History of Jenna Ortega in Timeline
Jenna Marie Ortega is a well-known American actress who started her acting journey as a child artist. She gained recognition for her portrayal of young Jane in the popular CW series "Jane the Virgin." Her role as Harley Diaz in Disney Channel's "Stuck in the Middle" from 2016 to 2018 earned her an Imagen Award. Ortega's notable works include her role as Ellie Alves in the Netflix thriller series "You" and her starring role in the Netflix family film "Yes Day" released in 2021.
1988: Release of "Beetlejuice"
Jenna Ortega is set to star in "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" (2024), a sequel to the 1988 film "Beetlejuice."
September 27, 2002: Jenna Ortega is born
On September 27, 2002, Jenna Marie Ortega was born. This event marks the beginning of her life and journey.
2004: Inspiration from Dakota Fanning
Jenna Ortega's passion for acting was ignited at a young age, particularly after watching Dakota Fanning in the 2004 film "Man on Fire." Fanning's performance left a lasting impression, inspiring Ortega to pursue a similar path.
2012: Jenna Ortega makes her acting debut in the sitcom "Rob."
Jenna Ortega officially began her acting career with a role in the sitcom "Rob" in 2012. This marked her entry into the world of television acting.
2013: Jenna Ortega appears in "Iron Man 3" and "Insidious: Chapter 2."
Jenna Ortega had a notable year in 2013, appearing in both the superhero blockbuster "Iron Man 3" and the horror sequel "Insidious: Chapter 2." These roles showcased her versatility and ability to navigate different genres.
2014: Jenna Ortega begins her recurring role in "Jane the Virgin"
In 2014, Jenna Ortega took on the recurring role of a younger Jane Villanueva in the CW's comedy-drama series, "Jane the Virgin." This marked a significant step in her acting career.
2014: Jenna Ortega is cast in "The Little Rascals Save the Day."
Jenna Ortega joined the cast of the direct-to-video comedy "The Little Rascals Save the Day" in 2014, a project that likely appealed to a younger audience familiar with the classic franchise.
2015: Jenna Ortega appears in "Richie Rich" and "After Words."
Jenna Ortega continued to build her acting resume in 2015 with roles in the Netflix sitcom "Richie Rich" and the comedy-drama film "After Words." These projects further demonstrated her versatility and ability to tackle both comedic and dramatic material.
2016: Jenna Ortega begins filming "Stuck in the Middle" and relocates to Los Angeles.
In 2016, Jenna Ortega landed the lead role in Disney Channel's "Stuck in the Middle," prompting a move to Los Angeles to accommodate filming. To manage her acting commitments, she made the difficult decision to leave traditional schooling, opting for a schedule that allowed her to work in Los Angeles during the week and return home on weekends.
2016: Jenna Ortega stars in Disney Channel's "Stuck in the Middle"
Jenna Ortega landed a leading role as Harley Diaz in the Disney Channel series "Stuck in the Middle" in 2016. The show, which ran until 2018, brought her significant recognition.
2016: Charity Meet-and-Greet
In 2016, Jenna Ortega demonstrated her commitment to social causes by organizing a meet-and-greet event. This event raised funds for a young girl battling cancer, showcasing her empathy and willingness to use her platform for good.
2016: Jenna Ortega voices Princess Isabel in Disney's "Elena and the Secret of Avalor."
Expanding her repertoire, Jenna Ortega lent her voice to the character of Princess Isabel in Disney's animated project "Elena and the Secret of Avalor" in 2016. This marked her entry into the world of voice acting.
2018: Jenna Ortega faces typecasting after "Stuck in the Middle."
After the conclusion of "Stuck in the Middle" in 2018, Jenna Ortega faced the challenge of typecasting, a common hurdle for young actors transitioning from successful Disney Channel roles. She expressed frustration with the industry's perception of her, feeling pigeonholed into a specific type of character.
2018: Jenna Ortega is cast in "Saving Flora" and faces challenges in transitioning to mature roles.
In 2018, Jenna Ortega took on the lead role of Dawn in the film "Saving Flora." However, she encountered difficulties in breaking free from the perception of her as a Disney Channel star, facing resistance in securing more mature and challenging roles.
2018: Ortega Named One of Hollywood's Rising Stars
In 2018, Jenna Ortega's rising star power was acknowledged by The Hollywood Reporter, which included her on their list of "Hollywood's Top 30 Stars Under Age 18," marking her early industry recognition.
