History of Jenna Ortega in Timeline
Jenna Marie Ortega is an American actress, recognized for her prominent roles in horror films, leading to the media dubbing her "Gen Z's scream queen." Her influence and impact have been acknowledged through her inclusion in The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 list in 2023 and Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2024, highlighting her rising status and accomplishments within the entertainment industry.
1988: Release of Beetlejuice
In 1988, the film "Beetlejuice" was released; later Jenna Ortega would appear in the sequel in 2024.
September 27, 2002: Jenna Ortega's Birth
On September 27, 2002, Jenna Marie Ortega was born. She is an American actress known for her work in horror.
2004: Inspiration from Man on Fire
In 2004, after watching Dakota Fanning in the thriller film Man on Fire, six-year-old Jenna Ortega wanted to act. She was inspired by Fanning's performance and decided she wanted to be "the Puerto Rican version" of her.
2012: Acting Debut in Rob
In 2012, Jenna Ortega made her acting debut in the sitcom Rob.
2013: Film Debut in Iron Man 3
In 2013, Jenna Ortega made her film debut in an uncredited role as the vice president's daughter in the superhero film Iron Man 3. She also appeared in the horror film Insidious: Chapter 2.
2014: Recurring Role on Jane the Virgin
From 2014, Jenna Ortega had a recurring role on The CW comedy television series Jane the Virgin as a younger version of Jane Villanueva.
2015: Starred in Richie Rich
In 2015, Jenna Ortega starred in the Netflix sitcom Richie Rich.
2016: Booking a role in Stuck in the Middle
After booking a role in Stuck in the Middle, Ortega got an apartment in Los Angeles. In 2016, she acted in Los Angeles during the workweek and returned home on weekends.
2016: Organizing a meet-and-greet for cancer fundraising
In 2016, Jenna Ortega organized a meet-and-greet event for fans to raise money for a young girl with cancer.
2018: Protest at Radio Disney Music Awards
At the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards, Jenna Ortega wore a jacket displaying the words "I Do Care and U Should Too" in response to Melania Trump's clothing, protesting the treatment of immigrant children.
2018: Starred in Saving Flora
In 2018, Jenna Ortega starred in the film Saving Flora in the lead role of Dawn, a circus owner's daughter. She was also cast as Ellie Alves in the second season of the Netflix thriller series You.
2018: Won an Imagen Award
In 2018, Jenna Ortega won an Imagen Award for Best Young Actor – Television for her role in Stuck in the Middle.
2018: Stuck in the Middle ended
In 2018, Jenna Ortega's role in the Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle ended, leading her to seek more mature projects.
2018: Named one of Hollywood's Top 30 Stars Under Age 18
In 2018, The Hollywood Reporter named Jenna Ortega one of "Hollywood's Top 30 Stars Under Age 18".
2018: Stopped attending public school
Jenna Ortega stopped attending public school during eighth grade in 2018 to act in Disney productions.
December 26, 2019: Release of You Season 2
On December 26, 2019, the second season of the Netflix thriller series You was released, featuring Jenna Ortega as Ellie Alves. The season received positive reviews.
2019: Appearance at We Day benefit concerts
In 2019, Jenna Ortega appeared at numerous We Day benefit concerts across the U.S. and Canada to raise funds for WE Charity.
2019: Role in You
In 2019, Jenna Ortega played Ellie Alves in the thriller series You on Netflix, expanding into more mature projects.
2019: End of recurring role on Jane the Virgin
In 2019, Jenna Ortega's recurring role on the Jane the Virgin series ended.
September 2020: Release of The Babysitter: Killer Queen
In September 2020, Netflix released the horror film The Babysitter: Killer Queen, in which Jenna Ortega played Phoebe. The film received negative critical reviews.
2020: Brand ambassador for Neutrogena
In 2020, Jenna Ortega became a brand ambassador for Neutrogena and was the face of its "My Quinceañera Journey" campaign.
2020: Co-starring in The Babysitter: Killer Queen
In 2020, Jenna Ortega co-starred in the horror-comedy film The Babysitter: Killer Queen, released on Netflix.
2020: Continued Voicing in Elena of Avalor
Jenna Ortega continued voicing Princess Isabel in Elena of Avalor through 2020.
March 2021: Release of Yes Day
In March 2021, the Netflix comedy movie Yes Day, starring Jenna Ortega as a stubborn teenager, was released to mixed reviews.
March 17, 2021: Premiere of The Fallout at South by Southwest
On March 17, 2021, The Fallout premiered at South by Southwest. The film received a positive response from critics, and Jenna Ortega's acting was applauded.
May 2021: Casting as Wednesday Addams
In May 2021, Jenna Ortega was cast as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix comedy-horror series Wednesday.
2021: Desire to avoid being typecast
In 2021, Jenna Ortega expressed her desire to avoid being typecast and to take on diverse acting roles to transition to more mature roles.
2021: Performance in The Fallout
In 2021, Jenna Ortega received praise for her performance as a traumatized high school student in the drama film The Fallout.
January 27, 2022: Release of The Fallout on HBO Max
On January 27, 2022, The Fallout was released on HBO Max. The film received a positive response from critics, and Jenna Ortega's acting was applauded.
