Actor / Director Profile

Born in Buffalo, New York to Shirley Marie Giordano-Cina and Charles Cina Jr., Maria has one brother, Charles Cina III. She left home at 17 years old to pursue a dance career and landed in Las Vegas as a magicians assistant. Maria worked as a dancer throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia with such acts as Sigfried and Roy, Tina Turner, and Barry White. She moved to Los Angeles in 1991 to continue her dance career in music videos, commercials and film and worked with Prince and Reba MacEntire, on the Mtv Awards, Country Music Awards, The Hollywood Bowl, and other concert venues, as well as with many other artists. She began acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory and has appeared on stage in plays in London and Los Angeles. Maria lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Blair Harrison (CEO IFilm) and two dogs. She is active in causes for: Breast Cancer Research, The Covenant House Shelter for Women and Children, building schools in Vietnam with The Children Of Vietnam Organization and is a proud member of The Women's Political Committee. Maria is an excellent cook, loves to paint, garden, design interiors, jewelry and clothing. She practices yoga, plays tennis and continues to dance to calm her soul. In addition to acting in films, Maria began developing projects as a producer in 2000 with short films Ant, The Bug In My Ear and the feature April's Shower. In 2007, she has several projects in development including: The Dancing Fool (feature), The Fashion Show Off (game show) and Looking For Hef (a reality series). Maria is committed to making the world a better place with everyday kindness, smiles and action.