Donnabella Mortel is a multifaceted American actress and producer, hailing from Seattle, Washington, where she was born and raised by immigrant parents alongside her older sister, younger brother, and a large extended family.
From a tender age, Mortel was drawn to the world of entertainment, participating in school musicals, dance performances, and modeling. She further showcased her talents as the cheerleading and dance team captain for Seattle Preparatory School, where she excelled academically, and then continued her cheerleading duties through her years at Seattle University.
Mortel's academic prowess was exceptional, as she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, specializing in Forensic Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. She was honored with the prestigious Kelliher Award for achieving the highest cumulative GPA in her graduating department.
Upon graduation, Mortel began her professional career as a dance team member for the NBA with the Seattle SuperSonics. However, she soon shifted her focus to her acting career and producing projects, including "Retail" and "Specious" with Creative Geniusess.
Throughout her career, Mortel has landed dynamic roles in hit shows such as "How to Get Away with Murder" on ABC, "Jane the Virgin" on CW, and CBS's "NCIS." Additionally, her voice can be heard narrating "This Shattered World" by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, as well as portions of "Illuminae" by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, which won the 2016 Audi Award for a multi-voiced performance.