Bar Pali

Biography

Pali was born as Varvara Alexandrovna Paley (Варвара Александровна Палей) in the Urals of the Soviet Union (then the Soviet Union). In 1991, at the age of 9, she immigrated to Israel, where she changed her name to Barbara (Bar) Pali.

She grew up in Tel Aviv and attended the municipal high school's theater program in the city. Her parents, Olga (née Drov) and Alexander Pali, are of Russian-Jewish descent, with her grandmother serving in the Red Army during World War II.

At the age of 17, she began modeling, participating in the "Youth Mirror" competition and signing with the Yuli modeling agency.

She did not serve in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), claiming that there was a surplus of female conscripts in her draft year.

In Israel

Her prominent roles in Israel included the documentary TV series "Camera Alert," produced by Keshet in 2003, in which she portrayed Divi, the daughter of Max Tuna Schreiber, the first Israeli tightrope walker. She also appeared in the drama series "Love Beyond Corner" in the same year, playing the character Yulia, and in the musical "Speed and the Wheels of Magic" ("Musical on Wheels") by Yaron Kapach and Hanoch Rosen as Chrissy.

In 2004, she played Melanie in the film "Winning with Mickey Barkovich," and in 2007, she portrayed a waitress in the film "There Is No God." In 2012, she played Jennifer Schwartzbaum Goshen in the Israeli action drama series "New York" on yes. In June 2015, she was chosen to be an "Orange Girl."

In the United States

Pali moved to the United States, where her first role in the American television industry was in the dramatic television series "Filthy Gorgeous" (2006), alongside Isabella Rossellini. She later had guest roles in series such as "CSI: New York" (2007), "Unhitched" (2008), "The Starter Wife" (2008), and "How I Met Your Mother" (2010). In 2008, she portrayed an archaeologist in the horror film "The Ruins."

In 2012, she appeared in a supporting role in the comedy "Ted" alongside Mark Wahlberg. She also starred as Titania in the series "Game Shop."

In 2013, she gained recognition when she appeared in a pivotal supporting role as Serena Loomis in the action film "Pain & Gain," alongside Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson, directed by Michael Bay. Later that year, she also appeared in the thriller film "Non-Stop," alongside Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore. In the same year, she was ranked 52nd on Maxim magazine's list of the "100 Sexiest Women in the World."

In 2014, she appeared in the Disney sports drama "Million Dollar Arm" as a pivotal character alongside John Hamm. She also played a central role as Lauren De Iesini in the film "Headlock," starring alongside Dianna Agron and Andy Garcia, released in 2018.

In 2016, she played a supporting role as Denise in the thriller film "Push," alongside Pierce Brosnan.

From 2016 to 2017, she had a recurring role as Christina in the series "Jean-Claude Van Johnson," alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme.

From 2015 to 2021, she participated in the series "NCIS: Los Angeles" in a recurring role, portraying Anna Kolcheck.

In 2017 and 2018, she appeared in two episodes of the third season of the series "Legends of Tomorrow" (Helen of Troy). Additionally, in 2017, she guest-starred in several episodes of the series "Bosch" as Lani. Before that, she appeared in one episode of the series "Training Day" as Natalie.

In 2018, she guest-starred in one episode of the series "iZombie" as Amanda Louise.

In 2019, she played the role of Lauren De Iesini in the suspense film "Against The Clock," alongside Dianna Agron and Andy Garcia.

In 2021, she appeared in the crime thriller film "Painted Beauty" as Natalia, alongside Claire Holt.

Personal Life

In 2007, she married Jewish-Canadian screenwriter Ian Kessner, who volunteered on kibbutzim in Israel during his youth. In 2018, after 11 years of marriage, they divorced.

She currently resides in Los Angeles.

In 2016, Pali became a U.S. citizen.

In 2003, Pali shared in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth: "Abroad, I often encountered anti-Semitic remarks or criticism of Israel, and instead of being afraid and staying silent, I never held back and always engaged in verbal confrontations."