Kirsten Vangsness Biography: Husband, Age, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings, Height, Movies, TV Series

Kirsten Vangsness is an American actress and writer best known for her role as FBI Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia on the CBS drama series “Criminal Minds.”.

She pursued theater before gaining recognition in television.

Alongside acting, she has co-written several episodes of Criminal Minds.

Profile

• Full Name: Kirsten Simone Vangsness
• Stage Name: Kirsten Vangsness
• Born: July 7, 1972
• Age: 52 years old
• Birthplace: Pasadena, California, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Writer
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)
• Parents: Errol Leroy Vangsness, Barbara Mary Vangsness
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: Keith Hanson
• Children: None
• Relationship: Engaged
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Kirsten Vangsness was born on July 7, 1972, in Pasadena, California, United States. She is 52 years old as of 2025. She was raised in Porterville before moving to Cerritos, California.

Her parents are Errol Leroy Vangsness and Barbara Mary Vangsness. While details about her siblings are not widely known, she comes from a mixed ethnic background, with Norwegian and Italian ancestry.

Kirsten Vangsness practices Christianity. She attended Cerritos High School and later studied at Cypress College before earning a degree from California State University, Fullerton, in 1996.

Career

Kirsten Vangsness began her acting career in theater, earning recognition with awards such as the 15 Minutes of Female Best Actress Award and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Best Emerging Comic Actress.

She gained widespread fame as Penelope Garcia, an FBI Technical Analyst, in the CBS series Criminal Minds (2005–2020). Her character became a fan favorite, leading to appearances in the spin-offs Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. In 2022, she reprised her role in Criminal Minds: Evolution.

Beyond acting, Vangsness co-wrote several episodes of Criminal Minds, including Nelson’s Sparrow and the series finale. She has also worked as a playwright and screenwriter. Her film credits include Kill Me, Deadly (2015) and Dave Made a Maze (2017). Known for her creativity, she contributes to television and theater.

Awards and Nominations

Throughout her theater career, Vangsness received accolades such as the 15 Minutes of Female Best Actress Award and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Best Emerging Comic Actress.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @kirstenvangsness

Personal Life

American actress and writer Kirsten Vangsness is not married but has been engaged to actor and writer Keith Hanson since 2015.

Before this, she was in a long-term relationship with Melanie Goldstein, a film editor, but they separated in 2013. Vangsness is approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall.

Filmography

Film:

• 1998: “Sometimes Santa’s Gotta Get Whacked” as Tooth Fairy
• 2006: “A-List” as Blue
• 2009: “Scream of the Bikini” as Interior Decorator
• 2010: “In My Sleep” as Madge
• 2015: “Kill Me, Deadly” as Mona Livingston
• 2017: “Dave Made a Maze” as Jane
• 2023: “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story” as Barb Raber

Television:

• 2004: “Phil of the Future” as Veronica
• 2005–2020: “Criminal Minds” as Penelope Garcia
• 2011: “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” as Penelope Garcia
• 2016–2017: “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders” as Penelope Garcia
• 2022–2023: “Criminal Minds: Evolution” as Penelope Garcia

Net Worth

Kirsten Vangsness’s estimated net Worth is $3 million. Her primary source of income is her successful acting career, particularly her long-running role as Penelope Garcia on Criminal Minds and its spin-offs.

In addition to acting, she has earned income as a writer, co-writing several episodes of Criminal Minds. She is also a playwright and has been involved in theater productions. Vangsness has expanded her earnings through film roles, voice acting, and other creative projects.