

On May 4, 2021, the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League announced that Garcia had joined the women's soccer team's ownership group.[17][18][19][20]

Filmography

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Garcia in 2014

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 The Homecoming Jodi
2001 Betaville Ruby Derain (young)
2002 The Good Girl Nurse
2003 Boys Life 4: Four Play Caitlan Segment: "L.T.R."
2004 D.E.B.S. Maria
Chicago Boricua Lola
Spanglish Cristina Moreno / Narrator Voice role
2005 A Lot Like Love Nicole
Cruel World Gina
Dirty Rita
2006 The Alibi Operator #1
Mercy Street Alicia Johnson
2007 Graduation Suzy Winters
D-War Brandy
Dead Tone Jody Walters
2008 Universal Signs Trish
Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous Private Vicky Castillo
2009 Shrink Check out Girl
B-Girl Rosie
2011 Convincing Clooney Amy
Go for It! Carmen Salgado
2014 RoboCop Jae Kim
2016 Sister Cities Sarah
2018 What They Had Dr. Zoe
Saint Judy Celi
2019 El Chicano Vanessa
The Addams Family Denise Voice role
2021 Dear Evan Hansen Librarian
2022 Murder at Yellowstone City Isabel Santos
Blade of the 47 Ronin Co-written with John Swetman and AJ Mendez[16]
Christmas With You Angelina
2023 The Cases of Mystery Lane Birdie Case

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1999 ER Leanne Lawler Episode: "Truth & Consequences"
2001 Resurrection Blvd. Sylvia Episode: "La Partida"
The Agency Motel Housekeeper 2 episodes
V.I.P. Receptionist Episode: "The Uncle from V.A.L."
2002 Cadet Kelly Gloria Disney Channel Original Movie
Angel Cynthia York Episode: "Birthday"
American Family Young Nina Recurring role, 5 episodes
2002 MDs Gina Willis Episode: "Time of Death"
2002–2003 Greetings from Tucson Maria Tiant Main role
2003–2004 All About the Andersons Lydia Serrano Main role
2004 Las Vegas Lizzie Posner Episode: "Nevada State"
2005 CSI: NY Rhonda Chavez Episode: "City of the Dolls"
2006 Lovespring International Sparkles Episode: "Homeless Rockstar"
2006–2007 George Lopez Veronica Palmero Recurring role (season 5); main role (season 6)
2007 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Melissa Gentry Episode: "Big Shots"
Standoff Tina Markovich Episode: "Severance"
2008 Supernatural Nancy Fitzgerald Episode: "Jus in Bello"
My Boys Amy Episode: "Take My Work Wife... Please"
CSI: Miami Andrea Rinell Episode: "Won't Get Fueled Again"
2009 Gary Unmarried Anna Episode: "Gary and Dennis' Sister"
Bones Jennifer Keating Episode: "The Science in the Physicist"
Family Guy Nicole Episode: "Brian's Got a Brand New Bag"
2009–2010 Trauma Marisa Benez Main role
2010 Beach Lane Holly
2011 Off the Map Alma Recurring role, 5 episodes
Love Bites Steffi Episode: "Boys to Men"
Hawaii Five-0 Karla Episode: "Pahele"
2011–2013 Dexter Jamie Batista Recurring role (seasons 6–7); main role (season 8)
2012–2013 Vegas Yvonne Sanchez Recurring role, 14 episodes
Motorcity Tennie Voice role; 3 episodes
2014 About a Boy Stacy Episode: "About an Angry Ex"
2015 Impastor Leeane 2 episodes
2016 Rush Hour Didi Diaz Main role
2016–2021 Lucifer Ella Lopez Main role (seasons 2–6)
2017 Family Guy Isabella Episode: "Dearly Deported"
2021 M.O.D.O.K. Jodie Main role
2021 Holiday in Santa Fe Magdalena Ortega [21]
2021–2023 DreamWorks Dragons: The Nine Realms Alex Gonzalez (voice) Main role
2022 Woke Laura Recurring role (season 2)

