Rachel Ticotin

Early life Ticotin was born in The Bronx in 1958, one of six children born to a Puerto Rican mother and a Polish-Jewish father. Her father was a used-car salesman. She began taking dance lessons at age 9 under Tina Ramirez, and joined her Ballet Hispanico at age 14, performing with the company for four years. She worked with choreographers like Alvin Ailey, Donald McKayle, Anna Sokolow and Geoffrey Holder. Ticotin graduated from Professional Children's School.

Career In 1978, Ticotin made her film debut as a dancer in the film King of the Gypsies. She also acted in the Off-Broadway production of Miguel Piñero's The Sun Always Shines for the Cool. During this period, she received an onscreen credit as a production assistant on Brian De Palma's Dressed to Kill and Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull. Her first big break came when, working as a production assistant alongside her brother David in 1981, she was given a significant role as Isabella, Paul Newman's love interest in the movie Fort Apache, The Bronx (1981). She also played Dr. Marie Cerone on the ABC medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy in 2018.

Personal life Ticotin was married to actor David Caruso from 1984 to 1987, with whom she has a daughter (Greta), born in 1984. Since 1998, she has been married to actor Peter Strauss.

In her 50s, she enrolled in Columbia University, studying English, and graduating in 2019. At age 60, she was the first of her six siblings to earn a college degree.

Ticotin has co-directed the annual Rising Stars show at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School since 2010.

Filmography

Film

Television + Year Title Role Notes 1983–84For Love and HonorCpl. Grace Pavlik 12 episodes 1985–86 Our Family Honor Karen Pellagrino Episodes: "Crimes of Passion: Parts 1 & 2"1986 Stingray Elena Ballesteros Episode: "Ancient Eyes" 1987–88 Ohara Teresa Storm Main cast; Season 2 1993 Crime & Punishment Det. Annette Rey 6 episodes1994 Tales from the Crypt Charbonnet / Lilian Episode: "Staired in Horror" 1994–96 Gargoyles Cpt. Maria Chavez (voice) 12 episodes2001 Theodora 'Teddi' Madden Episode: "Mona Lisa" 2002 American Family Vangie Gonzalez Taylor 6 episodes 2003–05 Skin Laura Roam 6 episodes 2005–06 Lost Cpt. Teresa Cortez Episodes: "Collision" and "Two for the Road" 2007 John from Cincinnati Woman In Jail Cell Episode: "His Visit: Day One" 2009 Weeds Candela Episode: "All About My Mom" 2010–11 Law & Order: LA Lt. Arleen Gonzales Main cast2012 Unforgettable Sharon Vega Episode: "Allegiances" NCIS: Los Angeles Monica Tenez Episode: "Dead Body Politic" 2013 Blue Bloods Carmen Castillo Episode: "Warrior" 2017 Homeland Mercedes Episode: "The Return" 2018 Grey's Anatomy Dr. Marie Cerone 3 episodes 2019 The Act Gina 4 episodes 2023 NCIS Joy Aaronson Episode: "Bridges"2026Sheriff CountryEva Santos3 episodes

TV films and miniseries

Awards and nominations