Inside the life story of Renée Felice Smith and her rise in the world of entertainment
Renée Felice Smith, a multi-talented Hollywood actress, gained recognition for playing Nell Jones, an intelligence analyst, on NCIS: Los Angeles. The actress and her partner, Christopher Gabriel, are deeply involved in the TV and film world. This biography delves deep inside the life story of Renée Felice Smith.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Renée Felice Smith's profile summary
- Inside the life story of Renée Felice Smith
- Renée Felice Smith's age
- Renée Felice Smith's family
- Renée Felice Smith's education
- How did Renée Felice Smith start acting?
- Renée Felice Smith's career history
- Renée Felice Smith's net worth
- Is Renee Felice married?
- How long has Renée Felice Smith's relationship been?
- Has Renée Felice Smith written any books?
- What is Renée Felice Smith's illness?
- Is Renée Felice Smith pregnant?
- Does Renée Felice Smith have kids?
- Where is Renée Felice Smith today?
- Renée Felice Smith's measurements
- Facts about Renée Felice Smith
Key takeaways
- Renée made her career debut when she was six years old.
- She co-writes and directs films with her life partner, Chris Gabriel.
- Their long-standing relationship began in middle school.
Renée Felice Smith's profile summary
| Full name | Renée Felice Smith |
| Birthdate | January 16, 1985 |
| Age | 40 years (as of 2025) |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Birthplace | New York, USA |
| Residence | USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Ancestry | Italian–Irish |
| Eye color | Hazel |
| Hair color | Red |
| Mother | Karen Felice Smith |
| Father | Paulie Felice |
| Sibling | Monika Felice Smith (sister) |
| Relationship status | In a relationship |
| Partner | Christopher Gabriel |
| Occupation | Actress, writer, producer, and director |
| Net worth | $4 million (estimated) |
| @reneefelicesmith | |
| @ReneeFeliceSmith |
Inside the life story of Renée Felice Smith
Renée Felice Smith is an American actress, writer, and director, best known for her role as Nell Jones on NCIS: Los Angeles.
Many who love her television and film roles appreciate her acting abilities, the intelligence she brings to complex characters, and the compelling stories she helps create, such as those in NCIS: Los Angeles and The Relationtrip.
The actress also brings a level of authenticity to her characters that allows audiences to connect with them on a deeper level, making her roles memorable.
Source: Original
Renée Felice Smith's age
Born on January 16, 1985, Renée Felice Smith is 40 years old (as of 2025).
Renée Felice Smith's family
The actress was born in New York City, USA, to her mother, Karen Felice Smith, and her father, Paulie Felice. She grew up alongside her sister Monika Felice Smith.
Renée has a close relationship with her family, whom she often speaks highly of and shares photos and updates about on social media.
For instance, on her dad's 86th birthday in January 2022, she posted his image on Instagram with a caption:
HAPPY HAPPY 86th swing around the sun to my fellow hat-loving Capricorn, my POPS, Paulie Felice! How lucky we are to be in your presence, today and every day. ❤️💫 big squeeze! Kiss kiss! 📸: taken on Christmas Day after opening his many hats! #woolbuckethatFTW.
Also, when asked in one of her interviews who her inspiration was, Renée named her mother, saying:
My mom. She's really a creative person. I've always admired her.
Source: UGC
Renée Felice Smith's education
Renée attended Patchogue-Medford High School in Long Island, New York, and studied Journalism and History at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.
The actress also trained at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and Stonestreet Studios.
How did Renée Felice Smith start acting?
Renée has always dreamed of becoming an actress since childhood. So, in 1991, she landed her first acting job on a national TV ad for Dannon Yoghurt at the age of six and later did a voice-over for Kool-Aid.
Though she stopped auditioning for a time due to the commitment of traveling for work, Smith later pursued a professional acting career.
Renée Felice Smith's career history
Like many other Hollywood actresses do when starting out, she decided to hone her craft in the world of theatre. Renée performed Off-Broadway and at the Sundance Theatre Lab, her stage debut playing Wildflower.
In 2008, the actress made her television debut in a TV series titled Viralcom, where she played a minor role. Her next on-screen role, Nell Jones in the NCIS: Los Angeles TV show, made her a household name in the United States.
