You probably know Peter Scanavino as ADA Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr. from the TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
On the show, he’s got a thing for Detective Amanda Rollins. But did you know that in real life, Scanavino is happily married?
This article will focus on his lovely marriage to Lisha Bai and their journey as parents to their kids. We’ll show you a side of Scanavino that you might not have seen before – his life outside the TV screen, where love and family are the main stars.
Peter Scanavino is happily married to his wife, Lisha Bai
Scanavino and his wife, Bai, met while working on Law & Order. Their love story and dating history led to their marriage in July 2011.
Bai, born on June 11, 1979, in the USA, is a bit older than her husband, born on February 29, 1980, in Colorado. As of December 2022, Lisha is 43 and Peter is 42. Their age difference adds a unique touch to their relationship.
In a lovely anniversary tweet, Scanavino shared that they’ve been married for a decade, and meeting Bai was the best thing ever happening to him. Their love keeps growing.
Peter Scanavino on a date with his wife, Lisha Bai (Source: Twitter)
But Bai is so much more than just a celebrity wife. She’s also a talented painter and artist. She got her MFA in Painting/Printmaking from Yale University after finishing at Washington University. She’s well-known in the art and design world.
From 2008 to 2016, she taught fine arts, art, and design education at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. She was also a visiting artist at places like Lehman College, Rhode Island School of Design, and the Rubin Museum of Art between 2006 and 2010.
Bai’s art has been displayed throughout the US, in cities like New York, Philadelphia, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Minneapolis. Her talent isn’t limited to the US; she recently had an exhibition at Dense Mesh in London.
Peter Scanavino shares three children with Lisha Bai
Scanavino and Bai are the proud parents of three lovely children. While their first child’s arrival date remains a mystery, they welcomed their son Sid into the world.
Sid is an enormous ice hockey enthusiast and an avid supporter of the New York Islanders center, Matthew Barzal. Seeing how their son’s passion for the sport has taken root is heartwarming.
Their second child, Leo, was born in January 2016. Scanavino celebrated this moment by sharing a heartwarming picture of his newborn son on Twitter, saying, “Welcome to the world, Leo.”
This sweet gesture reflects his joy and love for his growing family. As for their third child, the exact date of arrival remains unknown.
Peter Scanavino shared the picture of his three children on Twitter (Source: Twitter)
Scanavino’s Twitter feed tells a tale of their family life. He once posted a tweet featuring their three kids eagerly watching a hockey game on TV, captioned with, “The kids are ready. Let’s go isles.”
All of his children were dressed in New York Islanders jerseys. Sid proudly displayed Barzal’s name and jersey number on the back of his jersey, while Leo had his name embroidered.
The family’s littlest member had a blank jersey, perhaps waiting to choose his favorite player.
In this snapshot, the three brothers stood together, captivated by an ongoing NHL game on television. Scanavino and Bai are nurturing their children’s love for hockey and creating beautiful family memories together.
This suggests that Scanavino and his wife nurture a shared love for hockey in their children. Along with it, their home is also filled with beautiful artworks that showcase Bai’s artistic talents.
Their journey as parents is filled with love, sports, and the arts, making for a delightful and well-rounded family story.
Peter Scanavino’s bio and career
Scanavino is familiar to many as A.D.A. Sonny Carisi Jr. on the long-running NBC series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. However, his career extends beyond this iconic role.
In television and film, his most notable appearance is in the Netflix series Social Distance. He has also contributed to productions such as The Cold Lands, Mutual Friends, and The Leftovers, an HBO series.
Additionally, he left his mark on the Cinemax series Banshee and the CBS drama The Good Wife.
Similarly, Scanavino has also ventured into theatre. He made his Broadway debut in 2006, gaining recognition for his role in the Tony-nominated play Shining City, directed by Robert Falls.
Peter Scanavino in ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ (Source: IMDb)
His stage repertoire includes performances in Boys’ Life, Suburbia, Rainbow Kiss, and David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face.
Beyond his acting career, he temporarily stepped away from the spotlight to pursue a passion for culinary arts in 2010. He enrolled at The French Culinary Institute in New York City, where he honed his culinary skills.
