"She's also soulful, earthy, playful, and has a wild, passionate side to her."

Erica was born in June of 1960-something to a very cultural family living in Manhattan, NYC. Her mother was an actor and an opera singer and her father an actor with a few poem publications under his belt. Even at eight-and-a-half months pregnant with her daughter Erica's mother still performed on stage. Gimpel laughs that she let her mother draw a deep breath and hit the notes.

So it comes as no surprise that Erica herself would turn to the show business for a career. At the start she was focussed on singing, but realised that she loved acting. She credits this change to her junior-high-school singing teacher who helped her concentrate on the theatre. Erica was accepted to the prestigious High School of Performing Arts.

While she was studying in the school she was cast as a regular Coco Hernandez on "Fame". She remained on the show for four years, and later on made guest appearances for it. "I still feel very proud of the show's message" she remarks. She was seen on the stage opposite John Malkovich in "States of Shock" in an off-Broadway production, and she has acted in other theatre productions. Her films include "Homicide", "The Fence" and "Smoke".

Ian Sander, executive producer for "Profiler", describes Erica's audition: "She came in and read and tested amongst, I gotta tell you, dozens and dozens of women. She knocked everybody out as soon as she walked in the room and tested for the network. Our casting director brought her in and we fell in love with her instantly."

In "Profiler" she played the part of Angel, the main character Sam's best friend since they were eight year old. Scenes that Sam, Angel and Chloe shared brought a different, one could say lighter aspect to the series. The girls' slumber party in "Bloodlust" and the English tea party from "I'll Be Watching You" are some of the funny and great moments from the run of the series. "As a sculptor my character lives in a very creative environment and also nurtures a very healing environment for her friend as well" Erica explains and is right on the money.

Although she's now making the big time in the acting world, don't think she has given music up. In her free time she sings, plays the piano and writes music. Like co-star Ally Walker, she practices yoga, and often spends time at the seashore. She is active in Soka Gakkia International, a world peace organisation.

Picture:
NBC promo gallery

Links
Erica Gimpel Fanpage
eGroups EricaGimpelFanList mailing list
Erica Gimpel @ Fame Forever