Samantha's life journey began in North Carolina, but her path eventually led her to Hollywood via San Diego, California, and a brief stop in Bangor, Maine. From a young age, she discovered a sense of discipline through her involvement in martial arts, and her passion for performing was nurtured through dance and theatre. As she grew older, acting on television and in movies became a natural progression.
Her early credits include the role of 'Stacy' in the 1992 Polygram Film "Summer Camp" and a small part in the "The Brady Bunch" movie. In 1995, she landed her first significant television role as a series regular on "Saved By The Bell: The New Class," playing the feisty and memorable character 'Maria Lopez.' This marked the beginning of a successful career in television, with numerous appearances on sitcoms and TV dramas.
Fast forward to 2001, Samantha had the privilege of working alongside Oscar award-winning talent, including Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, and Cliff Curtis, in the feature film "Training Day." Her portrayal of 'Letty' was a pivotal role in the film. In 2004, she collaborated with Christian Bale in the film "Harsh Times," which was directed and written by David Ayer, who also penned "Training Day."
