Kirsten Vangsness Now: A Look At What She's Up To
Many fans, you know, who love the show *Criminal Minds* often wonder about the actors after the cameras stop rolling. It's a common thing, really, to keep up with favorite stars. People often ask, "What is Kirsten Vangsness doing now?" She played the amazing Penelope Garcia, a character who truly captured hearts with her bright personality and tech wizardry. So, it's pretty natural for folks to be curious about her life and career these days, especially with new seasons of the show coming out. This article will tell you all about what Kirsten is up to as of late 2024, giving you a good picture of her professional and personal endeavors.
Kirsten Vangsness, that, is someone who has made a big mark in television history. Her role as Penelope Garcia, the eccentric tech analyst and communications liaison on *Criminal Minds*, spanned an impressive 15 seasons. She was, in a way, the eyes of the audience, really, bringing a unique warmth to the sometimes dark stories. Her presence was a constant, and she was the only cast member to be on the show from the very first season all the way to the end of its original run. It’s almost like she was the heart of the team for many viewers.
So, what has this remarkable performer been doing since then, and what's on her plate currently? Well, it's fair to say she's been keeping very busy. From continuing her iconic role in the show's revival to taking on new creative projects and even giving back to her community, Kirsten Vangsness is, in fact, living a full and interesting life. She’s definitely not one to sit still for too long, it seems.
Table of Contents
- Kirsten Vangsness: Biography and Career Highlights
- Personal Details and Bio Data
- Back in the BAU: On Criminal Minds: Evolution
- Other Acting Ventures
- Creative Pursuits and Community Work
- A Glimpse into Her Personal World
- Frequently Asked Questions About Kirsten Vangsness
Kirsten Vangsness: Biography and Career Highlights
Kirsten Vangsness, you know, has built quite a career for herself in the entertainment business. She became a household name, more or less, thanks to her memorable portrayal of Penelope Garcia on the long-running CBS series *Criminal Minds*. Her character was known for her colorful outfits, quirky personality, and an incredible ability to find information, no matter how hidden. This role really allowed Kirsten to show off her unique acting style and connect with a wide audience. It’s pretty clear she brought something special to that part.
Before and during her time on the original *Criminal Minds*, Kirsten also explored other acting opportunities. For instance, she appeared in the 2011 film *The Chicago 8*, which was a rather different kind of project for her. Then, in 2015, she was seen in *Kill Me, Deadly*, a film noir spoof where she also took on roles as a star and an executive producer. This film, by the way, can be found on many streaming platforms, which is neat. These projects, you know, show her range beyond the beloved tech analyst.
Beyond live-action roles, Kirsten has lent her voice to characters as well. She voices a lesbian space alien, for example, who finds herself in a love triangle with other members of a space crew. This kind of voice work really shows her versatility and willingness to take on varied parts. It's just another facet of her performing life, and it’s actually pretty cool to hear her in a different kind of role.
Personal Details and Bio Data
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kirsten Vangsness |
| Known For | Penelope Garcia on *Criminal Minds* |
| Current Series | *Criminal Minds: Evolution* (Paramount+) |
| Other Notable Films | *The Chicago 8* (2011), *Kill Me, Deadly* (2015), *Stuck*, *Axis* |
| Voice Acting | Lesbian space alien in a comedy podcast (Season 2) |
| Relationship Status | Engaged to actor and writer Keith Hanson |
| Sexuality | Openly bisexual |
| Advocacy Work | Spokesperson, volunteer, and advocate for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation |
| Hobbies/Interests | Traveling, working with children, watching movies, feeding stray cats, receiving texts from her own cats |
| Creative Projects | Participates in "Bits shows" (performance art), star and executive producer of *Kill Me, Deadly* |
Back in the BAU: On Criminal Minds: Evolution
For fans who truly missed Penelope Garcia, there's some wonderful news: Kirsten Vangsness is back! She currently stars on the Paramount+ revival of *Criminal Minds*, which is now called *Criminal Minds: Evolution*. This show, you know, brings back many familiar faces and continues the story of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. It's a slightly different vibe than before, as Kirsten herself has mentioned, but it keeps that same core feeling that people loved. It's almost like coming home for the cast and the viewers.
The journey for *Evolution* has been pretty interesting. The first season of the revival debuted a bit over a year ago. Then, there was a snag in production, which is something that happens sometimes in television. But, as of late, filming for *Criminal Minds: Evolution* is back on track. In fact, fans learned from an X (formerly Twitter) update from Paget Brewster, who plays Emily Prentiss, that the cast was back on set. Kirsten herself dropped an even more exciting update on May 16, posting a TikTok video from the set, showing everyone was indeed back to work. It’s pretty exciting for everyone involved.
Good news just keeps coming for this series. The third season of *Evolution* is currently in production, which means more episodes are on the way. And, if that wasn't enough, it was announced this week that *Criminal Minds* will return for season 18 on May 8, 2025. What's more, a 19th season has also been ordered! This means Kirsten will be playing Penelope Garcia for quite a while longer, much to the delight of her many admirers. She truly seems thrilled to be back, describing it as "dreamy and magical," and appreciating that she gets to "play pretend for a living."
