Mercedes Mason

Born on March 3, 1983, in the Swedish city of Linköping, Mercedes Mason’s family roots trace back to Iran. After her family’s relocation to Chicago when she was 12, Mercedes’ modeling talent caught the eye of a FORD Models scout during her high school years.

Mercedes balanced modeling assignments and schoolwork from the age of 13. Despite her early success in the fashion world, she did not see it as her lifetime vocation. Post high school, she attended college, majoring in psychology. It was her participation in college theater productions that ignited her passion for acting and steered her towards a career in the performing arts.

Mason’s acting career was initiated in 2005 with a small role in the soap opera “One Life to Live,” where she played Nurse Neely. Her entrance into the film world was marked by her role in “The Break-Up” in 2006, acting alongside Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn.

Her journey in television from 2008 to 2012 included guest appearances in “The Finder,” “NCIS,” “CSI: NY,” and “Castle.” A pivotal role for Mason was in the horror film “Quarantine 2: Terminal” in 2011, where she played a lead role as Jenny, a character that was part of a remake of “Rec.”

In 2012, Mason starred in the TV series “The Finder,” a derivative of “Bones,” playing the character Isabel Zambada. Although the series started strong, it was not continued beyond its initial season. That same year, she appeared in the series “666 Park Avenue” as Louise Leonard, a main character.

Mason’s recurring role in “NCIS: Los Angeles” from 2014 to 2019 as Special Agent Talia Del Campo marked another significant phase in her career. Her participation in the series “Fear the Walking Dead” in 2015 further enhanced her reputation, thanks to her portrayal of Ofelia Salazar.

In 2018, Mason took on the role of Police Captain Zoe Anderson in “The Rookie.” Her performance was alongside prominent actors like Nathan Fillion. She also made notable appearances in shows like “How to Get Away with Murder” and “The L Word: Generation Q.”

Mercedes Mason, who became a U.S. citizen, is based in Los Angeles. She has been married to actor David Denman, known from “The Office,” since 2014. The couple welcomed their first child, Caius Kane Denman, in 2018, and their second child, Sagan Cyrus, a few years later. Mason is fluent in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Persian.

Continuing her dynamic presence in the entertainment industry, Mason explored her skills as a screenwriter and director with the short film “Bridge” in 2019. Her most recent acting ventures include a guest role in the series “American Horror Stories” and a significant part in “Little Dixie” alongside actors Frank Grillo and Eric Dane, demonstrating her continued growth and versatility as an actress.