Charisma Carpenter

Charisma Carpenter (born July 23 1970) is an American actress. She was Cordelia Chase in the supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-1999) and its spin-off series Angel (1999-2004). She also appeared as Kyra in Charmed (2004) and as Kendall Casablanca's character on Veronica Mars (2005-2006), Rebecca Sewell in The Lying Game (2012-2013), and Lacy in The Expendables film series (2010-2012). Carpenter was born in Las Vegas (Nevada), the daughter of Christine Carpenter, who worked in a bird sanctuary, as well as Don Carpenter, an entrepreneur. Carpenter is of Spanish (from her maternal grandfather), French, and German descent. Carpenter attended Bishop Gorman High school in Las Vegas. She was also a member of a music and dance troupe that performed in the Las Vegas Valley. Carpenter moved with her family to Rosario Beach in Baja California, Mexico, at age 15 years old. She was a student at Bonita Vista High School and Chula Vista School of the Creative and Performing Arts. Carpenter went on a trip to Europe after graduating. Carpenter returned to San Diego and worked in the video store as an aerobics instructor, property management as well as a clerk. She was a cheerleader for San Diego Chargers football in 1991. In 1992, she moved to Los Angeles.While swimming in San Diego in 1991, she and two male colleagues were assaulted by Henry Hubbard Jr., the former San Diego police officer and serial rapist, who tried to subdue them using a gun. Both Hubbard Jr. and her companions were wounded in the fight. Both were able to escape. Hubbard was convicted and sentenced to 56 years imprisonment for a series rapes, thefts. Carpenter removed Hubbard's flashlight which was a police-issue flashlight, away from the beach. The flashlight was a key element of evidence against Hubbard.