Raquel Castro Biography

Date of Birth: November 17, 1994

Named after her mother's favorite actress, Raquel Welch, Raquel Castro began singing as soon as she could speak. She inherited her talent from her singer/songwriter father, Albee, and her actress/songwriter mother, Kathy. Kathy signed the little girl up with an agent and by the time she was four, Raquel had filmed a children's safety video and recorded several children's songs.

Her television debut was on HBO's A Little Curious. She has also appeared on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr., Sesame Street, Bravo's comedy series The Awful Truth and an episode of NBC's Third Watch that aired on April 22, 2002. Later that year, she landed a starring role as Gertie Trinke, the daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, in Jersey Girl (2004). Director Kevin Smith said, "I didn't want someone who was 'movie cute' and 'darling.' I wanted a more natural performance. Raquel was unpolished. In addition, it certainly didn't hut that she bears a striking resemblance to Jennifer, and even to Ben in some degrees. When we were casting, we took Raquel's headshot and placed it next to Ben's and Jennifer's and she looked like the child they would have."

Raquel lives in Long Island with her family, which includes two brothers, two sisters, and two ferrets. She studies gymnastics, takes karate lessons and enjoys playing volleyball, soccer, basketball and baseball.

Filmography:

Jersey Girl (2004)