Alexa Ellesse Vega (born August 27, 1988) is a Colombian American actress and singer. She is known for portraying Carmen Cortez in the Spy Kids trilogy, as well as for a variety of film appearances, including her roles in Sleepover, Odd Girl Out, Walkout and Remember the Daze.Alexa Ellesse Vega (born August 27, 1988) is a Colombian American actress and singer. She is known for portraying Carmen Cortez in the Spy Kids trilogy, as well as for a variety of film appearances, including her roles in Sleepover, Odd Girl Out, Walkout and Remember the Daze.

Personal life

Vega was born in Miami, Florida; to a Colombian father and an American mother. Her sisters are actress Makenzie Vega (Saw & Sin City) and Krizia Vega (b. July 1, 1990). She has two half-sisters named Margaux Vega (b. December 25, 1981) and Greylin James (b. September 22, 2000), as well as a half-brother named Jet James (b. October 4, 2005). Vega lived in Florida until she was four years old when she moved with her family to California. She now lives in Los Angeles with her mother, Gina Rue (a model), stepfather Eric James, brother, and sisters. She enjoys freshwater fishing, can speak Spanish fluently, and is an experienced gymnast.

Career

Film & television

Vega made her first movie appearance in Little Giants, starring as the 6 year old daughter of Ed O'Neill. In 1996, Vega starred as young Jo Harding in Twister, playing Helen Hunt's character as a young girl, in the scene where the twister claims her father. She guest-starred in numerous television shows and films, including ER, Follow the Stars Home, and The Bernie Mac Show. She became known worldwide in 2001 for her role as Carmen Cortez in the Spy Kids. The first Spy Kids movie was a huge success, and subsequently two sequels, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over were filmed. During the shooting of the three films, she performed most of her stunts.

In 2003, she was named one of that year's hottest teen celebrities in Vanity Fair. In 2004, Vega finished filming two films: Sleepover and State's Evidence, and in the following year starred in a made-for-television drama entitled Odd Girl Out. She also filmed for another made-for-TV movie, Walkout. In June 2006, she finished filming Remember the Daze, scheduled to come out in 2007.

She finished filming Repo! the Genetic Opera, which is due out early this year. Vega has also been confirmed as the lead role in Helix (film), written and directed by Aram Rappaport, which began filming in Chicago in March 2008.

Music

She recorded three songs for the Spy Kids soundtracks (Isle of Dreams, Game Over, and Heart Drive) in which she starred. She released her debut single, "Isle of Dreams," to coincide with the release of the second film. She also released, "Game Over," for the third film. Another song, "Heart Drive," featuring Bobby Edner charted around that same time but wasn't released as a single.

She also has recorded songs for the movie Repo! The Genetic Opera which is to be released this year.

Broadway

She made her Broadway debut in the musical Hairspray in the role of Penny Pingleton, replacing Diana DeGarmo. She performed on Broadway until 5 August, 2007.