2022: Appearances in Studio 666, X, and American Carnage
In 2022, Jenna Ortega appeared in the horror film Studio 666, the slasher film X, and the comedy-horror American Carnage. Her role in X received positive reviews.
2022: Production of Wednesday's First Season
In 2022, Jenna Ortega called the production of Wednesday's first season her "most overwhelming job". She spoke about being in a constant state of confusion and stress over the direction of the series and character, and often had to change her lines without informing the crew.
2022: Role as Tara Carpenter in Scream
In 2022, Jenna Ortega played Tara Carpenter in the slasher film Scream, the fifth film in the Scream franchise. The film was a critical and commercial success.
2022: Rise to prominence as a scream queen
In 2022, Jenna Ortega rose to wider prominence as a scream queen after co-starring in the successful slasher films Scream and X, and gained international recognition for her portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix horror-comedy series Wednesday.
2022: Referred to as the "Next Big Thing"
In 2022, The Hollywood Reporter referred to Jenna Ortega as the "Next Big Thing".
2022: Public persona described by Who What Wear
In 2022, Who What Wear described Jenna Ortega as "poised, mature, and wise beyond her years" while providing "an essence of relatability".
2022: Continued Voicing in Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous
Jenna Ortega voiced a travel vlogger named Brooklynn in the Netflix animated show Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, which lasted until 2022.
March 2023: Hosting Saturday Night Live and Release of Scream VI
In March 2023, Jenna Ortega hosted an episode of NBC's sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. She also reprised her role as Tara Carpenter in Scream VI, which was released in March 2023 and grossed over $169 million.
November 2023: Exit from the Scream franchise
In November 2023, Jenna Ortega exited the Scream franchise after her co-star Melissa Barrera was fired due to her pro-Palestinian comments on the Gaza war. Ortega stated a subsequent film did not appear to be the "right move" due to the changing cast and crew.
2023: Harper's Bazaar and Vanity Fair on Ortega's persona and horror icon status
In 2023, Harper's Bazaar described Jenna Ortega as "quiet and contemplative", while Vanity Fair noted her "black-hole persona" but warmer nature. She was also recognized as a horror icon and "Gen Z's scream queen".
2023: Appearance on Variety's "Young Hollywood Impact Report" and The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100
In 2023, Jenna Ortega appeared on Variety's "Young Hollywood Impact Report" and The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100.
2023: Ambassador for Adidas and Dior
In 2023, Jenna Ortega became an ambassador for Adidas and Dior, representing Adidas Sportswear and the #DareInGrisDior campaign.
2023: Co-starring in Scream VI
In 2023, Jenna Ortega co-starred in the successful slasher film Scream VI.
2023: Artists4Ceasefire letter and condemnation of Tel al-Sultan attack
In 2023, Jenna Ortega signed a letter as part of Artists4Ceasefire, urging for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and later condemned the Tel al-Sultan attack.
2023: Mindful of gore scale and conflicted interests
In 2023, Jenna Ortega stated she is mindful of not "over-indexing on the gore scale" and feels "very conflicted" about her interests.
2023: Featured on The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 list
In 2023, Jenna Ortega was featured on the Power 100 list from The Hollywood Reporter, recognizing her influence in the entertainment industry.
February 2024: Starring in Doritos Super Bowl LVIII advertisement
In February 2024, Jenna Ortega starred in an advertisement for Doritos that aired at the Super Bowl LVIII.
2024: Starring in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
In 2024, Jenna Ortega starred as Astrid Deetz in "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice", a sequel to the 1988 film. The movie premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and grossed $451 million worldwide.
2024: Starring role in Miller's Girl and premiere of Winter Spring Summer or Fall at Tribeca Festival
In 2024, Jenna Ortega starred in the drama "Miller's Girl" as Cairo Sweet, a high schooler in a complicated relationship with her teacher. She also appeared in the romantic drama "Winter Spring Summer or Fall", which premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, where she played Remi Aguilar, a driven genius.
2024: Featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 list
In 2024, Jenna Ortega was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, highlighting her achievements as a young actress.
2024: Called "The Gen Z Obsession" by The Hollywood Reporter and included in Forbes 30 Under 30
In 2024, The Hollywood Reporter called Jenna Ortega "The Gen Z Obsession", and she was included in Forbes' 30 Under 30 in the Hollywood & Entertainment category.
2025: Reprising Wednesday role and becoming a producer
In 2025, Jenna Ortega reprised her role as Wednesday in the second season of the show and became a producer, involved in writing, design, and casting.
2025: Starring in Death of a Unicorn and Hurry Up Tomorrow
In 2025, Jenna Ortega starred in "Death of a Unicorn" as a daughter who accidentally kills a unicorn with her father, and in "Hurry Up Tomorrow" as Anima, a troubled young woman.
2025: Starring in Hurry Up Tomorrow
In 2025, Jenna Ortega starred in the thriller film Hurry Up Tomorrow.
2025: Disclosure of obsessive-compulsive disorder
In 2025, Jenna Ortega stated that she has obsessive–compulsive disorder.
2025: Global beauty ambassador for Dior
In 2025, Jenna Ortega was announced as a global beauty ambassador for Dior.
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