1. Dascha Yolaine Polanco was born on December 3,1982 and is a Dominican actress.
15 Facts About Dascha Polanco
1. 2.
Dascha Polanco is known for portraying the role of Dayanara "Daya" Diaz on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, and for the role of Cuca in the 2021 film In the Heights.
3.
Dascha Polanco was raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and Miami by her father, a mechanic, and mother, a cosmetologist.
4.
Dascha Polanco is the oldest of three children; she has a brother and sister.
5.
Dascha Polanco aspired to be an actress from an early age but "always doubted auditioning because of her weight", so she completed a bachelor's degree in psychology at Hunter College, as a first generation college student.
6.
Dascha Polanco was working in hospital administration at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx while studying nursing when she gained the courage to pursue acting again and registered herself with an acting studio.
7.
Dascha Polanco attended BIH Studios in New York, and while there was signed by the talent agency Shirley Grant Management.
8.
Dascha Polanco's first acting credits were minor parts in the television series Unforgettable and NYC 22.
9.
In 2012, Dascha Polanco was cast in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black as Dayanara "Daya" Diaz.
10.
In 2013, Dascha Polanco appeared in the independent film Gimme Shelter before returning to her role on Orange Is the New Black for the show's second season.
11.
Dascha Polanco appeared in the comedy films The Cobbler and Joy, and starred in the film The Perfect Match.
12.
In 2018, Dascha Polanco had a recurring role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, and in 2019, she had a recurring role in Netflix series, Russian Doll and When They See Us.
13.
In 2021, Dascha Polanco played the role of Cuca, one of the lead salon ladies, in the film In the Heights.
14.
In 2025, Dascha Polanco starred as Michelle Borgas in the Lifetime film Terror Comes Knocking: The Michelle Borgas Story, a part of the channel's "Ripped from the Headlines" feature films.
15.
Dascha Polanco's daughter portrayed a younger version of Polanco's character in the fifth season of Orange is the New Black.