BLUF: Lisseth Chavez is a 36-year-old American actress of Afro-Salvadoran descent, born May 25, 1989, best known as Officer Celina Juarez on ABC's The Rookie and Esperanza "Spooner" Cruz on DC's Legends of Tomorrow.
Lisseth Chavez started as a model and reality TV contestant. She became a recognizable face across three major network franchises. As of 2026, she is a series regular on one of ABC's top-rated procedural dramas.
Quick Bio Facts (2026)
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Lisseth Chavez |
| Date of Birth | May 25, 1989 |
| Age (2026) | 36 years old |
| Birthplace | California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Afro-Salvadoran |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Weight | ~55–59 kg (121–130 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown / Black |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Religion | Christian |
| Net Worth (2026) | $1 million – $3 million (est.) |
| Relationship | Sean McClaim (longtime partner) |
| Occupation | Actress, Former Model |
| Active Since | 2009 |
Who Is Lisseth Chavez?
Lisseth Chavez is an American actress with deep Afro-Salvadoran roots. She was born and raised in California before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue acting. She first appeared on TV in the 2009 reality beauty competition True Beauty.
Her professional acting debut came in 2011 with a single-episode appearance in The Baby. She then spent several years building her résumé through guest roles. Shows like Southland, Shameless, Lucifer, and Rizzoli & Isles all featured her in supporting parts.
Her career accelerated significantly in 2016. That year, she landed a recurring role on The Night Shift, which led to more prominent work on The Fosters. By 2019, she was appearing in multi-episode arcs on Station 19 and The OA.
Lisseth Chavez Early Life and Background
Lisseth grew up in California with her family. Her heritage is Afro-Salvadoran, making her one of the few actresses in Hollywood who openly represents this background. She has a sibling named Caesar Chavez.
Details about her parents remain largely private. She has been protective of her family life throughout her career. What is confirmed is that she was drawn to performing from a very young age.
Before acting, Lisseth worked as a model. That early experience gave her the screen confidence she later carried into complex TV roles. She transitioned from modeling to acting gradually, starting with reality television.
Lisseth Chavez Career Timeline
2009–2015: Early TV Appearances
- 2009 — Competed on ABC's reality series True Beauty
- 2011 — First professional acting credit in The Baby
- 2012–2015 — Guest roles on Southland, Shameless, and Rizzoli & Isles
- 2015 — Appeared in Lucifer and S.W.A.T. (CBS reboot)
2016–2019: Building Recognition
- 2016 — Recurring role in The Night Shift
- 2017–2018 — Featured character arc on The Fosters
- 2019 — Multi-episode appearances on Station 19 and The OA
2019–2020: Chicago Franchise Breakthrough
Lisseth joined NBC's iconic Chicago franchise as Officer Vanessa Rojas. Her character appeared across Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, and Chicago Fire. The role was originally designed to build long-term romantic tension with character Kevin Atwater.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted that story arc in 2020. It was announced that Chavez could not return to complete Vanessa Rojas's journey. The character was quietly written out, freeing Lisseth for a new opportunity.
In 2020, the prestigious Imagen Awards — known as the "Latino Golden Globes" — nominated her for Best Supporting Actress in Television for her Chicago P.D. work. That nomination was a major industry signal of her growing profile.
2021–2022: DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Lisseth joined DC's Legends of Tomorrow as Esperanza "Spooner" Cruz in Season 6. The character was a tech-savvy alien whisperer with a tragic backstory. She returned for Season 7, making Spooner one of the show's most beloved newer additions.
In the 2022 episode "The Fixed Point," Spooner Cruz came out as asexual. This made her the first canonically asexual character in the entire Arrowverse. It was a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation in superhero TV.
2022–2026: The Rookie (Series Regular)
Lisseth joined ABC's The Rookie in Season 5 as Officer Celina Juarez. She began as a guest star and was promoted to series regular. As of 2026, she remains a central character through Season 7.
Her character Celina is known for high marks at the police academy and an unconventional, instinct-driven approach to police work. In Season 7, showrunner Alexi Hawley has hinted at a slow-burn dynamic between Celina and newcomer Miles Penn (Deric Augustine). Fans have dubbed this potential pairing "Milina."
"She is a series regular on ABC's The Rookie playing Officer Celina Juarez." — ABC Official Cast Page
Lisseth Chavez Height, Weight, and Physical Stats
| Measurement | Detail |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in / 1.63 m |
| Weight | ~55–59 kg (121–130 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 34-26-34 inches (approx.) |
| Hair | Dark Brown / Black |
| Eyes | Dark Brown |
| Build | Slim, athletic |
Lisseth's on-screen presence is defined by her athletic build and expressive features. Her thick eyebrows, dimpled cheeks, and fuller lips are frequently noted by fans and media. She maintains a fit physique that suits her physically demanding TV roles.
Lisseth Chavez Net Worth in 2026
Lisseth Chavez's estimated net worth in 2026 sits between $1 million and $3 million. This figure reflects consistent TV work across three major networks over 15+ years.
Her income streams include:
- Series regular salary on ABC's The Rookie (est. $30,000–$75,000 per episode)
- Past recurring roles on NBC's Chicago franchise and The CW's Legends of Tomorrow
- Brand endorsements — including past campaigns for McDonald's and XFINITY
- Social media partnerships and influencer work on Instagram
Net worth estimates for Lisseth vary wildly across the internet — from $150,000 to $18 million. Those extremes are unreliable. The most credible range based on her career level and network TV rates is $1M–$3M as of 2026.
Want to explore how other TV actresses build their wealth? Check out this deep-dive on Ilia Isorelýs Paulino's net worth and career path for comparison.
