Kirsten Vangsness Biography

Kirsten Simone Vangsness is an American actress and playwright who came into the limelight after appearing as ‘Penelope Garcia’ in the police procedural crime drama television series ‘Criminal Minds’. She has also appeared in its two spin-off shows ‘Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior’ and ‘Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.’ Kirsten Vangsness has appeared in several other television shows as well. While she is primarily a TV actress, she has also done a few small roles in films since making her debut in the show business in 1998. Her notable works in the film industry include her roles in ‘In My Sleep’, ‘The Chicago 8’, and ‘Kill Me, Deadly’. As a writer, she has contributed articles to the ‘Los Angeles Times.’ Also a playwright, she co-wrote three episodes of ‘Criminal Minds.’ She is an animal lover and is especially fond of cats. She often rescues and rehabilitates injured and abandoned cats.