Charisma Lee Carpenter was born in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 23, 1970 to Don and Christine Carpenter. She studied classical ballet as a child. After moving and changing high schools often, she attended Chula Vista School of Creative and Performing Arts. After high school, she became a cheerleader for the San Diego Chargers. In 1992, she moved to L.A. and attended classes at Playhouse West, where she appeared in many plays and television commercials. She got small roles in shows like 'Baywatch,' and appeared in the short-lived series 'Malibu Shores.' Later, she landed the role of Cordeila Chase on 'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer' and it's spin-off, 'Angel.' On October 5, 2002, she wed Damian Hardy, and on March 24, 2003, the couple welcomed their son, Donovan Charles Hardy, into the world. The couple divorced on July 3, 2008.