Kali Reis is a former world champion boxer, an actress, and a vocal Indigenous advocate. She is best known to TV audiences as Evangeline Navarro in True Detective: Night Country.
Her path is unusual. She spent years in the ring before she ever stepped onto a film set. Her first lead role came in 2021, when she was in her mid-30s. Three years later, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
This guide covers her background, her boxing record, her film and TV work, and her advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).
Who Is Kali Reis?
Kali Reis is an American professional boxer and actress. She is known in two very different worlds. In boxing, she held world titles in two weight classes. In entertainment, she moved from an independent thriller to one of HBO's biggest series in about three years.
Here are the basics:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kali Reis |
| Born | August 24, 1986 |
| Age | 40 (as of October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (about 173 cm) |
| Nickname | K.O. Mequinonoag |
| Heritage | Cape Verdean and Native American (Seaconke Wampanoag, Nipmuc, Cherokee) |
| Professions | Boxer, actress, writer, youth boxing coach |
| Known for | True Detective: Night Country, Catch the Fair One |
| Spouse | Listed as Brian Cohen on IMDb |
Kali Reis's Early Life and Family Background
Where Was Kali Reis Born?
Reis was born on August 24, 1986, in Providence, Rhode Island. One source places her birth in neighboring East Providence, but most profiles say Providence. She grew up in the state and still represents it proudly.
Kali Reis's Childhood and Upbringing
Reis was an athletic kid who often played rougher sports with the neighborhood boys. At 14, she started boxing at Manfredo's Gym in Pawtucket. A local Native American boxer who was a friend of her mother also coached her at home.
After high school, she studied criminology. She also worked in nightclub security while building her boxing career. In 2012, a serious motorcycle accident sidelined her for the rest of that boxing season.
Her Indigenous Heritage and Cape Verdean Roots
Reis's background is both Cape Verdean and Native American. Her father, Flinky Reis, is a musician of Cape Verdean descent. She has called her mother "the medicine woman" of the Seaconke Wampanoag tribe. Profiles also list Nipmuc and Cherokee ancestry.
Her heritage is not a side note in her story. It shapes her activism, her public voice, and the roles she chooses.
Kali Reis's Boxing Career and Achievements
How Kali Reis Started Boxing
She walked into Manfredo's Gym at 14. She later trained at Big Six Boxing Academy in Providence. Her amateur career was strong enough to carry her into the professional ranks.
Her Journey to Becoming a World Champion
Her first big title came in 2014, when she defeated Teresa Perozzi to win the IBA title in Bermuda on November 12, 2014. Her first major world title followed in April 2016, when she won the WBC female middleweight belt.
Major Boxing Titles and Historic Fights
Her career highlights include:
- WBC female middleweight champion (2016).
- WBA, WBO, and IBO female light welterweight titles, held between 2020 and 2022.
- A 2018 challenge against Cecilia Brækhus for the undisputed female welterweight crown. Brækhus was the dominant champion of her era.
- Induction into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.
Many profiles describe her as the first Indigenous woman to win a world boxing championship. That claim is widely repeated, but treat it as a common description rather than an official ruling.
Kali Reis's Professional Boxing Record
Reis won 19 professional fights, five of them by knockout. Sources disagree on her losses. Some list 7 and others 8, along with one draw. For official numbers, check a dedicated boxing database.
How Boxing Prepared Her for Acting
Boxing gave her discipline, physical presence, and calm under pressure. Those are useful on a film set, especially in roles with action or tension. Filmmakers noticed. Her first lead role came from her advocacy work, not from an audition tape.
Kali Reis's Acting Career
Her Acting Debut in Catch the Fair One
Director Josef Kubota Wladyka found Reis through her MMIWG advocacy. He asked her to co-write and star in a film about that subject. The result was Catch the Fair One (2021), in which she plays Kaylee, a boxer searching for her missing sister.
Critical Recognition and Award Nominations
The film earned her a Jury Award for Best Actress at a film festival and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead. For a first-time actor, that was a remarkable start.
How Kali Reis Transitioned from Boxing to Hollywood
The shift was gradual. She kept her focus on advocacy, took the lead in one film, and then landed a major TV role. She has said little about leaving the ring behind, and sources now describe her as a former boxer. Her last titles were held through 2022.
Kali Reis in True Detective: Night Country
Who Does Kali Reis Play in True Detective?
She plays Evangeline Navarro, a state trooper in the fictional Alaskan town of Ennis. The season is the fourth of HBO's True Detective and is also called Night Country.
Understanding Her Character, Evangeline Navarro
Navarro is tough, guarded, and haunted by loss. She is also tied to an Indigenous community that feels overlooked by the system. That theme echoes the real-life issues Reis speaks about off-screen.
Kali Reis and Jodie Foster's On-Screen Partnership
Reis stars opposite Jodie Foster, who plays Chief Liz Danvers. The two characters are partners with a rocky history. Their uneasy chemistry is a main reason the season landed with viewers.
