Dania Ramirez
A Dominican actress who broke ground in Hollywood, moving from fierce mutant warriors to modern-day fairy tale heroines with determined grace.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Dominican actress·Birthday: November 8·Generation X
Biography
Dania Ramirez's path to the screen is a story of ambition meeting opportunity. Moving from the Dominican Republic to New York City as a child, she pursued acting with a focus that landed her early roles in independent films and television. Her breakthrough came not with a whisper, but with the super-powered stomp of Callisto in 'X-Men: The Last Stand,' establishing her as a presence capable of formidable intensity. She deftly navigated genre, bringing depth to the mysterious Maya Herrera on 'Heroes' and a grounded resilience to Rosie, the central figure in 'Devious Maids,' a show notable for its Latina-led cast. Her role as a street-smart Cinderella in 'Once Upon a Time' reimagined a classic character for a new generation, showcasing her ability to anchor a series with both strength and vulnerability.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Dania was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Dania Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Dania's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played a series regular role as Rosie Falta on 'Devious Maids,' a show that featured an ensemble cast of Latina actresses in lead roles.
- Portrayed the iconic mutant Callisto in the major blockbuster film 'X-Men: The Last Stand.'
- Starred as a modern, tough version of Cinderella in the seventh season of ABC's 'Once Upon a Time.'
- Appeared in the final season of the seminal HBO drama 'The Sopranos' as Blanca, the girlfriend of A.J. Soprano.
Did You Know?
She is married to director and producer Bev Land.
She gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, in 2018.
She is a co-founder of the production company Take Fountain with her husband.
She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
“I moved to New York with a suitcase and a plan to tell stories.”