Boyfriend and Relationship Status (2026)
Lisseth Chavez is in a long-term relationship with Sean McClaim. He is a Los Angeles-based screenwriter, actor, and producer. The couple has maintained a relatively private profile despite Lisseth's rising fame.
Sean McClaim began his career slowly, booking commercials before transitioning to full-time acting and writing. He is based in Los Angeles, the same city where Lisseth has built her career. The couple has not publicly announced marriage or engagement plans as of 2026.
Lisseth has kept her personal life off social media for the most part. She occasionally shares behind-the-scenes content from her TV work but rarely posts about her relationship. Fans respect that boundary, and it aligns with her generally grounded public persona.
Lisseth Chavez and LGBTQ+ Representation
One of Lisseth's most significant career moments was bringing an asexual character to the Arrowverse. When Spooner Cruz came out as asexual in Legends of Tomorrow Season 7 (2022), it was a first for DC TV. Lisseth has spoken positively about the importance of that storyline.
This role added a cultural weight to her career that goes beyond ratings. Asexual representation in superhero media was virtually nonexistent before this. It helped position Lisseth as more than just a talented actress — she became a representation milestone.
For fans interested in how other Latina and diverse actresses are reshaping Hollywood, the biography of Samantha Richelle offers additional reading on emerging diverse voices in entertainment.
Lisseth Chavez Complete Filmography
Television
| Year | Show | Role | Network |
| 2009 | True Beauty | Contestant | ABC |
| 2011 | The Baby | Guest | — |
| 2012 | Southland | Guest | TNT |
| 2013 | Shameless | Guest | Showtime |
| 2014 | Rizzoli & Isles | Guest | TNT |
| 2015 | Lucifer | Guest | Fox |
| 2016 | The Night Shift | Recurring | NBC |
| 2017–2018 | The Fosters | Recurring | Freeform |
| 2018 | S.W.A.T. | Ariana | CBS |
| 2019 | Station 19 | Recurring | ABC |
| 2019 | The OA | Recurring | Netflix |
| 2019–2020 | Chicago P.D. | Vanessa Rojas | NBC |
| 2019–2020 | Chicago Med | Vanessa Rojas | NBC |
| 2019–2020 | Chicago Fire | Vanessa Rojas | NBC |
| 2021–2022 | Legends of Tomorrow | Spooner Cruz | The CW |
| 2022–2026 | The Rookie | Celina Juarez | ABC |
Why Did Lisseth Chavez Leave Chicago P.D.?
This is one of the most searched questions about her. The short answer: COVID-19 disrupted production and reshaped the character's arc.
Vanessa Rojas was designed to be a long-term romantic interest for Kevin Atwater. The story was cut short when the pandemic halted Season 7 filming. When production restarted, it was announced that Chavez would not return.
Reports at the time noted the character "never entirely clicked with fans or the producers." Rather than force a storyline, the writers moved on. This opened the door for Lisseth to join Legends of Tomorrow, which arguably gave her a more creatively rich character to play.
It was a setback that turned into a springboard. That's a narrative worth knowing.
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Show | Result |
| 2020 | Imagen Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Television | Chicago P.D. | Nominated |
The Imagen Awards are considered the highest honor for Latino achievement in entertainment. A nomination from this body confirmed Lisseth's standing as a serious dramatic actress.
Lisseth Chavez Social Media Presence
- Instagram: Active account with behind-the-scenes content
- Twitter/X: Occasional industry updates
- Facebook: Maintained page with fan updates
She uses social media professionally rather than personally. You won't find candid couple photos or family moments. What you will find is professional engagement with her fan base around her current projects.
2026 Career Update
As of April 2026, Lisseth Chavez remains a series regular on The Rookie Season 8, which is in development. ABC has not announced a premiere date yet, but the series continues to perform strongly. Celina Juarez remains one of the show's most popular ensemble characters.
Her career trajectory from 2009 reality TV contestant to anchoring a top ABC drama over 17 years is remarkable. Few actresses working in network TV today have built their profile through this many different franchises.
For more on how TV actors build enduring careers across multiple networks, explore our full biography collection at BigWriteHook Biographies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lisseth Chavez
Q: How old is Lisseth Chavez in 2026?
A: Lisseth Chavez is 36 years old as of 2026. She was born on May 25, 1989, in California. She will turn 37 in May 2026.
Q: What is Lisseth Chavez best known for?
A: She is best known for playing Officer Celina Juarez on ABC's The Rookie and Esperanza "Spooner" Cruz on DC's Legends of Tomorrow. She also played Officer Vanessa Rojas across the NBC Chicago franchise.
Q: Why did Lisseth Chavez leave Chicago P.D.?
A: Her character Vanessa Rojas was written out after Season 7 production was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports indicated the character did not fully connect with the audience or production team, leading to the departure.
Q: Is Lisseth Chavez still on The Rookie in 2026?
A: Yes. As of 2026, Lisseth Chavez is a confirmed series regular on The Rookie as Officer Celina Juarez through Season 7. Season 8 is in development.
References
- Wikipedia — Lisseth Chavez: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisseth_Chavez
- IMDb — Lisseth Chavez Official Profile: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4438177/
- ABC Official Cast Page — The Rookie: https://abc.com/cast/ef7ca260-3a3a-47cd-b1d4-7345499b8806
- TVLine — Lisseth Chavez joins The Rookie Season 5: https://tvline.com/casting-news/the-rookie-cast-lisseth-chavez-season-5-legends-of-tomorrow-1234863980/
- The Rookie Fandom Wiki: https://the-rookie.fandom.com/wiki/Lisseth_Chavez
- Imagen Foundation Awards: https://www.imagenawards.org/
Last Updated: April 2026
