History of Jenna Ortega in Timeline

Jenna Marie Ortega is an American actress, recognized for her contributions to the horror genre, earning her the title "Gen Z's scream queen." She has been featured on The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 list (2023) and Forbes 30 Under 30 list (2024), highlighting her influence and achievements in the entertainment industry.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1988: Release of Beetlejuice

In 1988, the movie "Beetlejuice" was released. In 2024, Jenna Ortega starred in "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice", a sequel to Beetlejuice (1988).

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1992: Single White Female Release Year

In 1992, the thriller film "Single White Female" was released, which Ortega is attached to co-star and produce a remake titled "Single Female" opposite Taylor Russell.

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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 known for her work in horror, earning her the title of "Gen Z's scream queen".

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2016: Organized a Meet-and-Greet for Charity

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

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 Protest Jacket at Radio Disney Music Awards

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.

December 26, 2019: Release of You Season 2

On December 26, 2019, the second season of the Netflix thriller series You, in which Ortega played Ellie Alves, was released and received positive reviews. Robyn Bahr of The Hollywood Reporter noted Ortega as "a standout performer".

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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.

September 2020: Release of The Babysitter: Killer Queen

In September 2020, Netflix released The Babysitter: Killer Queen, a horror film in which Ortega played Phoebe, the love interest of Judah Lewis's character. The movie received negative critical reviews.

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2020: Named Neutrogena Brand Ambassador

In 2020, Jenna Ortega was named a brand ambassador for Neutrogena and was the face of its "My Quinceañera Journey" campaign.

March 2021: Release of Yes Day

In March 2021, the comedy movie Yes Day, starring Ortega as a stubborn teenager, was released on Netflix to mixed reviews. IndieWire lauded Ortega as "very capable", and the Associated Press referred to her as "an impressively poised young actor".

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March 17, 2021: Premiere of The Fallout at South by Southwest

On March 17, 2021, The Fallout, a high-school drama film starring Ortega, premiered at South by Southwest. The film received a positive response from critics, and Ortega's acting was applauded.

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May 2021: Ortega cast as Wednesday Addams

In May 2021, Ortega was cast as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix comedy-horror series Wednesday. The casting team felt her portrayal offered the character the necessary empathy.

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2021: Expressed Desire to Avoid Typecasting

In 2021, Jenna Ortega told Entertainment Tonight that she did not want to be pigeonholed as an actor and desired to accept diverse roles.

January 27, 2022: Release of The Fallout on HBO Max

On January 27, 2022, the high-school drama film The Fallout, starring Ortega, was released on HBO Max. The film received a positive response from critics, and Ortega's acting was applauded.

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2022: Referred to as the Next Big Thing

In 2022, The Hollywood Reporter referred to Jenna Ortega as the "Next Big Thing".

2022: Characterized as Poised and Mature

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

March 2023: Hosting Saturday Night Live and Scream VI Release

In March 2023, Ortega hosted an episode of NBC's sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. Additionally, Scream VI, in which Ortega reprised her role as Tara Carpenter, was released in March 2023 and grossed over $169 million.

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November 2023: Ortega's Exit from Scream Franchise

In November 2023, 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.

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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

In 2023, Jenna Ortega appeared on Variety's "Young Hollywood Impact Report" and The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100.

2023: Became Adidas and Dior Ambassador

In 2023, Jenna Ortega became an ambassador for Adidas and Dior, and was the face of Adidas Sportswear and one of the faces of the #DareInGrisDior campaign.

2023: Expressed Conflict About Violent Film Association

In 2023, Jenna Ortega said she is mindful of not becoming overly associated with violent films and feels very conflicted about her interests.

2023: Signed Letter Urging Ceasefire in Gaza Strip

In 2023, as part of Artists4Ceasefire, Jenna Ortega 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.

February 2024: Starred in Doritos Super Bowl Ad

In February 2024, Jenna Ortega starred in an advertisement for Doritos that aired at the Super Bowl LVIII.

2024: Starred in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

In 2024, Jenna Ortega starred in Burton's fantasy film "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice", a sequel to "Beetlejuice (1988)", playing Astrid Deetz. The film opened at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and grossed $451 million worldwide.

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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, 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 Tribeca Festival, playing Remi Aguilar, a driven genius who falls in love with a rebellious musician. Ortega also starred in the music video for Sabrina Carpenter's song "Taste".

2024: Referred to as The Gen Z Obsession

In 2024, The Hollywood Reporter referred to Jenna Ortega as "The Gen Z Obsession". Forbes included her on the 2024 edition of its 30 Under 30 in the Hollywood & Entertainment category.

2025: Reprised Role in Wednesday Season 2 and Served as Producer

In 2025, Jenna Ortega reprised her role as Wednesday in the second season of "Wednesday", also becoming a producer for the season. Upon the season's release, her performance continued to receive positive reviews.

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2025: Starred in Death of a Unicorn

In 2025, Jenna Ortega starred in the dark comedy "Death of a Unicorn" as a daughter who accidentally kills a unicorn with her father. She also featured in Trey Edward Shults' "Hurry Up Tomorrow", playing Anima, a troubled young woman.

2025: Stated Having Anxiety and OCD

In 2025, Jenna Ortega stated that she has anxiety and obsessive–compulsive disorder.

2025: Announced as Dior Global Beauty Ambassador

In 2025, Jenna Ortega was announced as a global beauty ambassador for Dior.

2025: Listed Among Best Dressed of the Year by Vogue

In 2025, Vogue listed Jenna Ortega among the best dressed of the year, stating that she is noted for leading the goth resurgence in dramatic silhouettes.