2018: Protest at Radio Disney Music Awards
Jenna Ortega made a powerful statement at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards by wearing a jacket with the message "I Do Care and U Should Too." This act was a direct response to Melania Trump's controversial jacket, which bore the phrase "I Really Don't Care, Do U?". Ortega's protest garnered significant attention, highlighting her stance on social issues and her belief in compassion and empathy.
2018: Jenna Ortega wins an Imagen Award for her role in "Stuck in the Middle."
Jenna Ortega's performance in "Stuck in the Middle" earned her an Imagen Award for Best Young Actor – Television in 2018, recognizing her talent and impact within the industry.
2018: Jenna Ortega's "Stuck in the Middle" run ends
Jenna Ortega's time on Disney Channel's "Stuck in the Middle" concluded in 2018. She expressed a desire to pursue more mature roles, indicating a shift in her career aspirations.
December 26, 2019: Season 2 of "You," featuring Jenna Ortega, premieres on Netflix.
The highly anticipated second season of Netflix's thriller series "You," featuring Jenna Ortega as Ellie Alves, premiered on December 26, 2019. Ortega's performance was singled out for praise, further solidifying her ability to hold her own alongside established actors.
2019: Jenna Ortega's recurring role in "Jane the Virgin" comes to an end.
After a multi-year run, Jenna Ortega's time on "Jane the Virgin" came to an end in 2019 with the conclusion of the series. Her portrayal of young Jane Villanueva had earned her critical recognition and contributed to her growing success as a young actress.
2019: Jenna Ortega appears in "You" season 2
Jenna Ortega joined the cast of the popular Netflix thriller series "You" in 2019, portraying Ellie Alves in the second season.
2019: Participation in WE Day Concerts
Jenna Ortega's commitment to social causes continued in 2019 when she participated in WE Day benefit concerts across the U.S. and Canada. These concerts aimed to raise funds for WE Charity, showcasing her dedication to making a positive impact.
September 2020: Jenna Ortega appears in "The Babysitter: Killer Queen" and "Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous."
Jenna Ortega appeared in two Netflix projects released in September 2020: the horror sequel "The Babysitter: Killer Queen" and the animated series "Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous." These roles showcased her willingness to work across different genres and mediums.
2020: Jenna Ortega concludes her voiceover work on "Elena of Avalor."
Jenna Ortega's voice acting work on the Disney animated series "Elena of Avalor" concluded in 2020. Her portrayal of Princess Isabel likely introduced her to a new generation of young fans.
2020: Neutrogena Brand Ambassadorship
Jenna Ortega's rising profile led to brand partnerships, including becoming an ambassador for Neutrogena in 2020. She was featured in their "My Quinceañera Journey" campaign.
March 2021: Jenna Ortega's book, "It's All Love: Reflections for Your Heart & Soul," is released.
Jenna Ortega ventured into writing with the release of her book, "It's All Love: Reflections for Your Heart & Soul," in March 2021. The book, featuring a collection of quotes and reflections on faith and love, provided a glimpse into her personal thoughts and beliefs.
March 17, 2021: "The Fallout," starring Jenna Ortega, premieres at South by Southwest.
"The Fallout," a high-school drama starring Jenna Ortega, premiered at the prestigious South by Southwest film festival on March 17, 2021. This marked a significant moment in Ortega's career, bringing her critical acclaim and recognition for her dramatic abilities.
May 2021: Casting as Wednesday Addams
In May 2021, Jenna Ortega's career took a significant turn when she was chosen to play Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series "Wednesday". This casting decision marked a turning point in her career, and she dedicated herself to embody the iconic character.
2021: Ortega's Acting Praised for Range and Depth
In 2021, praise for Jenna Ortega's acting talent emerged, with director Megan Park highlighting her ability to balance intensity and restraint. Park emphasized the rarity of such self-awareness in a young performer. Additionally, Ortega expressed her commitment to diverse roles to avoid typecasting, seeking to broaden her horizons and challenge industry norms.
2021: Admiration for Riz Ahmed
Jenna Ortega has expressed admiration for various actors who have influenced her career. In 2021, she cited Riz Ahmed as a role model, praising his acting skills, eloquence, and activism.
2021: Jenna Ortega stars in "Yes Day"
Jenna Ortega starred in the Netflix comedy "Yes Day" in 2021. The film, released in March, showcased her ability to portray relatable teenage characters.
