Paula Garces was born on March 20th 1974 in Medellín, Colombia. Her father was a fisherman and her mother a schoolteacher. She moved to the United States very early in life and grew up in Spanish Harlem, New York. Before turning to acting she once pursued a career in kick-boxing and also being a personal trainer in New York City.

She first drew Hollywood's attention when she toplined Paramount's 2002 teen sci-fi adventure Clockstoppers starring opposite Jesse Bradford, directed by Jonathan Frakes, and produced by Gale Anne Hurd and Albie Hecht. Paramount quickly became a fan and cast her in Richard Benjamin's hip-hop comedy Marci X opposite Lisa Kudrow and Damon Wayans.

Garces was next be seen opposite academy award winner Tommy Lee Jones in the Revolution Studios feature Man of the House. Garces was recently featured on Jerry Bruckheimer's hit show CSI: Miami and last year starred in a six episode arc on NBC's Law and Order: Special Victims Unit as well as doing a guest spots on HBO's hit series, The Sopranos and Oz. While filming Law & Order: SVU, Garces was offered a role she could not refuse, to sign on as a new cast member on FX's hit television series The Shield. Paula's character Officer Tina Hallon brought new story lines and high ratings. Her contract was extended for three more seasons, once again securing her position as a rising Latina star!

In one of her first films, she nabbed a starring role opposite James Van Der Beek and Mary McCormick, in the 1997 indie drama, Harvest (aka Cash Crop). Other film credits include: James Redford's directorial debut, Spin, opposite Ruben Blades, Stanley Tucci, Dana Delany and Ryan Merriman, the critically-acclaimed Hangin' with the Homeboys, Michael J. Fox's comedy Life with Mikey, and Jerry Bruckheimer's urban drama Dangerous Minds, starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

Garces will next be seen in New Line's 2008 summer release Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, the sequel to the wildly successful cult hit, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. Expanding her career further, Paula is now working behind the cameras as Executives Producer to the animated film Red Princess Blues Animated, already receiving great reviews at numerous film festivals. She can be heard voicing the lead character Princess in the animated film, which is a prequel to the live action feature film which she will be star and co-produce with writer, director Alex Ferrari.
Garces and husband Hernandez own "From Earth to You Cafe" in New York City. She was born in Medellin, Colombia. Entered the world of producing in 2008 with her first two projects "Red Princess Blues" and its prequel "Red Princess Blues: Animated - The Book of Violence".