Jade Pettyjohn

Born on November 8, 2000, in Los Angeles, California, Jade Pettyjohn began her performing career alongside a local children’s song and dance troupe from the age of seven. Her early career included various roles in television series such as “The Mentalist” (2008), “United States of Tara” (2010), “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” (2011), and “Grimm” (2012). These early roles established her presence in the acting industry, showcasing her ability to handle diverse character types. A significant milestone in her burgeoning career was her role as McKenna Brooks in the 2012 television film “An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars.” This performance garnered her early recognition and laid the groundwork for future successful endeavors.

Pettyjohn gained international prominence as Summer Hathaway in the Nickelodeon series “School of Rock” (2016-2018), a role that highlighted her comedic timing and musical talents. The series received two Emmy nominations, expanding her global fan base. Following this, she took on more complex roles, including Lexie Richardson in Hulu’s Emmy-winning “Little Fires Everywhere” (2020), where her performance earned critical praise for its emotional depth. On the big screen, she appeared alongside Nicole Kidman in the Golden Globe-nominated film “Destroyer” (2018) and in HBO’s Emmy-nominated “Deadwood: The Movie” (2019), sharing the screen with experienced actors like Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant.

Her career continued to evolve with appearances in HBO’s satirical comedy “The Righteous Gemstones” (2019) and a significant role as a human trafficking survivor, Grace Sullivan, in David E. Kelley’s “Big Sky” (2020-2021). In 2023, Pettyjohn starred in “Fish Out of Water,” a film directed by Francesca Scorsese, which was selected for both the Cannes and Tribeca Film Festivals. Her performance in this short film garnered attention for its authenticity. In 2024, she joined the cast of Ryan Murphy’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story” as Jamie Pisarcik, and is slated to collaborate with Murphy again in the upcoming series “Doctor Odyssey.” Beyond acting, Pettyjohn is a musician skilled in piano, guitar, bass, and singing, often composing original music. She also has training in gymnastics, dance, and boxing, contributing to the physicality and discipline evident in her performances.