Amanda Righetti (born April 4, 1983) is an American actress. She is known for playing Grace Van Pelt on The Mentalist and her roles in Friday the 13th, The O.C. and Colony.
Early life The youngest of eight children, Righetti was born on April 4, 1983, in St. George, Utah, and raised in Nevada, outside Las Vegas. Her father, Alexander Dominic Righetti, is of Italian descent, while her mother, Linda Carol Chisum, is of German, French, and English descent.
Career Righetti started modeling at age 14, then moved to Los Angeles at 18 to start her acting career. After securing a role in the pilot for a proposed series by the name of No Place Like Home, she played a recurring character in the teen drama The O.C., was a regular in the primetime soap opera North Shore, and in late 2005, Righetti starred in Fox's drama series Reunion. Her other credits include a recurring role on K-Ville, guest roles on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Entourage, and a role in the television film Romy and Michele: In the Beginning.
In 2006, Righetti signed on to star as the female lead in horror sequel Return to House on Haunted Hill. The film was released direct-to-video in October 2007. In April 2008, she was cast as the female lead in the slasher film Friday the 13th (2009). Production ended in June 2008 and the film was released in theaters on February 13, 2009. Also that year, Righetti was signed to the CBS series The Mentalist, in the role of Grace Van Pelt. Her 2012 to 2013 pregnancy was not reflected in her character's storyline, during which she was filmed using selective angles and largely limited to desk duty. Righetti left The Mentalist after season six.
In September 2011, Righetti signed with talent agency UTA.
From 2016 to 2017, Righetti played role of Maddie Kenner in Colony.
In 2017, Righetti starred as a divorced novelist in the Hallmark Channel television film Love at the Shore.
Righetti starred in the 2021 holiday romance film Christmas at the Ranch, with Lindsay Wagner, Laur Allen, Archie Kao, and Dia Frampton, playing the character Kate.
In 2024, Righetti played Nelle Reagan, the mother of United States President Ronald Reagan in Sean McNamara's biopic Reagan.
Personal life Righetti married director and writer Jordan Alan on April 29, 2006, on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. They have a son, born in 2013. Righetti filed for divorce in 2017.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1995 Love and Happiness Charlie's Kid Sister 1996 Kiss & Tell Little One 2002 Angel Blade Samantha Goodman2007 Pipeline Jocelyn Also producer Return to House on Haunted Hill Ariel Wolfe Direct to video2008 Matter Stranger Short film; also producer Role Models Isabel2009 Friday the 13th Whitney Miller His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th Herself Documentary film2011 Captain America: The First Avenger S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent The Chateau Meroux Jennifer Wandering Eye Maren Abbott 2012 Shadow of Fear Casey Cooper Also known as Dangerous Attraction 2013 Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th Herself Documentary film 2015 Cats Dancing on Jupiter Josephine Smart Also co-producer 2019 Pastalight Susanna Lenzi Short film 2021 Christmas at the Ranch KateQueer Fish in God's Waiting RoomMistyShort film, Also producer 2023 Far Haven Lilly Rayne 2024 Reagan Nelle ReaganTBARelentless
Television Year Title Role Notes 2001 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Riding Teen Episode: "You've Got Male" 2002 Greg the Bunny Debbie Fishman Episode: "Surprise!" 2003–2005 The O.C. Hailey Nichol Recurring role (seasons 1–2) 2004–2005 North Shore Tessa Lewis Main role 2005 Romy and Michele: In the Beginning Friendly Girl Television film 2005–2006 Reunion Jenna Moretti Main role 2006 Entourage Katrina Episode: "Aquamom"EnemiesKelly CallawayEpisode: "Pilot" 2007 K-Ville A. J. Gossett 3 episodesMarloweJessica ReedeTelevision film 2008–2015 The Mentalist Grace Van Pelt Main role (seasons 1–6), guest (season 7) 2011 Wandering Eye Maron Abbott Television film 2012 Shadow of Fear Casey Cooper Television film2014 Chicago Fire Dr. Holly Whelan Episode: "A Dark Day" Chicago P.D. Dr. Holly Whelan Episode: "8:30 PM" 2016–2017 Colony Maddie Kenner Main role (seasons 1–2) 2017 Love at the ShoreJenna Television film (Hallmark)2020 Deranged Granny Kendall Thompson Television film L.A.'s Finest Beverly Gamble 3 episodes2022Family FriendsSienna Hart 2026 Scarpetta Dorothy Scarpetta (Past) Main role
Video Game Roles YearTitleRoleNotes2006Scarface: The World is YoursFemme Fatale (Voice)
Awards 2009 New York Independent International Film and Video Festival: Best Actress in a Short Film – Amanda Righetti in Matter
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