Two years later, Smith landed her first movie role in a 2010 TV film, The Wyoming Story.
Source: UGC
Why did Renée Felice Smith leave NCIS LA?
Renée, an ambitious individual, left NCIS: Los Angeles to pursue other professional interests, including film and television projects. The show's creators wanted to give the ambitious actors time to work on personal ventures.
Additionally, her character, Nell Jones, experienced significant growth and was ready for new challenges, leading to a mutual decision for her to leave the show for a new direction.
Smith was part of the show's cast from the second season in 2010 until the twelfth season. Online speculations about her exit from the show began after episode 19 of season 11 was aired.
In the episode, Nell Jones revealed her intention to resign from NCIS, which was quite understandable for many viewers. Hetty's response to her resignation in episode 19 was:
You are an important part of this team, with several weeks of unused vacation days... If I don't hear from you once they've elapsed, you can consider yourself resigned.
Nell's exit from NCIS was a result of some emotional and mentally draining issues the character had been through, which included her mother’s ill health and relationship problems.
Based on her conversation with Hetty, the NCIS: Los Angeles Operations Manager, there are speculations that actress Renée Smith would return to the show in the future, and she did, making a guest appearance in the series finale.
Fans who had been left wondering, "Is Renee Smith leaving NCIS: Los Angeles permanently?" were relieved to see her character, Nell, in the final episode.
Nell did not sign on as the new NCIS Operations Manager. Instead, she left the NCIS and joined her partner, Eric Beale, in Tokyo, Japan, to co-run his international tech company, marking an ending to their time with the show.
Source: UGC
What movies has Renée Felice Smith been in?
Renée Smith is known for her roles in NCIS: Los Angeles (2009), The Relationtrip (2017), and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005).
Nonetheless, Smith has not featured in many projects. According to IMDb, she has several credits as an actress, director, producer, and writer. Below is a list of Renée Felice Smith's movies and TV shows as an actress:
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2008 | Viralcom | Auditioner |
| 2010 | The Wyoming Story | Dinah Thorpe |
| 2010–2021; 2023 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Nell Jones |
| 2011 | Detachment | Missy |
| 2014 | Nanny Cam | Jess |
| 2014 | Code Academy | Frankie |
| 2015 | Baby | Naomi |
| 2015 | The Price Is Right | Herself |
| 2017 | That Thing with the Cat! | Emma |
| 2017 | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Belle |
| 2017 | The Relationtrip | Beck |
As a director, producer, and writer, Renée has worked on:
- The Relationtrip (2017) – producer, director, writer
- Baby (2015) – producer
- Go Fish (2014) – producer, director, writer
- Young(ish) (2013) – producer, director, writer
- Pivot (2016) – director
What awards has Renée Felice Smith won?
Smith won a SET Award for her portrayal of a female in technology in 2015 and a Dallas International Film Festival Grand Jury Prize in 2017 for the film The Relationtrip. So far in Renée Felice Smith's career, the actress has won two awards out of five nominations.
Renée Felice Smith's net worth
The actress has an estimated net worth of $4 million. She makes her earnings not only from acting but also from writing, directing, and producing.
Source: UGC
Is Renee Felice married?
The actress is not married but is in a long-term relationship with her partner, Christopher Gabriel. The two met in middle school and now work together on various creative projects, including film, television, and books.
Though the exact start date of their relationship as a couple is not explicitly stated, Renee Felice Smith and Christopher Gabriel, by all accounts, have been together for a significant portion of their lives.
Their partnership and close bond are emphasized by their mutual creative endeavors and shared history.
Renée Felice Smith's partner is a Hollywood film score composer, director, and producer. He also has experience in software music engineering and editing, which aids his work on film.
How long has Renée Felice Smith's relationship been?
Considering Gabriel and Renée first met in the sixth grade, which is over two decades ago (since Renée was born in 1985), the two may not be legally married, but have been together for so long that people regard him as Renée Felice Smith's husband.
Has Renée Felice Smith written any books?
Renée Smith and Christopher Gabriel's first children's book series, Hugo and the Impossible Thing, was released in March 2021.
