Lina Esco is an American actress, producer, director, and activist who rose to fame for portraying Officer Christina “Chris” Alonso on CBS’s S.W.A.T. from 2017 to 2022. She is also recognized as the founder of the Free the Nipple movement and The Human Campaign, championing gender equality and women’s rights. The multitalented entertainer has built a remarkable career spanning film, television, directing, and social activism.
Quick Wiki/Bio About Lina Esco
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Lina Esco |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | May 14, 1985 |
| Age | 40 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Miami, Florida, United States |
| Current residence | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Heritage | Colombian |
| Zodiac sign | Taurus |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Sexual orientation | Bisexual |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 128 lbs (58 kg) |
| Hair colour | Brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Body measurements | 35-25-35 inches |
| Marital status | Single |
| Partner | Agnese Cabala (rumored) |
| Children | None |
| Alma mater | Colegio Bolívar, Colombia; University of Southern California (MA program) |
| Profession | Actress, Director, Producer, Activist, Model |
| Net worth | $1.5 million – $5 million (estimated) |
Who is Lina Esco?
Lina Esco is a Colombian-American actress and activist born on May 14, 1985, in Miami, Florida. She first captured public attention in 2007 when she played Katie Vega, the daughter of Jimmy Smits’ character, in the CBS drama Cane.
Beyond acting, Esco has made her mark as a passionate advocate for gender equality, founding the groundbreaking Free the Nipple movement and The Human Campaign organization focused on ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment.
The actress gained widespread recognition for her five-season run on CBS’s hit series S.W.A.T., where she portrayed Christina “Chris” Alonso, a bisexual Latina tactical officer. Her character became a fan favorite for breaking stereotypes and representing diverse identities on mainstream television.
How old is Lina Esco? Age and birthday
Lina Esco is 40 years old as of January 2026. She was born on May 14, 1985, in Miami, Florida, making her a Taurus by zodiac sign. The actress celebrated her milestone 40th birthday in May 2025.
Lina Esco’s height, weight, and body measurements
Lina Esco stands 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighs around 128 pounds (58 kg). Her body measurements are 35-25-35 inches, reflecting her background as a former model.
The actress has brown hair and brown eyes, and she maintains a slim, athletic physique that served her well in action-oriented roles like S.W.A.T.
Educational background
Lina Esco attended Colegio Bolívar, a private American school in Cali, Colombia, during part of her childhood. After moving to France as a teenager, she worked as a model before relocating to London to pursue theater work.
In 2015, she was accepted into the Cinema and Media Studies Master of Arts program at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, showcasing her commitment to expanding her filmmaking knowledge.
Career
Early beginnings and modeling
Lina Esco began her career as a model in France after leaving Miami as a teenager. She worked with various fashion brands and magazines before transitioning to acting.
Her modeling background provided her with confidence and experience in front of the camera that would later benefit her acting career.
Film career
Esco made her film debut in 2005 with London, starring alongside Chris Evans and Jessica Biel. She played Kelly, a supporting character in the romantic drama.
The actress continued building her filmography with roles in various independent films, including Kingshighway (2010) and the comedy LOL (2012), which also featured Miley Cyrus.
In 2014, Esco wrote, directed, produced, and starred in Free the Nipple, a film addressing gender inequality and censorship of female bodies.
The movie, inspired by her activism, sparked a global social media movement with the same name and positioned Esco as a filmmaker with a distinct voice on social justice issues.
Her recent work includes roles in the independent features Doors and Full-Dress with Christopher Abbott.
Most exciting for fans, Esco will appear in The Rip, an action thriller directed by Joe Carnahan, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, scheduled for release on Netflix in January 2026.
Television career
Esco’s breakthrough television role came in 2007 when she portrayed Katie Vega in the CBS drama Cane, playing the daughter of Jimmy Smits’ lead character.
From 2016, she had a recurring role as Ava Flores in the Audience Network series Kingdom, which focused on a mixed martial arts gym.
Her most prominent television role was playing Officer Christina “Chris” Alonso on CBS’s S.W.A.T. from 2017 to 2022.
As the only female member of the elite tactical unit, Esco’s character made history as a bisexual Latina officer, bringing much-needed representation to primetime television. During her time on the show, she also made her directorial debut, helming an episode in season five.
Esco announced her departure from S.W.A.T. at the end of season five in 2022, stating she wanted to pursue new creative opportunities.
Her character’s exit was written as Chris leaving the team to run a safehouse for immigrant women seeking asylum, a storyline that aligned with the character’s values and the actress’s real-world activism.