The Impact of Her Performance
In 2024, Reis became the first Native American woman nominated for a Primetime Emmy for acting, in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category. She also received Golden Globe and Critics' Choice nominations.
Kali Reis's Movies and TV Shows
Complete Filmography of Kali Reis
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Catch the Fair One | Kaylee (also co-writer) |
| 2023 | Asphalt City | Nia |
| 2024 | True Detective: Night Country | Evangeline Navarro |
| 2025 | Rebuilding | Mila |
| 2025 | Murderbot (series, per Prime Video) | Listed credit |
| 2026 | Mercy | Jacqueline "Jaq" Diallo |
| 2026 | Resident Evil | Maxine |
Her Most Notable Movie Roles
Catch the Fair One remains her most personal film. Night Country is her biggest platform. Resident Evil may be her most mainstream film role so far.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
Zach Cregger's Resident Evil reached U.S. theaters on September 18, 2026. Reis plays Maxine, an Umbrella enforcer. The cast also includes Paul Walter Hauser, a character actor known for sharp comedic and dramatic turns.
She is also listed in Wind River: The Next Chapter, which has no confirmed release date.
Horror and thrillers are clearly part of her path now. Other actors have made similar moves. John Krasinski went from comedy to directing the A Quiet Place films.
Reis's early filmography also shows range, from indie drama to prestige TV to studio sci-fi. Few actors can pull that off. Domhnall Gleeson is another performer known for moving easily between genres.
Kali Reis's Personal Life
Is Kali Reis Married?
Yes, according to IMDb and several profile sites. She keeps her private life low-key, and no verified wedding date has been published.
Who Is Kali Reis's Husband?
Those profiles name Brian Cohen, a retired professional boxer. Treat this as reported, not confirmed by her own public statement.
What Does Her Native Name, Mequinonoag, Mean?
Her mother gave her the name Mequinonoag. It is often translated as "many feathers," and some sources add "many talents." She uses it in her ring nickname, "K.O. Mequinonoag."
Kali Reis's Advocacy and Community Work
Her Support for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
MMIWG is a national movement focused on the high rates of violence and disappearance affecting Indigenous women. Reis is an active supporter, and that work is what led her into acting.
Empowering Young Indigenous Women
She coaches youth boxing and works as a trainer. Teaching young athletes is a quiet but direct way of backing the next generation.
Her Connection to Indigenous Culture and Community
She speaks openly about her tribal roots and often returns to them in interviews. Her roles, especially Navarro, reflect that commitment.
Kali Reis's Awards and Recognition
Acting Awards and Nominations
- Independent Spirit Award nomination, Best Female Lead (Catch the Fair One)
- Jury Award for Best Actress at a film festival (Catch the Fair One)
- Primetime Emmy nomination (True Detective: Night Country)
- Golden Globe nomination (True Detective: Night Country)
- Critics' Choice nomination (True Detective: Night Country)
Her Historic Achievements in Boxing and Entertainment
She won world titles in two weight classes and is a member of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame. In acting, she was the first Native American woman nominated for a Primetime Emmy for acting.
Kali Reis's Net Worth and Current Career
What Is Kali Reis's Estimated Net Worth?
There is no reliable public figure. Some sites post exact numbers without evidence. Sources that track this say her net worth remains undisclosed. Treat any precise number with caution.
What Is Kali Reis Doing Now?
She is acting full-time. Resident Evil and Mercy both arrived in 2026, and Wind River: The Next Chapter is in the pipeline. She also continues advocacy work and youth coaching.
Conclusion
Kali Reis built her name through hard work, first in the ring and then on screen. She went from boxing champion to Emmy-nominated actress without losing sight of her community. Her Indigenous identity and advocacy are part of the work, not an add-on.
With Resident Evil in theaters and more projects ahead, her influence is still growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Kali Reis?
She is 40. She was born on August 24, 1986.
How tall is Kali Reis?
She is 5 ft 8 in (about 173 cm).
What is Kali Reis's ethnicity?
She is of Cape Verdean and Native American descent, including Seaconke Wampanoag, Nipmuc, and Cherokee ancestry.
What is Kali Reis's boxing record?
She won 19 pro fights, five by knockout. Reported losses range from 7 to 8, plus one draw.
Is Kali Reis still boxing?
Sources describe her as a former boxer. Her last world titles were held through 2022, and she now focuses on acting.
What movies and TV shows has Kali Reis appeared in?
Catch the Fair One, Asphalt City, True Detective: Night Country, Rebuilding, Mercy, and Resident Evil, plus a listed credit in Murderbot.
What role did Kali Reis play in True Detective: Night Country?
She played Evangeline Navarro, a state trooper working alongside Jodie Foster's Liz Danvers.
Who is Kali Reis married to?
Profile sites list her as married to Brian Cohen, a retired professional boxer.
