Daniella Pineda
Daniella Pineda: Bold Roles & Bright Presence
Daniella Pineda (born February 20, 1987, in Oakland, California) is an American actress, comedian, and writer. She’s known for her memorable parts in The Originals, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and its sequel, and Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop — a standout in today’s entertainment world.
Beginnings & Online Breakthrough
Daniella’s journey into acting took a creative route—she first gained attention through sketch comedy and fashion videos for platforms like CollegeHumor and YouTube between 2010 and 2011. Her on-screen career officially kicked off with a role in the indie film Newlyweds (2011) and a guest spot on Men of a Certain Age (2010).
TV Essentials: From The Originals to The Detour
In 2013, Daniella landed the role of Sophie Deveraux in The Vampire Diaries, which launched the spin-off The Originals. She starred in the first season, leaving a mark with her compelling performance.She later joined NBC’s American Odyssey (2015) and played Vanessa Randall on TBS’s The Detour (2016–2019) — a role that showed her comedic range.
Big-Screen Breakthrough: Jurassic World Legacy
2018 was a turning point—Daniella starred as Zia Rodriguez in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, playing a daring veterinarian on a mission to save dinosaurs.She reprised her role in Jurassic World Dominion (2022), though pandemic-related travel restrictions limited her screen time.
Distinctive Roles Beyond the Island
Daniella’s on-screen presence continued with roles like Marina in Mercy Black (2019) and Cassidy in Netflix's What/If (2019).In 2021, she brought to life Faye Valentine in Netflix’s live-action Cowboy Bebop, describing her interpretation as “a smart-ass” with a modern,She later appeared in Plane (2023), expanding her genre repertoire.
Personal Life & Advocacy
Born to Mexican-American roots, Daniella is a proud third-generation Mexican American. She studied sociology and radio journalism at Mills College and even had a fellowship at KALW, where she addressed topics like racism and poverty in the Bay Area.
Beyond her artistic contributions, Daniella actively champions representation for Mexican American actors in Hollywood. She has highlighted the challenges of stereotyping and underrepresentation, even speaking out against casting directors who questioned her authenticity as a Mexican American.
In January 2025, tragedy struck when her home in Altadena, California, was destroyed in the catastrophic Eaton Fire. In a heartfelt moment, she revealed that the only possessions she salvaged were her dog and a laptop—focusing on survival and resilience in the aftermath.
Why She Resonates
Trailblazing Versatility — Seamlessly shifts from sketch comedy to dramatic film and genre TV.
Advocacy Through Art — Uses her platform to discuss social justice, cultural representation, and resilience.
Authentic Voice — Balances polished careers with candid storytelling—from studio sets to climate crises.
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