Nadine Velazquez was born on November 20, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Of Puerto Rican descent, she was raised in Chicago and developed an early interest in the performing arts. She attended Notre Dame High School for Girls and later graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in marketing. One year after completing her studies, Velazquez began her professional career in the entertainment industry.

Career in Acting and Modeling

Velazquez is best known as an American actress and model with a versatile career spanning television and film. She made her on-screen debut in a McDonald’s commercial before landing the recurring role of Maricruz Delgado on the Fox series Prison Break. Shortly thereafter, she gained broader recognition for her portrayal of Catalina Aruca on the NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl.

Her film debut came in 2007 when she starred alongside Jet Li and Jason Statham in the action film War. She also appeared in the television movie Husband for Hire and was featured on Maxim magazine’s Hot 100 list, ranking at #39. Velazquez expanded her public presence by serving as a judge at the 2008 Miss Universe pageant and co-hosting the 2009 Miss USA pageant.

In 2011, she joined the cast of ABC's remake of Charlie's Angels, playing the role of Gloria Martinez. She later played a flight attendant in the critically acclaimed film Flight (2012) starring Denzel Washington. Throughout her career, she has continued to act in both television and film, solidifying her position in the industry for over a decade.