Kiele Sanchez

Kiele Sanchez (born October 13, 1977) is an American actress who has cultivated a versatile body of work in both network television and independent cinema. Born in Chicago, Illinois to Oscar Sanchez, a racetrack jockey agent, she grew up as one of four children in a family of Puerto Rican descent, an upbringing that influenced her strong work ethic and cultural identity. She discovered her passion for performance while attending Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, where a lead role in a production of The Grapes of Wrath helped her overcome early stage fright. After graduating, Sanchez entered the national spotlight as a finalist on MTV’s Wanna Be a VJ contest in 2000, a chance encounter that attracted an agent and prompted her move to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles she quickly booked guest spots on short‑lived series such as That Was Then and the sitcom Married to the Kellys, laying the groundwork for her breakout television role. Her most prominent early television success came in 2006 when she joined the third season of ABC’s critically acclaimed drama Lost as Nikki Fernandez, a complex character whose early death sparked intense fan discussion. Following Lost, Sanchez expanded into film with supporting roles in the comedy Stuck on You (2003), the thriller A Perfect Getaway (2009), and the horror sequel 30 Days of Night: Dark Days (2010), demonstrating her ability to navigate multiple genres. From 2010 to 2014 she anchored the A&E series The Glades as Rayna Cruz, appearing in all 49 episodes and cementing her reputation as a leading lady in procedural dramas. In 2014 she starred in the DirecTV drama Kingdom and later, in 2020, was cast as Lorna Crane in the CBS adaptation of The Lincoln Lawyer, a role later recast when the series moved to Netflix. Beyond her professional achievements, Sanchez’s personal life has been marked by two high‑profile marriages—to screenwriter Zach Helm (2001‑2008) and actor Zach Gilford (married 2012, separated 2025)—and the birth of two children, a son and a daughter, after a tragic stillbirth in 2015. Her career continues to evolve, with recent recurring appearances alongside Gilford in Criminal Minds: Evolution (2022) and ongoing interest from both streaming platforms and network producers.