Mystery Unveiled! Who’s the REAL Cote de Pablo?

Cote de Pablo, born Mara José de Pablo Fernández on November 12, 1979, in Santiago, Chile, is a prominent Chilean-American actress and singer. She is the daughter of Francisco de Pablo and Mara Olga Fernández and has two siblings, Andrea and Francisco.

At the age of 10, Cote de Pablo moved to the United States when her mother secured a job at a Spanish-language TV network in Miami. She attended Arvida Middle School and nurtured her passion for musical theater at the New World School of the Arts. To address pronunciation challenges with her given name “María José,” she adopted the nickname “Coté,” a common Chilean nickname for “María José.”

Cote de Pablo began her entertainment career at 15 by co-hosting episodes of “Control” on Univision with Carlos Ponce. After completing her education, she moved to New York City to pursue acting, working as a waitress to support herself.

In 2000, Cote de Pablo appeared in productions such as “The $treet” and “The Education of Max Bickford,” gaining experience in commercials and stage plays. Her breakthrough moment arrived in 2005 when she was cast as Ziva David in the CBS series “NCIS,” earning critical acclaim and establishing herself as a formidable performer.

For her role in “NCIS,” Cote de Pablo received an Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress in Television in 2006 and earned ALMA Award nominations. In 2011, she won the ALMA Award for Favorite Television Actress-Leading Role in Drama.

After eight seasons, Cote de Pablo left “NCIS” in 2013, concluding Ziva David’s storyline in season 11. Initially undisclosed, her departure reasons later included concerns about her character’s direction and script quality.

Despite her character’s apparent demise in the season 13 finale, Cote de Pablo surprised fans with a return in “NCIS” season 16, revealing Ziva’s survival. Beyond “NCIS,” she showcased her talents in various projects, explored singing, and contributed to Roberto Pitre’s Vivo En Vida CD.

In her personal life, she was in a long-term relationship with actor Diego Serrano, but they reportedly separated in June 2015. Cote de Pablo’s career reflects exceptional talent and versatility, solidifying her as a respected figure in the entertainment industry.