During this period, he also worked in the kitchen of Dan Barber’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Blue Hill, in Greenwich Village.
Aside from his career, Scanavino’s personal life centers around his family. He resides with his wife and their children in the vibrant borough of Brooklyn, New York.
This glimpse into Scanavino’s bio and career highlights the multifaceted nature of his professional endeavors, from acting on screen and stage to his culinary pursuits, all while cherishing his role as a family man in the lively heart of Brooklyn.
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Kaity Biggar rose to fame through her participation in Season 27 of The Bachelor. Hailing from Canada, she works as an ER travel nurse. She has become a recognized face in the world of reality television.
Her journey culminated in a whirlwind engagement with Zach Shallcross during the show’s riveting finale in March of this year.
This turn of events has piqued the curiosity of many, prompting them to seek a deeper understanding of Biggar’s life, transcending the confines of her television persona.
In this article, we embark on a journey to uncover the various facets of Biggar’s life. We will delve into her age and her family background and even take a glimpse at her financial standing, offering a more comprehensive view of the woman behind the reality TV spotlight.
A peek into Kaity Biggar’s life beyond ‘The Bachelor’
Beyond the world of reality television, Biggar, who was 28 years old during her time on The Bachelor, leads a life that’s both intriguing and grounded. She was born on November 17, 1994, meaning she is 28 years of age as of September 2023.
She was raised in the suburbs of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, but is currently residing in Austin, Texas. Likewise, her zodiac sign is Scorpio; she stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches, and she weighs around 57 kilograms or 125.5 pounds.
Biggar’s Instagram bio uniquely reflects both her Canadian roots and her newfound Texan home, showcasing the duality of her life’s journey — she relocated to Texas in 2022.
She chronicled this transition on her Instagram account, captioning a series of photos taken in Austin with the words, “2966.4 km later, I’m finally home.”
Professionally, Biggar is an ER nurse in Austin, Texas, as disclosed in her ABC bio. However, a closer look at her Instagram reveals that she identifies as a “travel nurse,” reflecting the dynamic nature of her career.
Kaity Biggar during her nursing school graduation (Source: Instagram)
Her nursing journey began at Laurentian University in Ontario, Canada, culminating in her graduation in June 2019. An Instagram post from that memorable day captures her in a cap and gown, accompanied by the caption, “Nursing school survivor.”
Kaity Biggar opened up about her family on ‘The Bachelor’
In The Bachelor, where love stories take center stage, Biggar chose to shed light on a deeply personal aspect of her life — her family. During her memorable journey, she opened up about her roots, revealing details about her family and home life.
Biggar introduced her mother, Anne Paton, to the viewers. Paton, a dedicated professional working at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, plays a crucial role in Biggar’s life.
Her LinkedIn profile identifies her as a meeting coordinator. Still, beyond her career, Paton is a loving mother who has steadfastly supported Biggar and her siblings.
During the show, Biggar brought her now-fiancé, Shallcross, to Austin, Texas, her current residence, for a hometown date. Biggar shared, “My family means so much to me. Him meeting my family is so important because their opinion means the world to me” at that time.
Throughout her journey on The Bachelor, Biggar also opened up to Shallcross about the absence of a solid father figure. Her story revealed that her biological father departed when she was four.
Subsequently, her mother’s boyfriend became a significant figure in her life, only to depart when she was a teenager.
During Biggar’s hometown date, viewers were also introduced to her Aunt Jill, who shared the emotional experience of Biggar’s journey on the show. This close-knit family bond was evident as Biggar and her aunt candidly discussed her feelings for Shallcross.
Kaity Biggar’s relationship with her siblings
Like with her parents, viewers also got a glimpse into Kaity’s life beyond the romance, including her close relationship with her brother, Cooper Biggar. From what we see on social media, Cooper is not just a supportive sibling but also someone very dear to Kaity.
Their bond is evident in the fun moments they share. One Halloween, they even dressed up in Zoolander costumes together, showing how close they are.