Other Acting Ventures
While *Criminal Minds* and its *Evolution* revival take up a good deal of her time, Kirsten Vangsness has also taken on other projects. Some of her more recent roles outside the world of the BAU include appearances in the films *Stuck* and *Axis*. These roles, you know, show her willingness to explore different characters and stories beyond her most famous part. It’s always interesting to see an actor step into different shoes, and she does that quite well.
As mentioned before, Kirsten also has a passion for film noir. She is the star and executive producer of the film noir spoof *Kill Me, Deadly*. This project, which was seen at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, for its world premiere, is a true labor of love for her. It’s a chance for her to not just act, but to also shape the creative direction of a project, which is a big deal. She's also been heard on season two of a comedy podcast, where she voices a lesbian space alien involved in a love triangle. So, she's definitely keeping her acting muscles working in various ways.
Creative Pursuits and Community Work
Beyond her television and film work, Kirsten Vangsness has a strong connection to live performance and community involvement. She has been participating in "Bits shows" for a while now. These are, in a way, unique performance art pieces. She occasionally posts about these on social media and invites fans to come see them. It's a different kind of creative outlet for her, allowing her to connect with an audience in a more immediate and personal way. This kind of work is pretty special, giving her a chance to explore performance outside of traditional acting roles.
Kirsten also uses her platform to do good in the world. She serves as a spokesperson, volunteer, and advocate for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. This organization, you know, encourages children to fundraise and spread awareness about childhood cancer. It's a cause that's clearly close to her heart, and she dedicates time and effort to it. This shows, in some respects, her generous spirit and desire to make a difference beyond the entertainment industry.
She's also, you know, a very vocal advocate for peace and civic engagement. Kirsten has encouraged people to "eat 2024 with gusto and call our representatives and lift our voices and actions for peace." This kind of public stance, really, shows she cares about important global issues and encourages others to get involved. It's a reminder that public figures can inspire positive change, and she seems to embrace that responsibility.
A Glimpse into Her Personal World
When Kirsten Vangsness isn't busy on set or advocating for important causes, she enjoys a personal life that sounds, well, quite charming. She's openly bisexual, which is something she has shared publicly. She is currently engaged to actor and writer Keith Hanson. Their relationship seems to be a source of great happiness for her, and it's nice to see her share that part of her life with her fans.
In her spare time, Kirsten has a few favorite pastimes. She enjoys traveling, which is a pretty common way to relax and see new things. She also likes working with children, which aligns with her advocacy for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Watching movies is another one of her simple pleasures, which, you know, makes sense for someone in her line of work. And, perhaps most famously among her fans, she enjoys feeding stray cats and, hilariously, receiving texts from her own cats. It's just a little peek into her quirky and lovable personality, really.
Kirsten has also been focusing on her well-being, mentioning she's "doing my physical therapy at home, gunning." This suggests she's taking care of herself and working towards personal health goals. It’s a good reminder that even busy actors need to prioritize their health. She seems to approach life with a lot of appreciation, often taking "a huge breath of appreciation that I get to play pretend for a living," which is a pretty lovely way to look at her career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kirsten Vangsness
People often have questions about what Kirsten Vangsness is doing now. Here are some common ones, answered with the latest information.
Is Kirsten Vangsness still acting?
Yes, absolutely! Kirsten Vangsness is very much still acting. She is a main star on the Paramount+ revival series *Criminal Minds: Evolution*, where she continues her beloved role as Penelope Garcia. The show is currently in production for its third season, and seasons 18 and 19 of *Criminal Minds* have already been ordered, so she will be on screen for quite some time. She also takes on other acting parts, like voice roles in podcasts and appearances in films such as *Stuck* and *Axis*.
What is Kirsten Vangsness doing outside of acting?
Outside of her acting work, Kirsten Vangsness is quite active in various areas. She is a dedicated spokesperson, volunteer, and advocate for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organization that helps children with cancer. She also participates in "Bits shows," which are a form of performance art. In her personal time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with children, watching movies, and has a well-known love for cats, both stray ones she feeds and her own who, apparently, text her. She is also engaged to actor and writer Keith Hanson.
What roles has Kirsten Vangsness played besides Penelope Garcia?
While Penelope Garcia is her most famous role, Kirsten Vangsness has taken on several other parts. In film, she appeared in *The Chicago 8* in 2011 and starred in and executive produced the film noir spoof *Kill Me, Deadly* in 2015. More recently, she has been seen in films like *Stuck* and *Axis*. She also does voice acting, including a role as a lesbian space alien in a comedy podcast. She's definitely explored different kinds of characters and stories in her career.
To learn more about Criminal Minds on our site, and link to this page Kirsten Vangsness's career.
You can also find more information about Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and their work at their official website.
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