The actress also appeared in the Netflix comedy series Flaked, created by and starring Will Arnett, playing the character Kara in a recurring role during 2016-2017.
Directing and producing
Beyond acting, Lina Esco has established herself as a director and producer. Her most notable directorial work is the 2014 film Free the Nipple, which she also wrote and produced.
The film premiered at various film festivals and launched a massive social movement challenging gender inequality in censorship laws.
Esco produced and directed two public service announcements for The Cove, the 2009 dolphin documentary that won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2010. Her production work demonstrates her commitment to environmental and animal welfare causes.
In March 2022, Esco directed an episode of S.W.A.T., making her broadcast television directorial debut. This milestone showcased her growth from actress to multi-hyphenate creator behind the camera.
In March 2025, Esco signed with Buchwald talent agency for representation, signaling her continued pursuit of acting, directing, and producing opportunities across film and television.
What is Lina Esco’s net worth?
As of 2026, Lina Esco’s net worth is estimated between $1.5 million and $5 million. Different sources provide varying estimates, with some outlets reporting $1.5 million while others suggest up to $5 million based on her extensive television and film work.
Her wealth comes from multiple income streams, including her five-season run as a series regular on CBS’s S.W.A.T., where she earned a substantial salary per episode.
Other sources of income include film roles, directing projects, producing work, modeling in her early career, and appearances at speaking engagements about activism and filmmaking.
The actress’s upcoming role in the high-profile Netflix film The Rip alongside Matt Damon and Ben Affleck will likely boost her earnings and visibility, potentially increasing her net worth in 2026 and beyond.
Is Lina Esco married? Partner, dating history, and relationship status
Lina Esco is not married and does not have a wife or husband. The actress has maintained a relatively private personal life, rarely discussing her romantic relationships publicly.
She is openly bisexual, and her character on S.W.A.T. also identified as bisexual, providing important LGBTQ+ representation on network television.
In 2023, Lina Esco sparked romance rumors when she posted a photo on Instagram kissing hairstylist Agnese Cabala during Pride celebrations.
The intimate image led fans and media outlets to speculate about their relationship status. Cabala works as a professional hairstylist in the entertainment industry and has collaborated with Esco on various photo shoots and projects.
While Esco has not publicly confirmed Cabala as her partner or girlfriend, the two have been spotted together at multiple events and have shared vacation photos on social media. As of January 2026, Esco has made no official statement about her current relationship status.
Earlier in her career, Esco was reportedly in a relationship with Fabrice Gautier around 2010, though details about this relationship remain limited.
The actress has consistently chosen to keep her dating life away from the spotlight, focusing public attention on her professional work and activism instead.
Does Lina Esco have children?
Lina Esco does not have any children. The 40-year-old actress has not publicly discussed plans for motherhood and appears focused on her career in entertainment and her activism work. There are no records of Esco having biological or adopted children.
Activism and social impact
Free the Nipple movement
Lina Esco is best known in activist circles as the founder of the Free the Nipple movement, which she launched in 2012. The campaign began when Esco filmed herself running topless through the streets of New York City as teaser footage for her documentary film.
She posted clips with the hashtag #FreeTheNipple, which quickly went viral and became one of the largest online movements of the decade.
The movement challenges the censorship of female nipples while male nipples remain unrestricted, highlighting what Esco views as fundamental gender inequality.
Free the Nipple advocates for women’s right to be topless in public spaces and on social media platforms, arguing that the sexualization and criminalization of female bodies perpetuate harmful double standards.
The campaign has gained support from celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Cara Delevingne, and Scout Willis. The hashtag has been used millions of times across Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms, sparking international conversations about body autonomy, censorship, and gender equality.
The Human Campaign
In 2017, Esco launched The Human Campaign, an organization dedicated to ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The ERA, first proposed in 1923, seeks to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex and eliminate legal distinctions between men and women in divorce, property, employment, and other matters.
Through The Human Campaign, Esco works to educate the public about the importance of the ERA and mobilize support for its ratification.
She has spoken at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics and the Teen Vogue Summit about the campaign, using her platform to bring attention to women’s rights issues.
Other causes
Esco is an avid supporter of animal welfare organizations, particularly those focused on protecting whales and dolphins. She produced and directed PSAs for The Cove documentary, raising awareness about dolphin hunting practices.
The actress has also been vocal about the #MeToo movement, sharing her own experiences with sexual assault and harassment to help other survivors feel less alone.