Kaity’s playful side shines through in her Instagram posts, where she humorously roasted her brother. She wrote, “Never stopped looking up to [Cooper] till he went to his first open bar wedding.” This little tease suggests that Cooper might be the older sibling.
Cooper himself took to Instagram to express his pride and support for Kaity. In April 2022, he posted a photo of them together, captioning it, “Everything’s Biggar in Texas. Congrats, @kaitybiggar, on your next journey, proud of you.”
Kaity’s candidness also extends to her family dynamics. She once admitted, “With the exception of my brother, every man in my life has failed me.”
Kaity Biggar with her brother Cooper Biggar in Texas (Source: Instagram)
Additionally, Kaity’s aunt plays a special role in her life, and they share a connection that goes beyond family. She fondly referred to Jill’s kids, who are her cousins, as Davis, Brant, Hadley, and Blake.
In a heartwarming Instagram post, Kaity captioned a photo with them, saying, “Always fun visiting the aunt and these toothless kids.”
Through these glimpses into her relationship with her brother Cooper and her extended family, Kaity reveals the importance of close bonds and shared moments that transcend the glitz and glamour of reality TV.
Kaity Biggar’s up-to-date net worth
Biggar is well-known for her work as a nurse and her appearances on TV. As of March 2023, she has a net worth ranging between $2 million to $3 million. This money comes from her job as a nurse, primarily when she worked as a vacation ER nurse.
She also enjoys a comfortable lifestyle. She owns a lovely house in Texas and drives a Mercedes car. This shows that she likes to live well.
Kaity Biggar and Zach Shallcross on ‘The Bachelor’ (Source: The Whig)
Her journey into the public eye began when she appeared on The Bachelor and engaged to Shallcross. This added to her fame.
Apart from her career, she also has a background in figure skating. This is a brief look at Biggar’s financial status and her way of life, but there still may be much more to her.
Michelle Stafford has had an incredible career in daytime television. She first gained fame playing Phyllis Summers on the well-received soap opera The Young and the Restless. She has been starring as Phyllis on Y&R since all the way back in 1994.
Outside of her enormous success on Y&R, Stafford has also shined in other projects like comedic web series and primetime TV shows. With decades of acclaimed performances under her belt, Stafford has amassed an impressive net worth.
But going back to her iconic role as Phyllis, she has performed in over 2,100 episodes in nearly 30 years on the show. This earned Stafford two Daytime Emmy Awards for acting on the soap opera. It could even be said that her character of Phyllis has become iconic.
After such a long run, rumors have emerged that Stafford may leave The Young and the Restless for good in 2023. This speculation has made fans wonder about her character’s future, Phyllis, in Genoa City.
This article will look at Stafford’s highlights and wealth earned throughout her prolific soap opera acting career. While Phyllis’ future is uncertain, Stafford’s legacy in the genre is already assured.
Is Michelle Stafford leaving Young and the Restless in 2023?
As mentioned earlier, rumors have emerged that longtime actress Stafford may be leaving her iconic role of Phyllis on the well-liked soap opera The Young and the Restless. These exit rumors started circulating based on recent storylines involving Phyllis.
In one of the storylines, Phyllis collapsed at an event in the show and was pronounced dead after an ambulance crash. This led her daughter Summer and others to believe Phyllis had passed away.
However, many fans speculate this may be a fake death staged by Phyllis to pin it on rival Diane Jenkins.
In this regard, Stafford has taken breaks from Y&R in the past to work on other projects, with actresses like Gina Tognoni temporarily filling in as Phyllis during her absences. So, her leaving again for a short time would follow precedent.
But according to sources, Stafford isn’t actually exiting the soap opera entirely. Reports indicate she will remain with the show as it approaches its 50th-anniversary celebration. Stafford recently paid tribute on social media to Y&R’s creator, hinting she isn’t departing.
While Phyllis may be presumed dead temporarily on screen, Stafford will likely return to the famous role that has defined her career. For now, fans can probably rest assured that rumors of the actress permanently leaving The Young and the Restless appear premature.
