Early Life and Education of Jenna Ortega: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Jenna Ortega. A timeline of key moments.

Jenna Marie Ortega is an American actress who started her career as a child. She gained recognition for playing young Jane in 'Jane the Virgin' (2014-2019). Ortega won an Imagen Award for her lead role as Harley Diaz in Disney's 'Stuck in the Middle' (2016-2018). She also played Ellie Alves in the thriller 'You' (2019) and starred in the Netflix family film 'Yes Day' (2021).

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1988: Reference to the original Beetlejuice film

In 1988, the movie Beetlejuice was released, and in 2024, Jenna Ortega would star in the sequel to this movie.

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September 27, 2002: Jenna Ortega's Birth

On September 27, 2002, Jenna Marie Ortega was born. She is an American actress.

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2004: Inspired by Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire

In 2004, Jenna Ortega was inspired to pursue acting after watching Dakota Fanning in the film Man on Fire.

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2016: Secured a role in Stuck in the Middle

After securing a role in Stuck in the Middle (2016–2018), Jenna Ortega got an apartment in Los Angeles.

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2016: Organized meet-and-greet event

In 2016, Jenna Ortega organized a meet-and-greet event for fans to raise money for a young girl with cancer.

2018: Stopped working on Stuck in the Middle

In 2018, Jenna Ortega stopped working on Stuck in the Middle, after which she aimed to act in more mature projects.

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2018: Stuck in the Middle ended

In 2018, Jenna Ortega's leading role in the Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle ended.

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2018: Wore jacket displaying message

In 2018, at the 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 jacket, which read, "I Really Don't Care, Do U?", to show concern for migrant children.

2019: Appeared 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.

2021: Named Riz Ahmed as a career role model

In 2021, Jenna Ortega named Riz Ahmed as a career role model, praising his acting, manner of speaking, and activism.

2022: Described as poised, mature, and wise beyond her years

In 2022, Who What Wear described Jenna Ortega as "poised, mature, and wise beyond her years" while providing "an essence of relatability".

2023: Described as quiet and contemplative

In 2023, Harper's Bazaar described Jenna Ortega as "quiet and contemplative", while Vanity Fair wrote that she has a "black-hole persona" but is "much warmer and more cheerful than you'd expect".

2023: Called for ceasefire in Gaza Strip

In 2023, Jenna Ortega, as part of Artists4Ceasefire, signed a letter urging the United States Congress and President Joe Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. She later condemned the Tel al-Sultan attack.