Leslie Bega is a renowned film and television actress, known for her versatility and range in a wide variety of roles.
She first gained recognition for her portrayal of Valentina La Paz on the HBO Emmy Award-winning television series The Sopranos (1999),where she played the girlfriend of Tony Soprano.
Leslie's subsequent role on the CBS Emmy Award-winning show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) showcased her ability to play a diametrically opposite character, Leah.
In addition to her television work, Leslie has also appeared in numerous films, including the independent feature Dating Games People Play (2005),a romantic comedy directed by Stefan Marc, which is set for release in late 2004.
Born in Los Angeles, Leslie spent a significant portion of her childhood in New York. She graduated with honors as her high school class valedictorian from Le Lycee Francais, a prestigious private French school in Los Angeles, after 11 years of study.
Leslie then attended The University of Southern California, where she majored in cinema with a minor in drama. She began her acting career at the age of six in the Broadway play "The Patriots," and went on to star in countless television commercials and episodic television shows.
Throughout her childhood, Leslie honed her skills and established a solid foundation for her future success as an actor. In the late 1980s, she landed a starring role in the long-running top-ten ABC television sitcom Head of the Class (1986),playing the brilliant yet socially awkward Maria Borges.
Leslie's follow-up television series was ABC's C-16: FBI (1997),alongside Eric Roberts, Angie Harmon, and DB Sweeney. She quickly established herself in the Motion Picture arena, sharing the screen with Hollywood stars such as John Travolta, Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, and Anthony Quinn.
Leslie has appeared in 15 motion pictures, including David Lynch's Lost Highway (1997),Get Shorty (1995),directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, and Rob Reiner's The American President (1995).
In addition to her acting career, Leslie is also a trained singer, having spent 19 years studying vocal techniques. She performed a solo singing performance at Lincoln Center in 2001.
Leslie has also been involved in various charitable endeavors, including producing Public Service Announcements for "Women At Risk" with actors Billy Zane and Phil Buckman, as well as "Outreach," educational programs designed for inner city kids.
In her spare time, Leslie is an accomplished gourmet chef, and was previously the Master Chef at the restaurant "RAW" in Santa Monica before leaving to focus on her own dessert and food line.
