Marisol Nichols as Nadya Yassir
Marisol Nichols was born on November 2, 1973, and was brought up by Hungarian and Mexican-American parents in Chicago, Illinois. At the young age of 12, Nichols was introduced to the world of drugs and alcohol, but was able to overcome her addictions when she was 17. Since then, she has come a very long way and has established herself well in the entertainment industry.
Her popularity grew when she starred opposite Chevy Chase, Beverley D'Angelo and Randy Quaid in the comedy film Vegas Vacation, but prior to this, she had appeared in some television programs, including
My Guys,
Due South,
Friends ‘Til the End. Among her film credits following
Vegas Vacation are
Scream 2,
Can't Hardly Wait,
The Sex Monster,
Mafia!,
Bowfinger,
Laud Weiner,
The Road Home,
The Princess and the Barrio Boy,
Homeland Security,
Delta Farce and
Big Momma's House 2. Her work on the made-for-tv movie,
The Princess and the Marine earned her an ALMA nomination for Outstanding Actor/Actress in a Made for Television Movie or Miniseries.
Nichols has also gained considerable success on the small screen, having roles in series like In
Justice,
Blind Justice,
Resurrection Blvd.,
Friends,
Alias,
Nip/Tuck,
CSI,
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,
ER,
Charmed and
Cold Case. At present, Nichols appears as Nadia Yassir on the Fox Network's hit series,
24.
Nichols is the recipient of a Golden Eagle Award for Most Promising Actor or Actress, but has also devoted her time and services to Criminion, a non-profit organization that aims to provide rehabilitation for prison inmates, and The Citizens Commission on Human Rights, another non-profit organization that helps fund investigations regarding psychiatric violations of human rights. Like celebrities Tom Cruise and John Travolta, Nichols is an active member of the Church of Scientology. She presently lives in Los Angeles, California.