History of Jenna Ortega in Timeline
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).
2 days ago : Jenna Ortega discusses 'Wednesday' fame, feeling unhappy, and schoolgirl outfit concerns.
Jenna Ortega reveals feelings about 'Wednesday' fame, expressing unhappiness and concerns about the patronizing nature of wearing a schoolgirl outfit on set. She emphasizes not seeking permission.
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.
September 27, 2002: Jenna Ortega's Birth
On September 27, 2002, Jenna Marie Ortega was born. She is an American actress.
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.
2012: Acting Debut in Rob
In 2012, Jenna Ortega made her acting debut in the sitcom Rob and later made a guest appearance in the CSI: NY episode "Unspoken".
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. In the same year, Ortega appeared in the horror film Insidious: Chapter 2 as a part of the supporting cast.
2014: Recurring role on Jane the Virgin
From 2014 to 2019, 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 and After Words
In 2015, Jenna Ortega starred in the Netflix sitcom Richie Rich and appeared in the comedy-drama film After Words as Anna Chapa.
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.
2016: Leading role in Stuck in the Middle and Elena of Avalor
From 2016 to 2018, Jenna Ortega led the Disney Channel sitcom Stuck in the Middle as Harley Diaz. She also voiced Princess Isabel in Elena and the Secret of Avalor (2016) and Elena of Avalor (2016–2020).
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: Won Imagen Award for Stuck in the Middle
In 2018, Jenna Ortega garnered three Imagen Award nominations for Best Young Actor – Television, including a win.
2018: Starred in Saving Flora
In 2018, Jenna Ortega starred in the film Saving Flora in the lead role of Dawn. She was also cast as Ellie Alves in the second season of the Netflix thriller series You.
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.
2018: Stuck in the Middle ended
In 2018, Jenna Ortega's leading role in the Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle ended.
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: 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.
December 26, 2019: Release of You season 2
On December 26, 2019, the second season of the Netflix thriller series You, in which Jenna Ortega played Ellie Alves, was released.
2019: Ended recurring role on Jane the Virgin
From 2014 to 2019, Jenna Ortega had a recurring role on The CW comedy television series Jane the Virgin as a younger version of Jane Villanueva.
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.
2019: Role in You
In 2019, Jenna Ortega played Ellie Alves in the thriller series You.
September 2020: Release of The Babysitter: Killer Queen
In September 2020, Jenna Ortega played Phoebe in Netflix's horror film The Babysitter: Killer Queen, which was released to negative critical reviews. She also voiced a travel vlogger named Brooklynn in the Netflix animated show Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous (2020–2022).
2020: Named brand ambassador for Neutrogena
In 2020, Jenna Ortega was named a brand ambassador for the cosmetics manufacturer Neutrogena and was the face of its "My Quinceañera Journey" campaign.
2020: Ended Elena of Avalor
In 2020, Jenna Ortega's role in Elena of Avalor came to an end.
March 2021: Release of Yes Day
In March 2021, Jenna Ortega starred in the Netflix comedy movie Yes Day, portraying a stubborn teenager. Yes Day was released to mixed reviews.
March 17, 2021: The Fallout premiered at South by Southwest
On March 17, 2021, the high-school drama film The Fallout, starring Jenna Ortega, premiered at South by Southwest. The film received a positive response from critics, and Ortega's acting was applauded.
May 2021: Cast as Wednesday Addams
In May 2021, Jenna Ortega was cast as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix comedy-horror series Wednesday, which she called a "new chapter" in her career.
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.
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.
2021: Starred in Yes Day
In 2021, Jenna Ortega starred in the family film Yes Day for Netflix.
2021: Discussed avoiding being typecast
In 2021, Jenna Ortega told Entertainment Tonight that she did not want to be "pigeonholed as an actor" and that her desire to accept the most diverse roles possible made the transition to mature roles easier for her.
January 27, 2022: Release of The Fallout on HBO Max
On January 27, 2022, the high-school drama film The Fallout, starring Jenna Ortega, was released on HBO Max. The film received a positive response from critics, and Ortega's acting was applauded.
