Jessica Pimentel is an American actress and musician. She is best known for her role as Maria Ruiz on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. She is also the lead singer of the metal band Alekhine's Gun and backing vocalist in the band Brujeria.
Early life Pimentel was born and raised in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Both of her parents, originally from La Romana, Dominican Republic, and immigrated to New York as teenagers. Pimentel was the couple's only child. Her parents divorced when she was six years old, after which she became estranged from her father.
Pimentel graduated from New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she was a music major her first year then auditioned and was accepted into the drama program her second year. She focused on acting more after high school, playing Juliet in a touring production of Romeo and Juliet, and landing small roles in movies and TV shows.
She graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, class of 1999.
Acting career After a series of bit parts, Pimentel played the role of Angelique Domenguez in the 2008 film Pride and Glory. In 2014, she was cast as Floyd in four episodes of Person of Interest.
Pimentel's breakout role came in 2013, when she was cast as Maria Ruiz on the Netflix comedy-drama Orange Is the New Black. Pimentel was credited as a guest star for the first four seasons, before finally being made a part of the regular cast for Season 5.
Music career Pimentel began playing music at the age of two and trained as classical violinist and concert master who has played at Carnegie hall. In her teens she began learning the guitar, electric bass, percussion and keyboards and joined several New York Hardcore bands. She was the bassist for New York heavy metal and hardcore band Desolate from 2010 to 2014.
Since 2010, Pimentel has been the lead vocalist and a recording guitarist for the New York-based death metal band Alekhine's Gun. Pimentel has also recorded several songs with the band Black Heart Sutra, and sings in the Los Angeles and Tijuana-based metal band Brujeria, performing under the name La Bruja Encabronada.
Pimentel is a featured artist for Spector basses,, Gibson (guitar company), Korg and Darkglass and Krank Amps.
Personal life Pimentel has been married to Meshuggah drummer Tomas Haake since 2013 and lives with him in Sweden.Babbel Magazine April 20, 2020, "'Orange is the New Black' Star Jessica Pimentel on Learning Swedish for Love"
Pimentel was raised Christian, but became a practicing Tibetan Buddhist as an adult.
Filmography
Films YearTitleRoleNotes1998The Last Days of DiscoClubgoerUncredited2005RoomYoung MotherUncredited2007Illegal TenderYoung Millie2008Off Jackson AvenueOliviaPride and GloryAngelique Domenguez2012How to Score Your LifeEx-Girlfriend2013Go for SistersLa Mojada2014Death PactVivianTV movieFugly!Caroline2015The Grief of OthersMs. Nuñez2018A Bread FactoryTeresa2023BoundMarta2024HammerLucia
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1995All My ChildrenPine Valley Kid2 episodes199712 Angry ViewersJuror2002Third WatchJosieEpisode: "Falling"2003Law & OrderHookerEpisode: "Under God"2005Law & Order: Special Victims UnitSelma GarciaEpisode: "911"2008Law & Order: Special Victims UnitJoanne SuarezEpisode: "Retro"2009Law & OrderTinaEpisode: "Boy Gone Astray"2010MercyFemale ClerkEpisode: "There Is No SuperwomanLaw & Order: Criminal IntentGabriella BeltenoEpisode: "Disciple"2013–2019Orange Is the New BlackMaria RuizRecurring role (Seasons 1–4), Series regular (Season 5–7) Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2015-2017)2014Casting CallsMary2014–2015Person of InterestFloyd4 episodes2015Law & Order: Special Victims UnitManuela OzunaEpisode: "Institutional Fail"2023Blue BloodsLaura AcostaEpisode: "Lost Ones"2023The Horror of Dolores RoachFlora Frias3 Episodes
Theater YearTitleRoleTheater2026Romeo & JulietEscalusThe Public Theater / Shakespeare in the Park2025Don't Eat The MangosIsmeldaThe Huntington Theater Company2022JasperAndreaYonder Window / Signature Theater2018Surfer GirlGirl Animus Theater Company / The Dirty Blondes2011EnfrascadaYesseniaClubbed Thumb2008Aliens With Extraordinary SkillsLupitaWP Theater2008Romeo & JulietJulietTheaterWorks USA2007The CookElena / RosaSeattle Repertory Theater2007The Clean HouseMathildeWellfeet Harbor Actors Theater2004Anna in the TropicsMarelaAmerican Stage Theater Company2004A Very Old Man with Enormous WingsSpider WomanShakespeare Theater of New Jersey
References
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