Leslie Rae Bega (born April 17, 1967)[1][2] is an American former actress, best known as Maria on Head of the Class (1986–1989), and Valentina La Paz on The Sopranos (2002–2004).
Bega was born in Los Angeles to a Sephardi Jewish father and Russian Jewish mother. Her paternal grandparents came to the United States from Spain. In addition to English, Bega speaks Spanish and French fluently.[3] After graduating as valedictorian from Lycée Français de Los Angeles, Bega attended the University of Southern California and got her degree in Cinema.[4]
Bega is known for performances in Head of the Class as Maria Borges, David Lynch's Lost Highway, and as a recurring cast member in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, C-16: FBI and The Sopranos as Valentina La Paz.[5] She is also featured as a dancer in the breakdancing films Breakin and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. She played the role of Anna Lansky (née Sitrone) in 1991's Mobsters.
She has appeared as a guest star in the television shows 21 Jump Street, Beverly Hills, 90210, The Twilight Zone, and Highway To Heaven. Her theater work includes King Lear, at the Electric Theatre, The Merchant of Venice, Gypsy, Grease, The Sound of Music, and Maria in West Side Story at the Westchester Theatre.
Since retiring from acting, Bega has worked as a real estate agent in Beverly Hills, California.[6]
Leslie Bega, born in Los Angeles 25 years ago, is an actor.
Leslie Bega, 21, brainy Maria on ABC's Top Twenty hit Head of the Class