Morena Baccarin

Morena Silva de Vaz Setta Baccarin, born on 2 June 1979, is a talented American actress renowned for her diverse roles in film and television. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she has dual citizenship in both the United States and Brazil. Baccarin's mother, Vera Setta, is also an actress, while her father, Fernando Baccarin, is a journalist. Through her father, Morena has Italian heritage, with roots tracing back to the Veneto region.

Morena moved to New York City at the age of seven with her family. She attended Public School 41 and the New York City Lab School for Collaborative Studies. Notably, she was in the same class as actress Claire Danes. Later, she enrolled in the Juilliard School, where she was part of the drama division's Group 29 from 1996 to 2000.

Baccarin made her film debut in the improvised comedy Perfume in 2001, followed by a lead role in Way Off Broadway the same year. She also served as an understudy for Natalie Portman in a Central Park production of The Seagull. Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Inara Serra in the acclaimed sci-fi series Firefly, which aired from 2002 to 2003, and she reprised her role in the companion film Serenity in 2005.

In addition to her work in Firefly, Baccarin voiced Black Canary in the animated series Justice League Unlimited starting in 2005. She took on various guest roles in popular shows such as How I Met Your Mother and The O.C. and played the character Adria in the 10th season of Stargate SG-1.

Morena gained further acclaim for her performance as Jessica Brody in the hit series Homeland from 2011 to 2013, for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2013. Her film credits include roles in Deadpool (2016), where she played Vanessa Carlysle, and its sequel Deadpool 2 (2018). She also starred in the series Gotham as Leslie Thompkins from 2015 to 2019 and appeared in the apocalyptic thriller Greenland (2020).

Morena Baccarin is also known for her activism. In January 2019, she wrote an opinion piece for a major publication, sharing her experiences with the International Rescue Committee while advocating for refugees, particularly those from Venezuela. She expressed concerns over the refugee crisis and has become an advocate for women's rights, inspired by her mother's work in Brazil.

In her personal life, Baccarin married Austin Chick, a film producer, in November 2011. The couple welcomed their son in October 2013, but they divorced in July 2015. Shortly thereafter, she began a relationship with her Gotham co-star Ben McKenzie. The couple got engaged in November 2016 and married on 2 June 2017, which is also Baccarin's birthday. They have two children together.

As of 2023, Baccarin continues to take on various roles in both film and television, showcasing her versatility and charisma in the entertainment industry.