Lina Esco’s heritage and family background
Lina Esco is of Colombian descent and holds Colombian heritage, though she was born in Miami, Florida, and holds American nationality.
While born in the United States, she spent part of her childhood in Colombia, where she attended Colegio Bolívar in Cali.
Esco has kept details about her parents and family largely private. She has not publicly shared information about her mother, father, or whether she has siblings.
The actress moved to France as a teenager, suggesting an international upbringing that influenced her worldview and later activism.
Her Colombian heritage has been important to her career, as she has portrayed Latina characters and spoken about the importance of diverse representation in Hollywood.
During Hispanic Heritage Month in 2019, Esco honored civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, highlighting her pride in her cultural background.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Lina Esco has approximately 456,000 followers on Instagram (@linaesco), where she is most active. Her Instagram bio describes her as “actor/director + founder @freethenipple & @thehumancampaignorg,” reflecting her multifaceted identity.
Esco uses her social media platforms to share professional updates about her acting projects, behind-the-scenes content from photo shoots, and information about her activism work.
She regularly posts about social justice causes, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ issues, and environmental conservation. Her feed balances artistic photography, personal moments, and advocacy content, giving followers insight into both her creative and activist sides.
The actress maintains a thoughtful, curated presence on Instagram, using the platform to amplify marginalized voices and promote causes she believes in rather than focusing solely on self-promotion.
What is Lina Esco doing now in 2026?
As of January 2026, Lina Esco is preparing for the release of The Rip, an action thriller directed by Joe Carnahan.
The film stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as Miami police partners who discover $24 million in cash and must survive the night while facing internal and external threats. Esco plays Captain Jackie Velez in the film, which premieres on Netflix on January 16, 2026.
The actress signed with Buchwald talent agency in March 2025, indicating active pursuit of new acting, directing, and producing projects.
She continues her activism work with Free the Nipple and The Human Campaign, using her platform to advocate for gender equality and women’s rights.
Esco remains a prominent voice in conversations about representation in Hollywood, particularly for Latina and LGBTQ+ communities.
While she stepped away from S.W.A.T. in 2022 to explore new creative opportunities, fans eagerly await announcements about her next television or film roles following The Rip’s release.
Fast facts about Lina Esco
- Lina Esco worked as a model in France during her teenage years before transitioning to acting.
- She made her film debut in London (2005), acting alongside Chris Evans and Jessica Biel.
- Esco founded the Free the Nipple movement in 2012, which became one of the largest online social movements of the decade.
- She attended Colegio Bolívar, an American school in Cali, Colombia, during her childhood.
- The actress is openly bisexual and portrayed a bisexual character on S.W.A.T., providing important LGBTQ+ representation.
- Esco produced PSAs for The Cove, the Oscar-winning documentary about dolphin hunting.
- She was accepted into the University of Southern California’s Cinema and Media Studies Master of Arts program in 2015.
- Lina Esco made her television directorial debut by directing an episode of S.W.A.T. in March 2022.
- She launched The Human Campaign in 2017 to advocate for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment.
- Esco will appear in The Rip alongside Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, premiering on Netflix in January 2026.
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Wrapping up
Lina Esco has built an impressive career as an actress, director, producer, and activist. From her early days modeling in France to her breakout role on S.W.A.T., she has consistently used her platform to champion gender equality and diverse representation.
At 40 years old, Esco continues to evolve as an artist and advocate, with exciting projects like The Rip demonstrating her staying power in Hollywood.
Her work with Free the Nipple and The Human Campaign has cemented her legacy beyond entertainment, making her a true multihyphenate force in both arts and activism.
References
- Wikipedia. “Lina Esco”.
- IMDb. “Lina Esco – Biography”.
- TUKO.co.ke. “Lina Esco: Spouse, net worth, nationality, measurements, movies & TV shows”.
- Legit.ng. “Meet Lina Esco who played Christina Alonso in S.W.A.T.”.
- SlashFilm. “Why Lina Esco’s Christina Alonso Left SWAT”.
- Deadline. “Lina Esco Signs With Buchwald”.
- Variety. “Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s ‘RIP’ Adds ‘S.W.A.T.’ Actor Lina Esco”.
- Netflix. “Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Are Teaming Up for The Rip”.
- Amomama. “Lina Esco’s Relationships: Actress Kissed Agnese Cabala at Pride”.
- CBS News. “Lina Esco: My Miami Story”.
- Town & Country. “SWAT’s Lina Esco is an Action Star and Activist”.
- MONROWE Magazine. “Freedom Fighter: Lina Esco”.
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