Diving into Michelle Stafford’s acting career
Stafford’s acting career spans over 30 years across television and film. She got her start in 1990, cast in the short-lived Fox soap opera Tribes. After minor roles in TV movies, she joined another failed Fox soap, Pacific Palisades, in 1997.
But her big break came in 1994 when she landed the role of Phyllis on the popular CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless. As stated before, Stafford has portrayed the role of Phyllis in over 2,100 episodes.
However, she took a break from Y&R from 2013 to 2019. After leaving The Young and the Restless initially in 2013, Stafford joined the cast of ABC’s General Hospital as Nina Reeves from 2014 to 2019. She then returned to her iconic Phyllis role on Y&R.
Michelle Stafford attended the 48th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 2021 (Source: Getty Images)
Outside of soap operas, she has also guest starred on shows like Ringer and 90210 over the years. She also works behind the scenes, writing episodes of General Hospital.
In film, Stafford has appeared in projects like Double Jeopardy, Attraction, Cottonmouth, and Parker. She also created and starred in the comedy web series The Stafford Project in 2013.
With steady work across daytime and primetime television plus supporting film roles, Stafford boasts an impressive three-decade career. But the character of Phyllis on Y&R remains her most acclaimed and long-running part.
Michelle Stafford has built a stellar net worth for herself
As per reports, Stafford has earned a net worth of $15 million. She also reportedly made about $7,000 per day as of July 2021 — these figures might have increased in September 2023. She also owns a house in Glendale, California.
After high school, she pursued a modeling career, facing initial challenges due to her appearance. However, she persisted, got an agent, and signed with L.A. Models. Her modeling career took her to different countries.
Michelle Stafford and Anthony Geary won awards for Best Lead Actress and Actor respectively in the 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (Source: Tuko)
Italy had a significant impact on her life, as it sparked her interest in acting. This eventually led her to her iconic role as Phyllis Summers. She portrayed this character from 1994 to 1997, then from 2000 to 2013, and again since 2019.
Stafford received 11 Daytime Emmy Award nominations for her role in The Young and the Restless and won her first in 1997. She also received three Soap Opera Digest Awards.
She has been nominated 16 times for these awards and has won five. Stafford’s journey from modeling to acting has been marked by dedication and success, leading to her impressive net worth and recognition in the entertainment industry.
Know more about Michelle Stafford
Stafford was born on September 14, 1968, which makes her 54 years old. She stands at a height of 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 inches) and weighs around 123 lbs (56 kg).
After high school, she wanted to be a model and actress, but it didn’t work out initially. So, she started doing television commercials. But then, she got some bad news. She discovered she had a brain tumor because her left eyelid kept swelling.
Michelle Stafford in ‘The Young and The Restless’ (Source: Celeb Dirty Laundry)
At the time, she was scared but realized that most people outside didn’t know what she was going through. She had brain surgery, which was challenging, but she made it through.
After her surgery, her acting career got even better. Stafford’s story shows how she faced challenges and never gave up. Now, at 58 years old, she continues to make an impact on the entertainment industry.
Christina Grimmie was one of the most talented and popular singers, YouTubers, and social media influencers who became famous by singing many covers of songs by tons of talented artists.
She was a huge fan of Miley Cyrus and had covered the song ‘Party in the USA,’ which became so popular that she amassed millions of subscribers. After releasing her first-ever EP, she became even more popular and successful.
It motivated her to release more originals than cover songs. Some of her most popular songs include ‘Without Him,’ ‘Feeling Good,’ ‘Tell My Mama,’ ‘Snow White,’ and others.
Despite being popular, she never changed her approach to being close to her family and listening to her fans. However, too much fame also had a cost, which led to her untimely death.
Christina Grimmie’s parents and siblings
Christina was born to Albert and Tina Grimmie on March 12, 1994. Her father, Albert, worked as an officer at Verizon Communications, whereas her mother worked as a receptionist, but when she got diagnosed with breast cancer, she left her job in 2014.
She fought her battle with cancer bravely until 2018 when she passed away from it. The foundation notified Christina’s fans about her mother’s death, describing the moment as bittersweet.