Bibliography

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  • GLOW vs. The Babyface, with AJ Mendez, illustrated by Hannah Templer (IDW Publishing, June 2020, ISBN 978-1684056309)
  • Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World, with AJ Mendez, illustrated by Martin Coccolo and Katrina Mae Hao (IDW Publishing, July 2021, ISBN 978-1-68405-791-7)
  • Day of the Dead Girl, with AJ Mendez, illustrated by Belén Culebras (Magma Comix, October 2024)[22]

Accolades

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2007 ALMA Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress – Television Series, Mini-Series, or TV Movie George Lopez Nominated [23]
2007 Imagen Awards Best Supporting Actress – Television George Lopez Nominated [24]
2012 Screen Actors Guild Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Dexter Nominated [7]
2013 ALMA Awards Special Achievement in Television (shared with Lauren Vélez and David Zayas) Dexter Won [25]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Lucifer Reunion Special-Get Read For Season 4:Netflix". Netflix (Youtube). May 6, 2019. Event occurs at 1:10. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Rose, Mike (November 28, 2023). "Famous birthdays list for November 28, 2023 includes celebrities Jon Stewart, Alfonso Cuaron". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Nunn, Jerry (November 23, 2011). "Interview: Aimee Garcia". Gozamos.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Coughlin, Joe (December 18, 2016). "'Chicago always lives in my heart' — Aimee Garcia". Chicagoly. Archived from the original on December 24, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "In character: Aimee Garcia". Chicago Splash. August 5, 2013. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  6. ^ Swartz, Tracy (April 29, 2019). "Chicago-area native Aimee Garcia on her new film 'El Chicano' and Latinx representation in movies". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Complete List of 2012 SAG Award Winners and Nominees". Reuters. January 29, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  8. ^ Kit, Borys (September 17, 2012). "'Dexter' Actress Joins MGM's 'Robocop' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  9. ^ Mason, Charlie (June 23, 2016). "Lucifer Adds Aimee Garcia for Season 2". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  10. ^ Scheck, Frank (May 1, 2019). "'El Chicano': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  11. ^ McMillan, Graeme (August 19, 2019). "'GLOW' Comic Returns With Actor/Wrestler Tag-Team Writing Duo". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  12. ^ Donnelly, Matt (July 23, 2020). "'Glow' Comic Authors Aimee Garcia, AJ Mendez Launch Scrappy Heart Productions". Variety. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  13. ^ Spry, Jeff (November 9, 2020). "Endless winter strikes Icewind Dale in IDW's new Dungeons & Dragons miniseries". Syfy Wire. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  14. ^ Dominguez, Noah (June 19, 2020). "Aimee Garcia, Former Wrestler AJ Lee Tag Team on Dungeons & Dragons Comic". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  15. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 20, 2021). "'47 Ronin' Sequel Sets 'Lucifer's Aimee Garcia & NYT Bestselling Author AJ Mendez As Scribes". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Frater, Patrick (December 17, 2021). "Universal's '47 Ronin' Gets a Facelift With Female-Skewing 'Blade' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  17. ^ "Chicago Red Stars Announce Expanded Ownership Group" (Press release). Chicago Red Stars. May 4, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  18. ^ "Ownership Group". Chicago Red Stars. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  19. ^ Watkins, Claire (May 4, 2021). "Red Stars see new investment as opportunity to change pro sports lexicon". The Equalizer. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  20. ^ "Luminaries buy into Red Stars". Chicago Sun-Times. May 5, 2021. p. 44.
  21. ^ Wang, K.L. Connie (December 7, 2021). "Feliz Navidad! Find Out All About Mario Lopez's New Lifetime Christmas Movie, Holiday in Santa Fe". Parade. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  22. ^ Tardive, Ambrose (July 19, 2024). "Exclusive: New Horror Series Day of the Dead Girl Celebrates Mexican Heritage With A 'Morbid, Magical Mystery'". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  23. ^ "2007 ALMA Award Nominees". ALMA Awards. Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  24. ^ Abbott, Denise (July 26, 2007). "Imagen noms celebrate Latino portrayals". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  25. ^ "Honorees & nominees". ALMA Awards. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
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