Amber Valletta
Amber Evangeline Valletta was born on February 9, 1974, in Phoenix, Arizona
Biography
Amber Valletta: Extended Biography
Full Name: Amber Evangeline Valletta Date of Birth: February 9, 1974, Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. Occupation: Model, Actress, Producer, Activist Years Active: 1993–present Education: Booker T. Washington High School Awards: Recognized for contributions to fashion, film, and environmental advocacy
Early Life & Background
Amber Valletta was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by her mother, Theresa Malaby, who worked at the post office. She has Cherokee, Italian, Portuguese, and English ancestry and is a Cherokee Nation citizen.
Her journey into modeling began when her mother enrolled her in Linda Layman Agency at the age of 15. She quickly gained attention in the fashion industry, moving to Milan, Italy, where she landed her first major campaign with Italian Vogue.
Career & Achievements
Amber became one of the most recognizable faces in fashion during the 1990s, appearing on the cover of American Vogue 13 times and working with luxury brands such as Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Valentino, Gucci, and Versace. She signed multimillion-dollar contracts with Calvin Klein and Elizabeth Arden, solidifying her status as a supermodel.
From 1995 to 1996, she co-hosted MTV’s House of Stylealongside Shalom Harlow, further expanding her influence in the industry.
Amber transitioned into acting in the early 2000s, making her film debut in What Lies Beneath (2000), directed by Robert Zemeckis. She continued to build her acting career with roles in Hitch (2005), Transporter 2 (2005), and Gamer (2009).
On television, she had a recurring role as Lydia Davis in Revenge (2011–2015) and starred as Carla Briggs in Blood & Oil (2015).
Personal Life & Advocacy
Amber was married to Hervé Le Bihan from 1994 to 1996 and later to Olympic volleyball player Chip McCaw from 2003 to 2015, with whom she shares a son, Auden McCaw. She has been open about her struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, speaking publicly about her journey to sobriety in 2014.
Beyond fashion and film, Amber is a dedicated environmental activist, advocating for sustainability and climate action. She has worked with organizations promoting eco-conscious fashion and social responsibility, using her platform to drive meaningful change.
Known For
- What Lies Beneath (2000)
- Hitch (2005)
- Transporter 2 (2005)
- Man About Town (2006)
- Dead Silence (2007)
- Gamer (2009)
- The Spy Next Door (2010)
- Revenge (2011–2015)
- Blood & Oil (2015)
Amber Valletta continues to evolve as a model, actress, and activist, balancing her artistic pursuits with her commitment to sustainability and social impact. Her ability to navigate both the fashion and entertainment industries has cemented her status as a multifaceted and influential figure.
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