They stated, “While this is a bittersweet moment for us, we rejoice at the thought that Tina and Christina are united once again in the presence of our Lord and Savior.”
Regarding her siblings, she had an older brother, Marcus Grimmie, who used to work as a finance and road manager for her.
Christina’s death affected her brother even more since he was present at the scene and even fought the murderer who killed her but was not able to save his sister. He has not revealed much about the incident, and little is known about what he does now for a living.
Christina Grimmie with her mother, Tina Grimmie. (Credit: Instagram)
That said, after Christina’s death, her family started the Christina Grimmie Foundation for people who lost loved ones to breast cancer or gun violence.
Christina Grimmie’s died at the age of just 22
Grimmie was one of the rising stars in the music industry. She became famous internationally after her sensational performances on the singing reality TV show The Voice, but even before that, she was releasing covers and amassing a decent fanbase.
Her life and career were going strong until they suddenly stopped on June 10, 2016. On that day, she was set to perform in Orlando, Florida, and in the morning, she urged her fans to come and enjoy her concert.
Christina’s show was a huge success with a massive turnout, but the security was fragile. Her concert ended at 10 p.m., after which she started signing autographs. Around half an hour later, she saw a young man named Kevin James Joibl approach her hesitantly.
She thought he was just a shy fan, so she opened her arms, asking him to hug her, at which point he shot her three times from point-blank range with his Glock pistol. Christina’s brother tackled the shooter, but he could not grab him.
Nonetheless, the shooter could not run, so he backed himself against the wall and fatally shot himself. On the other hand, Christina was still alive but was barely breathing. She was rushed to the hospital with a bleeding head and a weak pulse.
Christina, aged 22, was pronounced dead by the doctors at around 11 p.m., which shocked the whole community. A day later, Orlando Police announced on Twitter about her death, stating, “With deep regret, we have confirmed Christina Grimmie, has died from her injuries.”
Celebrities and singers paid tribute to Christina Grimmie
After the news of Grimmie passing away was confirmed, the music industry fell into a huge shock. Many top musicians, singers, and celebrities took to social media for her tribute.
One of the first ones was another young singer, Demi Lovato, who posted on Twitter, “RIPChristina. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones.”
Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine, her coach in The Voice, also revealed he and his wife were heartbroken and devastated. He also sang an emotional tribute on The Voice with the song ‘Hey Jude’ dedicating it to her.
Levine still maintains regular contact with her family. Christina’s brother also revealed that Levine paid the entire funeral expenses and has been donating regularly to their foundation.
Other celebrities like Tory Kelly, Becky G, Hailee Steinfeld, and Abigail Breslin also shared their deepest condolences to her.
Christina Grimmie quickly rose as singing sensation
Grimmie was born and raised in New Jersey and had a talent for music and melody when she was very young. At just five years old, she learned to sing by herself, which her father noticed, so he motivated her to pursue a singing career.
When she was just ten years old, she started playing the piano by ear, but to mold her skills even more, her parents made her attend piano lessons. Her early career began when she was just 15 years old and created her YouTube channel.
At that time, many young YouTubers were sharing their gaming playthroughs. She decided to pursue a different route and started posting her cover songs. She was a massive fan of Hannah Montana, so her first-ever cover song was ‘Don’t Wanna Be Torn.’
But her YouTube success came from the cover of Miley Cyrus’s ‘Party in the USA.’ The hit cover gained her a huge fan following, after which she started releasing her own songs. Her craze was rising every day, which made Selena Gomez attentive to her.
Gomez became her mentor, which was the big break she needed. In 2012, she signed her first production agency, Creative Artist, under Disney. She also appeared in the show Power Up with Christina Grimmie.
She released some songs over the next year, but her career was not moving forward, which forced her to join the reality TV show The Voice in 2014. She was selected unanimously in auditions and chose singer Adam Levine to become her coach.
Her performances in The Voice were terrific, but unfortunately, she did not win the tournament but finished in 3rd, which was still a massive achievement.