Born in Auschwitz, Poland... Tess moved from Poland to New York City where a friend of her tried to get her into modeling. Being only 5' 8" she found it difficult to find work do to being to short to work there which prompted her to move to Los Angeles where her modeling career took off. While living in Los Angeles, she also broke into commercial work with her first commercial being a Miller Beer add. Tess also did stand up comedy before breaking into acting.