Kirsten Vangsness

Kirsten Simone Vangsness (born on July 7, 1972) is an American actress and writer. She is best known for playing the FBI Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia on the TV show Criminal Minds. She later played the same person on the shows Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.

Vangsness began acting in 1998. She later won several awards. They included the 15 Minutes of Female Best Actress Award, the Golden Betty Award and the Los Angeles Drama Critic Award.

Vangsness was born in Pasadena, California.