2022: Starred in Studio 666, X, and American Carnage
In 2022, Jenna Ortega appeared in the Foo Fighters–led horror film Studio 666 and starred in the slasher film X and the comedy-horror American Carnage.
2022: Production of Wednesday
In 2022, Jenna Ortega called the production of Wednesday's first season her "most overwhelming job".
2022: Starred in Wednesday and Scream
In 2022, Jenna Ortega gained wide recognition for portraying Wednesday Addams in the Netflix horror-comedy series Wednesday and starred in the slasher films Scream and X.
2022: Starred in Scream
In 2022, Jenna Ortega played Tara Carpenter in the slasher film Scream, which was a critical and commercial success.
2022: Ended Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous
In 2022, Jenna Ortega's role in Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous came to an end.
2022: Referred to as the Next Big Thing
In 2022, The Hollywood Reporter referred to Jenna Ortega as the "Next Big Thing".
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".
March 2023: Hosted Saturday Night Live and starred in Scream VI
In March 2023, Jenna Ortega hosted an episode of NBC's sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live and reprised her role as Tara Carpenter in Scream VI, which was released in the same month.
November 2023: Exited 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. In the crime thriller film Finestkind (2023), Ortega played Mabel.
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: Appeared 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", a list of breakthrough performers, and The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100, a list of the most powerful women in entertainment.
2023: Became an ambassador for Adidas and Dior
In 2023, Jenna Ortega became an ambassador for the sportswear company Adidas and the luxury fashion brand Dior. She was the face of Adidas Sportswear, the company's first new line in 50 years, as well as one of the faces of the #DareInGrisDior campaign.
2023: Mindful of not "over-indexing on the gore scale"
In 2023, Jenna Ortega said she is mindful of not "over-indexing on the gore scale" and feels "very conflicted" about her interests because there is "a part of me that always feels like the girl in the Coachella Valley".
2023: Starred in Scream VI
In 2023, Jenna Ortega starred in the slasher film Scream VI.
2023: Featured on the Power 100 list
In 2023, Jenna Ortega was featured on the Power 100 list from The Hollywood Reporter.
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.
February 2024: Starred in Doritos Super Bowl LVIII advertisement
In February 2024, Jenna Ortega starred in an advertisement for Doritos that aired at the Super Bowl LVIII, alongside Danny Ramirez, Olivia Negron, and Patricia Mauceri.
2024: Starred in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
In 2024, Jenna Ortega starred in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a sequel to the 1988 film Beetlejuice, playing Astrid Deetz. The film opened at the Venice International Film Festival and has grossed $451 million worldwide, with Ortega being credited for attracting younger audiences.
2024: Starred in Miller's Girl and Winter Spring Summer or Fall
In 2024, Jenna Ortega starred in the drama Miller's Girl, playing Cairo Sweet, and described the character as the most complex she had ever played. In the same year, she also appeared in and executive produced the romantic drama Winter Spring Summer or Fall, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival.
2024: Featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list
In 2024, Jenna Ortega was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
2024: Referred to as The Gen Z Obsession and included on Forbes 30 Under 30 list
In 2024, The Hollywood Reporter referred to Jenna Ortega as "The Gen Z Obsession". In the same year, Forbes included her on the 30 Under 30 list in the Hollywood & Entertainment category.
2025: Reprising role in Wednesday and joining cast of Klara and the Sun
In 2025, Jenna Ortega is slated to reprise her role as Wednesday in the second season, also becoming an executive producer. Additionally, she will join the cast of Klara and the Sun, directed by Taika Waititi.
2025: Starred in Hurry Up Tomorrow
In 2025, Jenna Ortega starred in the Weeknd-curated musical film Hurry Up Tomorrow.
2025: Starred in Death of a Unicorn and Hurry Up Tomorrow
In 2025, Jenna Ortega starred in the dark comedy Death of a Unicorn, alongside Paul Rudd, and in Hurry Up Tomorrow, co-starring with Abel Tesfaye and Barry Keoghan. Both films received mixed reviews, but Ortega's performance was generally praised.
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