Jenna Ortega

Jenna Marie Ortega was born on September 27, 2002, in Coachella Valley, California. She began acting professionally at age nine and quickly gained recognition for her roles in various television series. Her early career included portraying Harley, a creative-engineering prodigy, in the Disney Channel series “Stuck in the Middle” (2016–2018), which told stories from her character’s perspective within a family of seven children. Prior to this, she appeared as a younger version of Jane in The CW Television Network’s “Jane the Virgin” (2014–2019) and as Darcy in the 2015 Netflix sitcom “Richie Rich.” Throughout her early work, Ortega demonstrated a commitment to her craft, often taking on lead roles across more than 15 television staples and blockbuster films.

Transitioning to more mature roles, Ortega joined the cast of the thriller series “You” (2019) for its second season as Ellie Alves and co-starred as Phoebe in the horror sequel “The Babysitter: Killer Queen” (2020), both released on Netflix. Her performance as a traumatized high school student in the drama film “The Fallout” (2021) earned her critical acclaim. Ortega achieved widespread recognition and critical success for her portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix horror-comedy series “Wednesday” (2022–present). This role garnered her nominations at the Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild Awards, solidifying her status as a prominent actress. She has also made a significant impact in the horror genre, starring in the slasher films “Scream” (2022), “X” (2022), and “Scream VI” (2023), earning her the title of “Gen Z’s scream queen.” Beyond her acting, Ortega is known for her activism and has used her platform to support various charitable causes, including immigrant and refugee rights, bullying prevention, and women’s rights.

In recent years, Ortega has continued to expand her career, taking on diverse projects in film and television. In 2024, she starred in the fantasy film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” a sequel to the 1988 original, and the drama “Miller’s Girl.” She has also ventured into production roles, serving as a producer for the second season of “Wednesday.” Ortega has consistently been recognized for her influence and talent, being featured on The Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100 list in 2023 and the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2024. Her dedication to impactful storytelling and her active involvement in social causes highlight her multifaceted career, distinguishing her as a significant figure in contemporary entertainment.