Cote de Pablo built a global fanbase through her iconic portrayal of Mossad officer Ziva David on the CBS procedural hit NCIS. Born María José de Pablo Fernández in Santiago, Chile, she navigated a cross-cultural upbringing, early television work, and formal theatrical training before landing the breakout role that defined her career.
Standing at 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m), the Chilean-American actress balances a private personal life with a steady presence in entertainment. This profile examines her background, professional milestones, physical statistics, and family dynamics without the fluff.
Early Life and Move to the United States
Born on November 12, 1979, in Santiago, Chile, to Francisco de Pablo and María Olga Fernández, she grew up alongside her younger sister, Andrea, and brother, Francisco. Her early childhood in South America shifted dramatically when she was 10 years old. Her mother accepted a job with a Spanish-language television network in Miami, Florida, prompting the family to relocate.
Adapting to a new country presented immediate social hurdles. Upon entering middle school in Miami, she found that peers struggled to pronounce her given first name, María José. This led her to adopt the nickname "Cote," a standard Chilean diminutive for María. Attending Arvida Middle School helped her acclimate, and she soon discovered a passion for the performing arts that redirected her academic path.
Education and Early Television Work
Before pursuing dramatic acting on stage, de Pablo gained early experience in front of the camera. At age 15, she co-hosted the Latin-American talk and magazine show Control alongside entertainment personality Carlos Ponce. This mid-1990s stint exposed her to live television production and built her on-camera confidence.
Eager to refine her craft through formal training, she enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She immersed herself in the school's rigorous drama program, performing in stage productions such as The House of Bernarda Alba and The Fantasticks. She graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama, moving immediately to New York City to pursue theater work. Her early career included minor television appearances and stage productions with the New York City Public Theater, alongside a short-lived role in the Fox legal drama The Jury.
Breakthrough and Rise on NCIS
Her career trajectory changed permanently in 2005 when she auditioned for a new character on the CBS series NCIS. Producers cast her as Ziva David, a hardened, highly trained Israeli Mossad officer joining an elite team of naval criminal investigators.
Her performance brought a sharp intensity and layered vulnerability to the procedural format. She performed many of her own physical stunts during her tenure, which ran as a main cast member from Season 3 through Season 11, earning her an ALMA Award in 2011 along with multiple Imagen Award wins and nominations. Though she stepped away from the series in 2013, her character remained a fixture of fan discussion, leading to special guest appearances and the spin-off series NCIS: Tony & Ziva.
Beyond television dramas, she starred in the biographical survival film The 33 (2015), chronicling the real-life Chilean mining disaster, and expanded her musical talents by recording vocal tracks for various projects.
Physical Statistics and Measurements
Public interest frequently centers on physical statistics, height, and general measurements for television personalities.
- Age: 46 years old (born November 12, 1979).
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m).
- Weight: Approximately 141 lbs (64 kg).
- Build: Slim, maintained through active training regimens and stunt work preparation.
- Hair & Eye Color: Natural black hair and dark brown eyes.
Relationships and Family Life
De Pablo maintains a strict boundary between her public professional work and her private life. She was previously in a long-term relationship with actor Diego Serrano, which began around 2000 and ended in June 2015. Since that time, she has kept details of her romantic life away from tabloid media. In recent years, she has embraced motherhood, balancing family responsibilities with ongoing production and acting commitments.
Her extended family remains geographically split. Her mother resides in Chile, her sister lives in New York, and her father and brother live in the Miami area, while de Pablo primarily bases her life and work in Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cote de Pablo's ethnic background?
She is of Chilean descent, born in Santiago, Chile, and holds dual Chilean and American citizenship.
Why did she leave NCIS initially?
She chose to leave the show during Season 11 for personal reasons, noting later that she felt her character's storyline required a specific direction that wasn't being met at the time, though she maintained positive relationships with the cast and crew.
Does Cote de Pablo speak fluent Spanish?
Yes. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household in Santiago before moving to the United States enabled her to remain completely bilingual in English and Spanish.
Is Cote de Pablo married?
She has never been married. She keeps her personal relationships out of the public eye.
