For 9 seasons, the Reagans from Blue Bloods have invited America to Sunday Dinner and have practically become our family. In Season 3, we meet NYPD Detective Maria Baez, the loyal partner to Danny Reagan, who helps solve crimes and keep criminals off the streets. We at PopMalt recently spent some time chatting with Marisa Ramirez, the talented actress who plays Baez. She gave us a great perspective on life, family, and the acclaimed hit series. (By the way, she is the sweetest, kindest person you could ever imagine!) PopMalt: “When you’re on a new TV show, having the show picked up for a second season is a big deal. Blue Bloods is in its 9th season. So, not only are you on this show that everyone loves, but you’ve been such a memorable character on the show for so long. How does it feel?”
Marisa: “It’s amazing. I was only supposed to do one episode. I’m from L.A., and I was flown out here [to NYC] to do one episode, and I will never forget my driver saying to me, “You’re the new partner.” Like, what are you talking about the “new” partner? I had no idea what Blue Bloods was. I didn’t know there were other partners. He kind of filled me in on the situation, and I was shocked. I never thought there would be a possibility of another episode.”
Upon her arrival, however, the actress immediately hit it off with co-star Donnie Wahlberg. “Donnie and I met and we had an instant chemistry. We just worked so well together, and got along so well [like], ‘You should stay for another episode,’ and then I kept…for seven episodes. I was here. It was just crazy how it happened. I expected to go back home!”
I think we can all agree that Baez was one of the best things that ever happened to the show. Marisa opened up about her unexpected journey to New York City. She was starting a whole new life. “I still pinch myself, because I’m so blown away! You know, I think when I’m out there auditioning for pilots and for shows, ‘Oh, this would be a good one.’ ‘Oh, this would be great.’ You know, you always say, ‘I’d love.’ to be on a show that lasts for a while,’ but it happened! Now, I’ve been here for 6 years. It’s insane!”
Marisa definitely paid her dues to get to this point. Growing up in Los Angeles, Ramirez started modeling at the age of 12. After her parents’ divorce, she grew up with her mother, who was always supportive of her entertainment pursuits. She continued modeling throughout high school where she did department store catalogs and commercials.
“I went to an all-girls Catholic high school where you’re only allowed to miss 15 days a semester, and if you miss more than that you have to retake the semester. I remember, my mom and I had it down! I missed 14 1/2 days of each class because I was leaving to go work. I almost didn’t graduate high school, because I was working all the time.”
Marisa did graduate, however, and, in 1997 her modeling career eventually led into acting.
“After high school, I decided to travel [doing] modeling, instead of going to college. I lived in Sydney, Singapore, South Africa, Italy—and then, I started to realize, ‘I can’t be a model. I want to talk! I want to start talking now. All these are people are talking about me in other languages, and I can’t understand what they’re saying—No. This isn’t for me anymore.’” Over the next 16 years, Marisa found her calling as an actress. “So, I went home, and I got with the theatrical department of my modeling agency, and they started sending me auditions. I got into an acting class, and then I started hosting with MTV, and then, then I started, you know, acting, getting jobs, and it was awesome. It was kind of like I had been groomed since a little kid, you know—my mom gave me the confidence that I could do something like this. And, it paid off.”
It took Marisa’s father a little while to warm up to the idea of her acting, but over time he became her biggest fan as well. “Haha, you know. It’s hard. He wanted me to go to college and do something with more job security, but he’s so happy now, and proud of me now—he sees it.”
Ramirez has appeared in multiple films, TV shows, and even music videos.
PopMalt: “Speaking of the late 90s…you were in a Backstreet Boys video!”
Marisa: “I was in a lot of videos, yup! I did a Backstreet Boys video.”
PopMalt: “I love how you were in ‘As Long as You Love Me’!”
Marisa: “Yeah! Haha. I also did the Jordan Knight video when he did a solo album, which was so funny, because now here I am all these years later working with Donnie, [and] they were in New Kids on the Block together.”
PopMalt: “That’s so cool! Coming back full circle, almost.”
Marisa: “I know, I make the rounds. Hahaha!”
We also had the opportunity to discuss some of the fun logistics of Blue Bloods. We wanted to see how much Wahlberg and Ramirez are like Reagan and Baez in real life.
PopMalt: “How much are you guys like your characters
