Celebrity Info
Best known for her standout role as Ziva David on the hit series NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Coté de Pablo—born María José de Pablo Fernández—hails from a well-off Roman Catholic family in Chile. Interestingly, the name “Coté” isn’t just a stage name; it’s actually a popular nickname in Chile for women named María José, and it stuck with her from childhood. When she was just 10 years old, Coté de Pablo relocated to Miami, Florida, after her mother landed a job in television. This move would eventually set the stage for her future in entertainment.
Growing up, Coté de Pablo showed a strong passion for the arts. She attended the prestigious New World School of the Arts before going on to study music and theater at Carnegie Mellon University—a decision that helped lay the foundation for her acting career. After graduating, she packed her bags and headed to New York City, determined to make her mark in acting.
Her first major break came in 1994 when she debuted as a host on the show Control. While that was a start, Coté de Pablo was eager to dive into narrative storytelling. Her breakthrough moment arrived in 2000 with a guest appearance on The Street. Then, in 2002, she took on a lead role in the short-lived courtroom drama The Jury, which, despite lasting only 10 episodes, showcased her growing talent.
Just when things seemed uncertain, fate stepped in. Coté de Pablo was preparing to make her Broadway debut in The Mambo Kings—a dream come true—only for the production to close following a lukewarm reception during its San Francisco run. But sometimes, setbacks open new doors. Just two days after the cancellation, she received a life-changing call: an audition for NCIS.
It didn’t take long for Coté de Pablo to land the role of Ziva David, the tough yet complex Israeli Mossad Liaison Officer who later becomes a Naval Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent. Her performance quickly became a fan favorite, earning her widespread acclaim and even an Imagen Award in 2006. Coté de Pablo brought depth, strength, and emotional nuance to the character, making Ziva one of the most memorable figures in the series’ history.
Beyond acting, Coté de Pablo has always nurtured her love for music. She’s no stranger to the spotlight as a singer, and her cover of Tom Waits’s “Temptation,” featured on the NCIS soundtrack, is a testament to her vocal talent. Over the years, Coté de Pablo has proven herself to be a multifaceted artist—equally compelling on screen and in song.
Well, when it comes to Cote de Pablo’s filmography, things get a bit interesting—her highest rated movie actually happens to be The 33 (2015), which also, kind of oddly enough, holds the spot as her lowest rated project. Yeah, you heard that right—Cote de Pablo’s most notable work in terms of ratings is The 33 (2015), and despite mixed reviews, it remains both the peak and the low point in her movie career so far. So, whether you’re a big fan of Cote de Pablo or just exploring her work, The 33 (2015) definitely stands out—though not always in the way you might expect.
28
India
