Vanessa Ferlito is an American actress of Italian-American descent. She was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her father died when she was three.

She developed acting aspirations early in life and broke into the entertainment business via television, with guest spots and recurring roles on crime-themed series programs. She has guest appeared on shows like "Law and Order," "Third Watch" and "The Sopranos."

Vanessa is also known for her roles in Man of the House, Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof, for her role as Claudia during 24's third season, but she is mostly known for her role as Detective Aiden Burn on CSI: New York. She chose to leave the show because she wanted to go back to New York.

After the Tarantino project, Ferlito joined co-stars Debra Messingand Alfred Molinafor the gentle comedy Nothing Like the Holidays and worked with Tyler Perryon the farce Madea Goes to Jail (2009).

Ferlito gave birth to her first child, a son, in September 2007. She is a vegetarian, supporter of animal rights, and an active member of PETA. Even though she is of Italian descent she often plays Latinas on TV and film.