Dascha Polanco was born on March 3, 1982, in the Dominican Republic. At a young age, she moved to the United States with her family and was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and Miami, Florida by her parents Rubén Darío Polanco and Janet Polanco.
Despite facing challenges as an immigrant, Dascha always knew she wanted to pursue a career in acting. After graduating from Hunter College with a bachelor's degree in psychology, she worked as a hospital administrator while also studying nursing. However, her true passion lay in acting, and she decided to pursue it full-time.
Dascha Polanco's big break came when she was cast as Dayanara Diaz in the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Her portrayal of the complex and multi-dimensional character garnered her widespread acclaim and recognition in the entertainment industry.
Following her success on Orange Is the New Black, Dascha went on to appear in various film and television projects. In 2013, she starred in the independent film Gimme Shelter and in 2014, she appeared in the comedy film The Cobbler. She also had acting credits in television shows such as Unforgettable and NYC 22.
Dascha Polanco became a mother at a young age, giving birth to her daughter Dasany when she was just 17 years old. Despite the challenges of being a young parent, Dascha has been able to successfully balance her career and her family life. In addition to Dasany, she also has a son named Aryam.
Dascha Polanco's journey from a hospital administrator to a successful actress is a testament to her perseverance and talent. With her breakthrough role on Orange Is the New Black, she has established herself as a rising star in Hollywood.