Vanessa Marano


Vanessa Nicole Marano is an American actress and singer. She has starred in television movies and had recurring roles in such series as Without a Trace, Gilmore Girls, Ghost Whisperer, Scoundrels, Grey's Anatomy and The Young and the Restless. From 2011 to 2017, she starred as Bay Kennish on the Freeform television series Switched at Birth.

Career

Vanessa Marano began acting professionally at the age of seven. According to an interview with her sister, her mother did not want either of her children to have careers in show business, and took the girls to an agent that she believed was most likely to turn kids down, only to find that Vanessa was accepted. Her sister Laura, who was on the scene with her, also impressed the agency. Since then, she has worked for productions at the Stage Door Theater. Marano's first major roles on television have been as Jack Malone's older daughter in Without a Trace, Valerie's stepdaughter in The Comeback and as April Nardini in Gilmore Girls. She also played Layne Abeley in The Clique based on the books by Lisi Harrison and Samantha Combs in Dear Lemon Lima. Marano starred in an episode of Ghost Whisperer alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt. Marano played Eden on The Young and the Restless and Hope on Scoundrels. From 2011 to 2017, she starred as Bay Kennish on the ABC Family TV show Switched at Birth. In 2013, she starred in Restless Virgins which was inspired by a true story.

Personal life

Marano was born in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Ellen, is the owner of Agoura Children's Theatre. Her younger sister, Laura Marano, is also an actress. Marano speaks Italian, and her father is of Italian descent.

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002–2009Without a TraceHanna MaloneRecurring role; 12 episodes
2004Grounded for LifeLexieEpisode: "Tombstone Blues"
2004The Brooke Ellison StoryYoung Brooke EllisonTV movie
2005Six Feet UnderTate Pasquese2 episodes
2005The ComebackFranchescaRecurring role, 12 episodes
2005Malcolm in the MiddleGinaEpisode: "Malcolm Defends Reese"
2005–2007Gilmore GirlsApril NardiniRecurring role; 13 episodes
2006Boys LifeSheilaMovie
2007Hell on EarthShellyTV movie
2008Man of Your DreamsMaiaTV movie
2008Miss GuidedKellyEpisode: "Homecoming"
2008The CloserTheresa MonroeEpisode: "Problem Child"
2008Ghost WhispererAlise JonesEpisode: "Ghost in the Machine"
2008–2010The Young and the RestlessEden BaldwinRegular role; 59 episodes
2009Trust MeHaley McGuireRecurring role; 5 episodes
2009–2011DexterRebecca MitchellRecurring role; 6 episodes
2010Untitled Michael Jacobs PilotBailey DavidsonUnsold pilot movie
2010Past LifeSusan CharneEpisode: "Dead Man Talking"
2010MediumJennifer WhittenEpisodes: "There Will Be Blood.. Type A", "There Will Be Blood... Type B"
2010ScoundrelsHope WestMain role; 8 episodes
2010ParenthoodHollyEpisode: "Date Night"
2010Marry MeImogen HicksTV miniseries
2011Private PracticeCaseyEpisode: "The Hardest Part"
2011Love BitesBecky LernerEpisode: "Too Much Information"
2011'Samantha CaffertyEpisode: "CSI Down"
2011–2017Switched at BirthBay KennishMain role; 103 episodes
2012Grey's AnatomyHolly WheelerEpisode: "The Girl with No Name"
2012Boys Are Stupid, Girls Are MeanNarrator9 episodes
2013Restless VirginsEmilyTV movie
2013PerceptionRileyEpisode: "Toxic"
2014'Natalie LaneEpisode: "The Recruits"
2016OutcastSherryEpisode: "The Road Before Us"
2016April NardiniEpisode: "Summer"
2017Silicon ValleyStanford University studentEpisodes: "Intellectual Property", "Teambuilding Exercise"
2018Station 19MollyEpisodes: "Not Your Hero", "No Recovery"
2018- presentDead Girls Detective AgencyNancy GravesMain Cast: Web Series

Film

Awards and nominations