The book aims to encourage readers, especially children, to tackle challenges and overcome seemingly impossible obstacles with determination.
Its story was inspired by their real-life experience with their French bulldog, Hugo, who survived a life-threatening illness.
Source: UGC
What is Renée Felice Smith's illness?
Renée Felice Smith has dealt with anxiety and depression. While being interviewed with Chris Gabriel about their short film, Hoodie, in August 2024, she told Cinema Femme:
Mental health seems to be a main focus for us in our work. I feel like whenever I see someone portrayed and struggling with mental health onscreen, it generally looks like someone who is a train wreck on the outside, like “the crazy girl” who just doesn’t have it under control.
From my experience, I’ve dealt with anxiety and depression. On the outside, most of my friends think that I’ve got it under control. They say things like: ‘Oh yeah, Renée, we don’t have to worry about Renée.’
Meanwhile, her French bulldog Hugo was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which she and her doctors ultimately managed through specialized treatment, enabling him to live a full life.
Hugo's recovery was a miracle. The tumor was nearly inoperable, and many thought it would be impossible for him to survive.
Is Renée Felice Smith pregnant?
Renée is not pregnant; rumors of her pregnancy in early 2019 were based on speculation about her appearance in NCIS: Los Angeles, but there has been no official confirmation or evidence of her being pregnant.
Many who noticed Renee Felice Smith's weight gain in NCIS LA season 4 and her character, Nell Jones, wearing quite unusual baggy clothes with shoulder pads, thought she was pregnant.
Her appearance raised the question, 'Is Nell Jones pregnant in real life?' and stories alleging the actress was spotted with a baby bump while on a romantic dinner date with her long-time partner added fuel to the gossip.
Reports further claimed that on that dinner date, the actress made a toast twice with a glass of water instead of wine. These observations sparked pregnancy rumours on social media, with some fans going as far as congratulating the actress.
Source: UGC
Well, Renée Felice Smith's weight gain and Nell's costumes were not indications that the actress was pregnant.
There is no evidence of Smith being pregnant or having a baby bump in 2019. When asked to comment on the rumors, Renee's representative said:
I do not comment on her personal life.
Does Renée Felice Smith have kids?
Renée does not have children but has multiple foster and rescue dogs she refers to as "kids" or "boys," including a dog named Gidget and another named Gertie, who are mentioned on her Instagram.
Where is Renée Felice Smith today?
Renée Felice Smith is likely based in Long Island, New York, given recent social media posts from late September 2024 and a November 2024 post about a virtual storytime she attended with her partner, Christopher Gabriel, in Long Island.
While her exact current location is not specified, she most likely continues to be active in writing, directing, and producing films with Gabriel.
Renée Felice Smith's measurements
The actress is 5 feet 1.5 inches (1.56 m) tall and weighs around 57 kg. You can find Renée Felice Smith's hot pics on her official Instagram page and through stock photo sites.
Many have complimented Renee Felice Smith's hot figure and natural appearance. Her pretty looks, combined with the styling of her character, Nell Jones, on NCIS: Los Angeles, contributed to her youth and attractiveness on screen.
Source: UGC
Facts about Renée Felice Smith
- While at NYU, Smith co-created a student dance troupe, Pulse Dance Project.
- Renée is a passionate advocate for animals and dog rescue.
- She fosters rescue dogs through the LA shelters.
- She raised awareness about LA's overcrowded dog shelters via Instagram.
- She adopted a dog called Mabel.
- She promotes the North Shore Animal League's Mutt-i-grees Curriculum.
- Renée and Gabriel's book, Hugo, is based on their dog, Hugo.
- She is a board member for the Vet Cannab*is Society.
- She advocates for access to therapeutic pet CBD products, sharing her dogs' positive experiences with it on her Instagram.
- Smith and her partner, Gabriel, also co-directed their first film, The Relationtrip, in 2017.
- The couple has co-produced multiple short films, including Pivot (2016), Go Fish (2014), and Hoodie.
After having a glimpse inside the life story of Renée Felice Smith, you can tell that the actress and her partner play a significant role in each other's career growth. Gabriel's work as a film, television, and theatre composer means they often work in the same industry, which can foster mutual support and inspiration.
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