2021: Jenna Ortega receives critical acclaim for her performance in "The Fallout"
Jenna Ortega's performance in the teen drama "The Fallout," released in 2021, garnered significant critical praise. The film, which premiered at South by Southwest, dealt with the aftermath of a school shooting and showcased Ortega's acting range.
January 27, 2022: "The Fallout" is released on HBO Max.
Following its successful festival run, "The Fallout" was released to a wider audience on HBO Max on January 27, 2022. The film's availability on a streaming platform allowed for greater accessibility and further amplified Ortega's performance to a broader audience.
2022: Ortega's Public Persona: Poised, Relatable, and Wise Beyond Her Years
Throughout 2022, Jenna Ortega's public image was characterized by a blend of maturity, relatability, and wisdom. Publications like Who What Wear highlighted her poise and approachability, solidifying her standing as a relatable figure in popular culture.
2022: Jenna Ortega becomes a modern scream queen with roles in "Scream" and "X"
Jenna Ortega solidified her status as a modern scream queen with her roles in the slasher films "Scream" and "X," both released in 2022. Her performances were met with critical acclaim, further establishing her versatility as an actress.
2022: Appearances in "Studio 666", "X", and "American Carnage"
In 2022, Jenna Ortega appeared in three horror films: "Studio 666", "X", and "American Carnage". Critics found her role in "Studio 666" to be too small, but praised her performance in "X", directed by Ti West. "American Carnage" solidified her status as a rising star in the horror genre.
2022: Jenna Ortega stars in "Scream" and wins an MTV Movie Award.
In 2022, Jenna Ortega appeared in the highly anticipated fifth installment of the "Scream" franchise, playing the role of Tara Carpenter. Her performance was met with critical acclaim, solidifying her position as a leading actress in the horror genre. She even received the MTV Movie Award for Most Frightened Performance for her role in the film.
2022: Jenna Ortega's voiceover work on "Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous" concludes.
After lending her voice to the character of Brooklynn in Netflix's animated series "Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous" for two years, Jenna Ortega's involvement with the project came to an end in 2022.
2022: Release of "Wednesday" Season One
Jenna Ortega starred as Wednesday Addams in Netflix's "Wednesday", which premiered in 2022. Ortega's portrayal of the character, her preparation, and her influence on the series were widely discussed.
March 2023: "Saturday Night Live" Hosting and "Finestkind" Premiere
In March 2023, Jenna Ortega achieved a career milestone by hosting an episode of "Saturday Night Live". Additionally, her film "Finestkind" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, drawing mixed reviews for her performance.
March 2023: Release of "Scream VI"
Jenna Ortega reprised her role as Tara Carpenter in "Scream VI", released in March 2023. The film was a commercial success, and Ortega's performance was lauded.
November 2023: Departure from the "Scream" Franchise
In a significant development, Jenna Ortega reportedly exited the "Scream" franchise in November 2023, due to scheduling conflicts and pay disputes with the production.
2023: Support for Ceasefire in Gaza
In 2023, Jenna Ortega added her voice to the call for peace in the Middle East. She joined a group called Artists4Ceasefire, signing a letter that urged the U.S. government to push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
2023: Ortega's Reign as "Gen Z's Scream Queen"
By 2023, Jenna Ortega had earned the title of "Gen Z's scream queen" due to her impactful performances in the horror genre. Her talent even led MovieWeb to rank her among the best scream queens of all time, solidifying her place in horror film history.
2023: Ortega Reflects on Career Choices and Artistic Sensibilities
By 2023, Ortega showed a nuanced perspective on her career, expressing a desire to balance her interest in horror with a sense of responsibility regarding graphic content. She acknowledged a tension between her artistic inclinations and personal values, referring to her upbringing while navigating her evolving public image.
2023: Adidas and Dior Brand Ambassadorship
In 2023, Jenna Ortega secured major brand ambassadorships with Adidas and Dior, solidifying her status as a fashion icon and influential figure. She became the face of Adidas Sportswear and participated in Dior's #DareInGrisDior campaign.
2024: Release of "Miller's Girl"
Jenna Ortega starred in "Miller's Girl" alongside Martin Freeman, released in 2024. While praised for her on-screen presence, the film received mixed reviews.
2024: Upcoming Projects: "Beetlejuice 2", "Klara and the Sun", and more
Jenna Ortega's upcoming projects in 2024 include roles in Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice 2" and Taika Waititi's "Klara and the Sun." She is also slated to star in and executive produce several other films, showcasing her versatility and rising prominence in the entertainment industry.