Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Deena Michelle Parrilla-Ripley (public records and family references) |
| Birth date | June 10 (year estimated early 1970s) |
| Approximate age in 2025 | Mid 50s (about 53 to 55 years old) |
| Occupation | Ground operations and airline logistics professional (linked with Southwest Airlines) |
| Known for | Older sister of actress Lana Parrilla; family presence in social posts |
| Family | Mother Dolores Azzara; late father Samuel Parrilla; sister Lana Parrilla; sons Sammy Ripley and Bryce Ripley |
| Residence | California area (public mentions point to Southern California) |
| Public profile | Extremely private; appears mainly in family social media posts |
Biography
Deena Parrilla has the kind of life that resists spotlight glare. Born on June 10 and raised in a bicultural household that mixed Puerto Rican and Italian-American heritage, she sits at the center of a small family that has weathered both loss and success. The calendar places her in the early 1970s, which means by 2025 she is in her mid 50s. Numbers in public records and school year references suggest a childhood that moved between the New York area and California, and a graduation from Herbert Hoover High School in 1988 helps anchor that migration.
She did not choose the stage. Instead she built a steady working life in airline operations, a world of schedules, gates, and logistics that runs on punctuality and quiet competence. That choice defines her public image: ordinary work, extraordinary discretion. Where one sister pursued acting and public life, Deena appears to have preferred routines that make travel possible for others rather than crowds of fans.
Her life reads like a reliable clock. Family first, work steady, privacy preserved. Photographs that the public sees are mostly celebratory — birthdays, family gatherings, shared smiles — and they come from her sister, Lana, who posts affectionate tributes from time to time. Those glimpses are enough to sketch a character: warm, private, anchored.
Family and Relationships
| Family member | Relation | Notable details |
|---|---|---|
| Lana Maria Parrilla | Younger sister | Acclaimed actress; often publicly affectionate toward Deena |
| Dolores Azzara | Mother | Artist and painter; close family presence |
| Samuel “Sam” Parrilla | Father (deceased) | Former professional baseball player; died 1994 |
| Anthony Ripley | Husband or former husband | Linked through public records; limited details |
| Sammy Ripley | Son | Private; appears in family photos |
| Bryce Ripley | Son | Private; appears in family photos |
| Candice Azzara | Aunt | Veteran actress; part of extended creative family |
Family is the compass that orients Deena. Early parental divorce and the death of their father in 1994 left marks, but also reinforced a close sibling bond. Public posts from Lana describe Deena as the sister who is fun to be silly with, and that playful language reveals a domestic closeness that rarely leaves the private sphere. The family network blends sports, art, and acting; Deena occupies the quiet center of that blend.
Career and Public Presence
Deena’s professional life contrasts with her sister’s celebrity. Records and public references connect her to ground operations at a major low cost carrier, where coordination, customer service, and logistical oversight are daily tasks. The work is unglamorous by red carpet standards, but it is crucial and often complex, a choreography of people and machines.
There are no public awards, no interviews, and no independent media profile. Her public footprint consists almost entirely of family mentions and tagged photos on social channels belonging to relatives. This is a deliberate posture. In an age when privacy can feel like a foreign language, Deena has learned to speak it fluently.
Financial details are unspecified. Standard industry salaries for long term ground operations roles provide a plausible range for income, but there are no public filings, disputes, or sensational items tied to her name. The family’s public wealth is associated with Lana’s acting career, not with Deena’s personal finances.
Timeline
| Year or period | Event |
|---|---|
| Early 1970s | Birth of Deena Parrilla, June 10 (exact year withheld) |
| Early 1980s | Parents divorce when Lana was a child; family life reorganizes |
| 1988 | Graduation from Herbert Hoover High School, Glendale, California (alumni records) |
| 1994 | Death of father Samuel Parrilla from cancer |
| 1990s to 2000s | Marriage to a Ripley; births of sons Sammy and Bryce |
| 2010s to 2020s | Long term employment in airline ground operations; occasional family posts appear |
| 2015 to 2025 | Several social media family mentions and photos, including a November 2025 family photo |
Public Perception and Privacy
Deena is a study in contrast. She is the private sibling in a family where one member performs in front of cameras, and that contrast sharpens rather than diminishes her presence. Fans of the actress encounter Deena as a supporting figure in family narratives, not as a subject of public curiosity. That boundary has been defended and respected across years.
Her story highlights choice. It is possible to be part of a well known family and still live a life that looks ordinary on the outside. The public sees the family albums; the private life remains intact. The result is a reputation built of steadiness rather than headlines.
FAQ
Who is Deena Parrilla?
Deena Parrilla is the older sister of actress Lana Parrilla, a private person who works in airline ground operations and appears mostly in family posts.
When is her birthday?
Her birthday is June 10, with the year estimated in the early 1970s.
Does she work in entertainment?
No, she has no public entertainment career and is associated with airline operations.
Does she have children?
Yes, she is a mother of two sons, Sammy Ripley and Bryce Ripley.
Where does she live?
Public references place her in the Southern California area, though exact residence is private.
Is she active on social media?
She maintains a low public profile; appearances online are mostly through family tags and posts.
Are there recent news stories about her?
There are no independent news stories focused on her from 2023 to 2025; mentions come from family social posts.
What is her relationship with Lana Parrilla?
They are close siblings who share a warm and playful bond, with Lana frequently posting affectionate tributes.
