When Vanessa was 8, she started acting in plays and even performed her own song at a sixth-grade talent show, which she won. (NovemNovember 7, 2019) and big sisters: Tina (b. She grew up in Indio with her parents, big brother: Pete Samuel 'Sam' Ortiz Jr. Vanessa Marcil was born Vanessa Sally Ortiz on Octoin Indio, California to Patricia Irene Marcil-Ortiz (née Marcil), an herbalist and Pete Ortiz, a contractor.