Biography for
Chase Masterson More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

26 February 1963, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Birth Name

Christianne Carafano

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography

Chase Masterson (born February 26, 1963 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is perhaps best known as sexy casino girl "Leeta" on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993) and "Ivy Lief" on "General Hospital" (1963), as well as being the featured guest star in the first Emmy Award-winning episode of "ER" (1994).

Masterson was recently named one of the "Hot Leading Ladies" of Film in 2008 by "Film Fetish", one of the world's "50 Sexiest Women" by "Femme Fatales Magazine", the "#1 Favorite Science Fiction Actress on Television" in a "TV Guide" online readers poll, and one of the "Top 20 People to Watch in Hollywood" by "Sci-Fi Universe Magazine". She was also named "Best Feature Film Producer" by the LA Femme Film Festival for her work on Yesterday Was a Lie (2008).

Masterson got her start as a child actress, singer, and dancer in Texas. After several theatre and film roles in her youth and teen years, she got her first big break in lead roles in the low budget thrillers In a Moment of Passion (1993) and Married People, Single Sex (1994) as well as Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) (in which she played Richard Lewis' girlfriend).

Masterson originally auditioned for the one-time guest role of Jake Sisko's girlfriend "Mardah" in a 1994 episode of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993), but was told that she was a bit too old to be romantically involved with the teenage Jake character. Director Avery Brooks has subsequently indicated at Trek conventions that he held off casting her because he "didn't want [his] character's son to be with someone so sexy", and that he hoped she would be brought on as a regular cast member (perhaps as a love interest for himself). The role of "Leeta" was then written for her (although she was apparently still required to audition for it), and she remained in the role for the final five years of the series' run.

Prominent recent film roles include "J.A.N.I.C.E. Em" in Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles (2006) and the "Singer" in Yesterday Was a Lie (2008). Masterson hosted "Sci-Fi Entertainment" (1998) for the Syfy Channel in the 1990s and an Internet-based radio talk show for the website The Fandom in 2004-2005. She has also hosted "Showtime: Nighttime" and Encore's "Starz On Demand", and guest-hosted "CNet Central" (1996) and NBC's "Saturday Night at the Movies" (1974).

Masterson is also a singer of jazz/torch songs and has received positive reviews for her music from magazines such as "Film Score Monthly" and "Entertainment Today". She has recently performed in USO tours for the Navy and the Marine Corps. Masterson has been actively involved in numerous charities worldwide, including Caring for Babies With AIDS, Homeboy Industries, Iris Ministries, and Youth With a Mission, and founded the G.E.N.I.U.S. charity umbrella organization which is supported by her licensed fan club. She donated proceeds from a 2008 American flag photo shoot to the organization Operation Call Home, supplying phone cards to U.S. troops.

Following a series of stalking incidents instigated by a man in Berlin, Masterson was the plaintiff in a highly controversial legal case in which the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that user-account-based websites constitute "interactive computer services" under the Communications Decency Act and are therefore not liable for information published on them. The court also ruled that public figures are not entitled to the same privacy protection online as other individuals. The case precedent has since been used to indemnify websites such as Craigslist when used to advertise illegal services.

Masterson recently served as executive producer on the documentary film Through Your Eyes (2007) (about the world's only deaf-blind triplets) and has optioned the rights to the HarperCollins novel The Camel Bookmobile (2012).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Sorenson

Trade Mark

Red hair and voluptuous figure

Lisp, breathless voice

Trivia

One son, Jeremiah.

Received a BFA in Acting from the University of Texas.

Spent 8 years as a professional dancer, and is a member of the improvisational group "The Groundlings."

Is good friends with actor Jonathan Del Arco, who recommended Chase to audition for "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993). He felt that she would make a good Bajoran alien.

Playmates Toys released a 4.5 inch Star Trek action figure in her likeness of her character on the series, Leeta.

Is good friends with Lolita Fatjo, in fact Fatjo's first name was the inspiration for her character "Leeta" on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993).

Sued Matchmaker.com after an unknown person using a computer in Berlin, Germany posted a profile of Carafano containing her personal contact information on Matchmaker without her knowledge or consent. The trial court dismissed her case on the basis that she is a public figure. On August 13, 2003, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the trial court's dismissal.

Along with fellow DS9 co-stars Aron Eisenberg, Max Grodénchik and the late Cecily Adams, she was part of the popular "Ferengi Family Hour" comedy sketch that frequented Star Trek conventions.

Was national Nordic-Track spokesperson. In fact, on Chase's first day on the "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993) set, actor Avery Brooks recognized her from it.

Originally auditioned for the role of "Marta", Jake Sisko's Bajoran girlfriend, on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993). She was one of two actresses up for the part but lost out because she was considered a bit too attractive. The role of Leeta, a dabo girl, was written with her in mind, even though she still had to audition for the role.

Attended the closing of Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton on September 1, 2008.

Personal Quotes

Acting is such a powerful profession, and a humbling one at the same time.

Where Are They Now

(March 2008) Attended OmegaCon on March 14-16

(September 2008) Attended the closing of Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton