Biography
Equal parts elegance and edge, Cynthia moves easily between strength and softness-an actress with a sharp mind, grounded presence, and a smile that genuinely lights up a room. Puerto Rican and raised on the East Coast, she is well read, well traveled, and deeply connected to her community. Book-smart and full of heart, Cynthia was her class valedictorian before turning her focus to her acting career. An articulate martial artist, she has trained alongside the LAPD. Action runs through her veins; between workouts, she avidly practices boxing and Krav Maga.
Cynthia Quiles appears as "Frankie" on the ABC/Hulu sitcom Shifting Gears, opposite Tim Allen and Kat Dennings. She is also known for her recurring roles as "Brenda" in Season 2 of Why Women Kill for Paramount+ and as "Charlie Jimenez" on Dynasty for CW.
Her television credits span a wide range of tone and texture, including American Horror Stories, Mr. Mayor opposite Ted Danson, Station 19, All Rise, and more. On the independent side, Cynthia has led multiple feature films, earning a reputation for performances that balance intensity with warmth, grit with vulnerability.
Cynthia has trained extensively in the Master Class at the Beverly Hills Playhouse under Howie Deutsch, with additional improv training at The Groundlings. She brings both vulnerability and strength to her work. Early in her career, she appeared in the Ridley Scott-produced thriller Phoenix Forgotten and later played a cop opposite Dean Cain in State of Ward. She has collaborated with acclaimed directors, including Spike Jonze, who cast her on the spot in We Were Once a Fairytale.
Off camera, Cynthia loves taking spontaneous adventures in her pickup truck, laughing, and giving back to underserved communities. She is an advocate for domestic violence survivors and a devoted lover of children and animals. With a huge heart and an unstoppable spirit, Cynthia brings the same generosity and curiosity to life that she brings to every role.
