Born on September 27th, 2002, in Coachella Valley, California, Jenna Ortega is an actress whose rise to fame has been rapid and impressive. Young Jenna’s perseverance in auditioning paid off, and she made her acting debut in the sitcom Rob in 2012, followed by guest appearances in shows like CSI: NY (2012) and Days of Our Lives (2013). Jenna’s breakout role came in 2014 when she was cast as the younger version of Jane Villanueva in the CW comedy-drama series Jane the Virgin. This performance earned her critical acclaim and paved the way for her to land the lead role of Harley Diaz in the Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle from 2016 to 2018. Ortega’s versatility as an actress has been further showcased in her roles in the thriller series You (2019), the family film Yes Day (2021), and the high-school drama The Fallout (2021, the latter of which earned her widespread praise. In 2022, Ortega gained even wider recognition for her role as Wednesday Addams in Tim Burton’s hit series Wednesday. Her deadpan humor, gothic style, and unique take on the iconic character made the show a global sensation and showcased Ortega’s ability to lead a major project with style and substance. Working closely with Tim Burton, she most recently starred in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August 2024. Gaining recognition for her work in the horror genre, she was a part of the Scream franchise and the acclaimed film X, solidifying her reputation as a “scream queen” for a new generation.
