The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department recorded Warren's date of birth as December 23, 1970. Although Warren's 1978 birth year is well-established, some news sources then reported that she was born in 1970 or cited her age as if she were born that year.
In 1990, Warren moved to Toronto to train with the national synchronized swimming team. In 1995, after becoming the senior national champion, Warren had the chance to move on to the 1996 Summer Olympics. She is a three-time Canadian national champion, and the solo bronze medalist at the 1995 Junior World Championships.
Estella Warren was discovered by Rhonda Broadbelt Fonte, the owner of Broadbelt & Fonte Models, in 1994 when she was a synchronized Swimmer living in Ontario. Broadbelt Fonte then introduced Warren to George Gallier, the owner of American Models. She then came to New York City to shoot some photo tests; during that time Gallier introduced her to fashion Photographer Ellen Von Unwerth, who immediately saw Estella's beautifully unique looks and booked her for a photo shoot for Italian Vogue.
Warren also has appeared in campaigns for UGG Australia, Andrew Marc, Perry Ellis, Nine West, Cartier, Volvo, De Beers, and Cacharel, as well as in television advertisements for Samsung. Additionally, she has modelled for Victoria's Secret and in 2000 hosted the televised special for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue's 2000 edition.
Warren's films include Driven (2001), Planet of the Apes (2001), Kangaroo Jack (2003) and The Cooler (2003).
Warren has appeared in That '70s Show in 2003, as well as two part crossover role in Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, in September 2005. She also appeared in an episode of Ghost Whisperer in 2005.
On May 24, 2011, Warren was arrested in Los Angeles after she allegedly hit three parked cars with her Toyota Prius and then fled the scene. Police eventually found her and arrested her for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). During her arrest she allegedly kicked an officer and resisted being handcuffed. Later at the police station where her arrest was being booked she managed to slip her cuffs and run but was quickly recaptured. Ultimately she was charged with DUI, hit-and-run, battery on a police officer and resisting a police officer. Her bail was set at $100,000. On August 19, 2011, Warren entered a no contest plea to the drunken driving charge, and the other charges were dropped; she was ordered to a residential rehab facility for four months.
She appeared on the cover in the nude for the third issue of the 3D magazine World's Most Beautiful, which came out in June 2013.
