Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega, born on September 27, 2002, in the United States, has established herself as a versatile and talented actress. She gained early recognition for her portrayal of young Jane in the acclaimed series "Jane the Virgin" from 2014 to 2019. Following this, Ortega took on the leading role of Harley Diaz in the Disney Channel series "Stuck in the Middle" from 2016 to 2018, earning an Imagen Award for her performance.
Expanding her repertoire, Ortega ventured into thriller territory with her role as Ellie Alves in the second season of the series "You" in 2019. The same year, she starred in the family film "Yes Day" for Netflix.


Ortega's career reached new heights in 2021 with her critically acclaimed performance in the teen-drama film "The Fallout." Her talent further shone in 2022 when she appeared in prominent roles in the slasher films "Scream" and "X," solidifying her status as a scream queen. Additionally, she reprised her role in "Scream VI" the following year.
In 2022, Ortega also took on the iconic role of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix horror-comedy series "Wednesday," garnering nominations at prestigious award ceremonies such as the Golden Globe Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Through her diverse and impressive body of work, Ortega has proven herself as a rising star in the entertainment industry.

Jenna Marie Ortega, born on September 27, 2002, in Palm Desert, California, is the fourth of six siblings. Her diverse heritage includes Mexican and Puerto Rican ancestry. Her father, a former sheriff who now works at the California district attorney's office, is of Mexican descent, while her mother, an emergency room nurse, has Mexican and Puerto Rican roots. Ortega's maternal great-grandmother immigrated illegally from Sinaloa, Mexico, and her maternal grandfather hailed from Puerto Rico. Growing up in La Quinta, California, Ortega showed a passion for acting from a young age, expressing her desire to pursue it since she was six years old.


Despite her early enthusiasm for acting, Ortega's mother initially tried to steer her towards other activities like soccer and school. However, Ortega's determination to pursue acting prevailed, and her mother eventually supported her dream by buying her a monologue book and helping her secure representation after a casting director noticed a video of Ortega performing.


Ortega's journey to auditions in Los Angeles was arduous, often involving long drives that could take up to six hours, multiple times a week. Facing challenges due to the limited roles available for Latinas and the lack of perceived "look" by casting directors, Ortega was initially focused on landing commercial roles. Despite the hurdles, she found success in the commercial world, securing parts in numerous national campaigns, including commercials for McDonald's.


Balancing her acting career with her education, Ortega attended public school in La Quinta, including Amelia Earhart Elementary School and John Glenn Middle School. However, she made the difficult decision to drop out during eighth grade to fully commit to acting, particularly after landing a role in the Disney series "Stuck in the Middle" (2016–2018). This marked a significant turning point in her career, and Ortega relocated to Los Angeles, where she juggled her acting commitments with her personal life, often traveling back home on weekends. Despite the challenges, Ortega's dedication and perseverance ultimately paid off, propelling her to success in the entertainment industry.


Jenna Marie Ortega's acting career began with a role in the sitcom "Rob" in 2012, followed by an appearance in an episode of "CSI: NY" titled "Unspoken," where she portrayed a victim of an accidental shooting. Her film debut came in 2013 with a minor role as the vice president's daughter in the superhero blockbuster "Iron Man 3." Ortega also appeared in the horror film "Insidious: Chapter 2" the same year, further establishing her presence in the industry. Both films enjoyed success at the box office.


From 2014 to 2019, Ortega gained widespread recognition for her recurring role on The CW's comedy series "Jane the Virgin." She portrayed a younger version of the protagonist, Jane Villanueva, played by Gina Rodriguez as an adult. Ortega's performance in the series received praise for her ability to embody the character effectively, despite not having an "overwhelmingly special" audition.



In addition to her television work, Ortega appeared in various projects such as the direct-to-video comedy "The Little Rascals Save the Day" in 2014 and the Netflix series "Richie Rich" in 2015. She also starred in the film "After Words" (2015) as Anna Chapa, drawing both praise and criticism for her performance from different sources.


However, Ortega's breakout role came with the Disney Channel sitcom "Stuck in the Middle," where she portrayed Harley Diaz, an aspiring inventor and the middle child among seven siblings, from 2016 to 2018. Her portrayal of Harley earned her critical acclaim, with reviewers praising her ability to bring depth and humor to the character. Ortega's performance in the series garnered multiple nominations for the Imagen Awards, including a win in 2018.
In addition to her live-action work, Ortega lent her voice to the character Princess Isabel in the animated series "Elena of Avalor" (2016–2020), further showcasing her versatility as an actress across different mediums.


Jenna Marie Ortega's career has been marked by a diverse range of roles across film and television, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
In the horror genre, Ortega made a significant impact with her role as Tara Carpenter in the slasher film "Scream" (2022), the fifth installment in the iconic franchise. Her performance garnered praise for her ability to balance horror and comic tones, as well as for her memorable scream. Ortega's portrayal of Tara helped solidify her status as a rising star in the horror genre, earning her the MTV Movie Award for Most Frightened Performance. She later reprised her role in "Scream VI" (2023), further demonstrating her talent in the genre.


Ortega's involvement in horror continued with her appearance in "Studio 666" (2022), a horror film led by the Foo Fighters. While some reviewers felt she was underused in the film, Ortega's presence still left an impression. She also starred in "X" (2022), a slasher film directed by Ti West, where her performance was praised as one of her best of the year.
Transitioning to television, Ortega took on the titular role in the Netflix series "Wednesday" (2022), portraying the iconic character from the Addams Family. Despite initial reservations about taking on another television role, Ortega's portrayal of Wednesday received widespread acclaim from critics, earning her nominations at prestigious award ceremonies such as the Golden Globes and the Primetime Emmy Awards.


Outside of the horror genre, Ortega showcased her range as an actress in various projects. She hosted an episode of "Saturday Night Live" and appeared in the crime thriller film "Finestkind" (2023), where her performance received mixed reviews. Ortega also starred in "Miller's Girl" (2024), a production by Lionsgate and Point Grey Pictures, where she tackled a complex character opposite Martin Freeman.
Throughout her career, Jenna Marie Ortega has proven herself to be a versatile and talented actress, garnering acclaim for her performances across a diverse range of roles in both film and television.

References

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12. a b c Ortega, Jenna (June 21, 2022). "The Fallout Star Jenna Ortega on the Horror of School Shootings: 'It Could Happen Anywhere, at Any Time'". Deadline Hollywood (Interview). Interviewed by Matthew Carey. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
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14. a b c d Ortega, Jenna (July 17, 2018). "La Quinta's Jenna Ortega on Being a Disney Star and Her Show Stuck in the Middle, Now Ending After 3 Seasons". The Desert Sun (Interview). Interviewed by Xochitl Pena. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.