Alexa Penavega
About
Biography
Biography
Born in Miami, FL, Alexa PenaVega spent her very early childhood on her father's ranch in Ocala, FL. At the age of 4, PenaVega's family relocated to California. PenaVega was a child actress, featured in movies like "Twister" (1996), and in a number of television series, like "Evening Shade" (CBS 1990-94), "ER" (NBC 1994-2009), "Chicago Hope" (CBS 1994-2000) and "Life's Work" (ABC 1996-97). In 2001 PenaVega was cast as Carmen Cortez in "Spy Kids" (2001), a children's movie about the two children of a pair of secret agents, who must save their parents from danger. The film was directed by Robert Rodriguez, and co-starred Daryl Sabara, Antonio Banderas, and Carla Gugino. The film did so well that a sequel was made the very next year, "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams" (2002). Critical reception for that second film was so positive that a third movie was planned, "Spy Kids 3: Game Over" (2003). Following her work in the Spy Kids franchise, PenaVega appeared in several TV movies including "Odd Girl Out" (2005), "Walkout" (2006) and various other television and film projects. In 2015 it was announced that PenaVega would compete on the 21st season of the dance competition show "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC 2005- ). Her husband Carlos PenaVega announced that he would also compete.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1993
First TV role, playing Emily Newton on the CBS series "Evening Shade"
1994
Made feature debut portraying Ed O'Neill's perfect daughter in "Little Giants"
1996
Portrayed the younger version of Helen Hunt's character in the feature "Twister"
1996
Cast in the ABC comedy series "Life's Work"
1999
Played Michelle Pfeiffer's daughter in "Deep End of The Ocean"
2001
Landed breakthrough role as Carmen Cortez in Robert Rodriguez's "Spy Kids"
2002
Re-teamed with Rodriguez for the sequel "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams"
2003
Reprised her role as Carmen for "Spy Kids 3D: Game Over"
2004
Starred in the teen comedy "Sleepover"
2005
Played a victim of cyber-bullying in the Lifetime movie "Odd Girl Out"
2006
Co-starred in the HBO movie "Walkout," based on a true story of the 1968 East L.A. walkouts
2007
Made her Broadway debut in "Hairspray"
2008
Played Shilo Wallace in the cult classic "Repo! the Genetic Opera"
2009
Played Ruby Gallagher on the ABC Family sitcom "Ruby & The Rockits"
2011
Once again directed by Robert Rodriguez in "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World"
2015
Competed on "Dancing with the Stars"
Family
