Dascha Polanco Biography

Fast Facts

• Was born in the Dominican Republic, but moved to the Bronx as a small child and later moved to Florida with her family
• Named homecoming queen during high school
• Studied acting at Break Into Hollywood Studios in New York City
• Performed the role of Carol in a stage production of David Mamet's Oleanna
• Appeared in Spanish-language television commercials for Old Navy
• Was studying to become a nurse and working at Montefiore Medical Hospital in New York when she auditioned for the widely-acclaimed Netflix series Orange Is the New Black; the role was her first full-time professional acting job
• Featured as a model for the NFL's women's apparel campaign in 2015
• Honored with a Lupe Award at the 16th NALIP Latino Media Awards
• Traveled to Haiti to participate in the United Nations' International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
• Supports the Women's Prison Association