Born in Chicago to an Italian mother and a Portuguese father, Anthony Tony Almeida is an agent hired by the Counter Terrorist Unit based in Los Angeles. Despite the cold, hard and often dangerous realities of his job, Tony is something of a romantic -- even judging fellow agent Jack Bauer rather harshly, at least initially, for having once been involved with a woman and colleague with which he is currently linked.That all ends rather badly, but it doesn't stop Tony from later becoming romantically involved with another CTU colleague, Michelle Dessler. Eventually, Tony and Jack work out their differences, though their relationship -- like many in Jack's life -- couldn't be described as entirely stable. More than romantic rivalry will eventually come between the CTU pair.Tony holds degrees in computer science and engineering from San Diego State University and Stanford University. After school, he served in the Marine Corps and attended Scout Sniper and Surveillance and Target Acquisition training -- learning essential skills he puts to use for CTU. Tony is tough and often shows steely resolve in the face of great danger. Above all else, he is a survivor, demonstrating a knack for navigating political and physical obstacles as well as personal tragedy.