Fan mail address
Cote De Pablo
Entertainment 360
10100 Santa Monica Blvd
Suite 2300
Los Angeles, CA 90067
USA
Address information
Entertainment 360
(Talent Management Company)
10100 Santa Monica Blvd
Suite 2300
Los Angeles, CA 90067
USA
Cote de Pablo is a Chilean-American actress and singer best known for her role as Special Agent Ziva David on the long-running CBS series NCIS. Born as María José de Pablo Fernández on November 12, 1979, in Santiago, Chile, she moved to the United States at age ten. Her family relocated to Miami, Florida, where she attended Arvida Middle School and New World School of the Arts. It was during these formative years that she developed a love for performing arts, particularly acting and music. Embracing the stage, she adopted the nickname “Cote,” a common Chilean nickname for María José.
After high school, de Pablo attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she honed her acting skills and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater in 2000. While at Carnegie Mellon, she appeared in various theater productions, including The House of Bernarda Alba and A Little Night Music, showcasing her versatility and dedication to her craft. After graduating, de Pablo moved to New York City to pursue a professional acting career, taking on small television roles and theater projects. She worked on commercials and appeared in minor roles in television series like The Education of Max Bickford (2001) and All My Children (2002), gradually gaining experience in the industry.
In 2005, de Pablo’s career took a significant turn when she was cast as Ziva David on NCIS. Her character, an Israeli Mossad officer turned NCIS Special Agent, was introduced in the third season, following the departure of Special Agent Kate Todd, played by Sasha Alexander. Ziva’s introduction brought a new, complex dynamic to the show, as her background and skills as a highly trained Mossad operative were juxtaposed with the procedural nature of NCIS investigations. De Pablo’s portrayal of Ziva, a multilingual, fiercely independent character with a sharp edge and a heart of gold, resonated deeply with fans. Her nuanced performance earned her critical acclaim, and she quickly became a fan favorite, cementing her place as a core member of the ensemble cast.
