Mariela Garriga was born in Habana, Cuba. She has Italian, English, Spanish and France ancestry. She started her artistic career at the age of 13th. She professionally danced in theater and television at “Cuban Television Ballet” until she moved to Italy at a very young age where she stared to take part in some international advertising campaigns as a model.
Although her dream was to be an archeologist, destiny wanted her to do something else. After a full year living in Italy she was strongly encouraged by a casting director to study acting, and after thinking about it for several months she stared to be train at Michael Rodgers Acting Studio in Milan.
Later on she continued her acting studies in NYC at the Terry Schreiber Studio and The Actors Studio. She’s been working as an actress since then, dividing her time between TV series and movies in Italy and the United States.
She will be seen in the American psychological thriller Bloodline, produced by Blumhouse Productions slated to premier September 20th, 2019. In the movie Mariela is ‘Lauren Cole’ opposite Seann William Scott and Dale Dickey. Later on this year we’ll see Mariela on action again, this time in the IIF Italian Noir movie “Gli Uomini d’Oro” an incredibly true story directed by Vincenzo Alfieri, slated to premier November 7th, 2019. She’ll be playing ‘Gina’ opposite Edoardo Leo and Fabio de Luigi. The movie follows a theft of one of Turin’s post office in the 90’s.
In addition to “Gli Uomini D’Oro” and “Bloodline” Mariela recently made a guest star role on NBC critically acclaimed, Emmy Award wining dramma series, “Law and Order SVU,” as ‘Elana Marks’, opposite Mariska Hargitay and Will Chase. She also guest starring on CBS action series “NCIS Los Angeles” as Pietra Rey, opposite Chris O’Donnell and Daniela Ruah. Additional recent credits include the Horror Anthology “Nightmare Cinema” directed by the Master of Horrors Ryuhei Kitamura, David Slade, Joe Dante, Mick Garris and Alejandro Brugues. Another standout project was her recurring role in the Sky Italy tv series “I Delitti del Barlume” as ‘Carmen’. Another of her credits include the Italian comedy “Chi m’ha visto” directed by Alessandro Pondi, where she played ‘Sally’ opposite Beppe Fiorello and PierFrancesco Favino.
Growing up in a communist country with many difficulties made Mariela to see value even in the smallest things in life. She admire people who fight for their dreams. She lives her life with positive energy and kindness.
