Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mckenna Grace
How Mckenna Grace built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Mckenna Grace is an American actress and singer who began her professional career at age five. She gained early recognition for her roles as Jasmine Bernstein in 'Crash & Bernstein' and Faith Newman in 'The Young and the Restless'. Her breakthrough came with her starring role as a child prodigy in the film 'Gifted' (2017), earning her a Critics' Choice Movie Award nomination for Best Young Performer. She has continued to act in various film and television projects.
3 hours ago : Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames attend 'Regretting You' screening in Los Angeles.
Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames attended the 'Regretting You' sorority screening in Los Angeles. Grace received support from movie icons at the event. The pair posed together for photos.
1954: Preparing for The Bad Seed
In preparation for her role as Emma Grossman in The Bad Seed remake, Mckenna Grace consulted the 1954 novel of the same name by William March.
1956: Preparing for The Bad Seed
In preparation for her role as Emma Grossman in The Bad Seed remake, Mckenna Grace watched the 1956 film, The Bad Seed.
1973: Screams compared to Linda Blair in The Exorcist
In 2022, Grace reprised her role as Esther in the fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale. Den of Geek favorably compared her screams in the season's sixth episode to those of Linda Blair in The Exorcist (1973).
1984: Ghostbusters (1984)
In 2021, Grace had a leading role as Phoebe Spengler in the supernatural comedy Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), the sequel to Ghostbusters (1984).
1985: The Handmaid's Tale Adaptation
In 2021, Mckenna Grace began recurring on the Hulu dystopian series The Handmaid's Tale, an adaptation of the 1985 novel of the same name.
1989: Ghostbusters II (1989)
In 2021, Grace had a leading role as Phoebe Spengler in the supernatural comedy Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), the sequel to Ghostbusters II (1989).
2001: Preparation for Gifted
To prepare for her role in Gifted, Mckenna Grace watched several films about child prodigies, including I Am Sam.
2002: Preparation for Gifted
To prepare for her role in Gifted, Mckenna Grace watched several films about child prodigies, including In America.
2012: Role in Crash & Bernstein
In 2012, Mckenna Grace secured parts in Crash & Bernstein.
2013: Film debut in Goodbye World and role in The Young and the Restless
In 2013, Mckenna Grace made her film debut in Goodbye World and had a recurring role as Faith Newman on the soap opera The Young and the Restless.
2013: Role in Goodbye World
In 2013, Mckenna Grace secured parts in Goodbye World.
2014: Reprising role in Crash & Bernstein
In 2014, Mckenna Grace reprised her role in the show Crash & Bernstein.
2014: Crash & Bernstein role until 2014
Mckenna Grace played the role of Jasmine Bernstein in the show Crash & Bernstein until 2014.
September 2015: Joining the cast of Gifted
In September 2015, Mckenna Grace joined the cast of the drama film Gifted.
2015: Critically Acclaimed Film: Frankenstein
In 2015, McKenna Grace appeared in the film Frankenstein, which is one of her most critically acclaimed films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2015: Role in The Vampire Diaries and recurring role in The Young and the Restless
In 2015, Mckenna Grace portrayed young Caroline Forbes in The Vampire Diaries and had a recurring role in The Young and the Restless.
2016: Appearances in Mr. Church, The Angry Birds Movie, and Independence Day: Resurgence
In 2016, Mckenna Grace appeared in three films—Mr. Church, The Angry Birds Movie, and Independence Day: Resurgence.
2017: Critically Acclaimed Films: Gifted and I, Tonya
In 2017, McKenna Grace appeared in the films Gifted and I, Tonya, both of which are among her most critically acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2017: Appearances in I, Tonya
In 2017, Mckenna Grace appeared in the film I, Tonya.
2017: Portrayal of Young Tonya Harding in I, Tonya
In 2017, Mckenna Grace portrayed the younger version of Tonya Harding in the biopic I, Tonya, learning to ice skate for the role.
2017: Starring in Gifted
In 2017, Mckenna Grace starred as a child prodigy in Gifted, a breakthrough for which she received a nomination for the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer.
September 2018: Premiere of The Bad Seed
In September 2018, The Bad Seed premiered on Lifetime, with critics commending Mckenna Grace's performance as Emma Grossman.
2018: Best Child Television Actors
In 2018, IndieWire cited McKenna Grace as one of the best child television actors. The Hollywood Reporter also named her one of the top 30 stars under age 18.
2018: Appearances in Horror Projects
In 2018, Mckenna Grace appeared in several horror projects, including The Bad Seed, The Haunting of Hill House.
2018: Starring in The Haunting of Hill House and guest appearance in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
In 2018, Mckenna Grace starred in Netflix's The Haunting of Hill House and made a guest appearance on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina's holiday special.
2019: Critically Acclaimed Films: Captain Marvel, Troop Zero, Annabelle Comes Home
In 2019, McKenna Grace appeared in the films Captain Marvel, Troop Zero and Annabelle Comes Home. All of which are among her most critically acclaimed films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2019: Appearances in Troop Zero and Captain Marvel
In 2019, Mckenna Grace appeared in the films Troop Zero and Captain Marvel.
2019: Release of Annabelle Comes Home
In 2019, Mckenna Grace starred in the supernatural horror film Annabelle Comes Home.
2019: Top Stars Under 18
In 2019, The Hollywood Reporter named McKenna Grace one of the top 30 stars under age 18.
2020: Signed with Photo Finish Records
In 2020, McKenna Grace signed with Photo Finish Records.
2020: Voice acting in Scoob!
In 2020, Mckenna Grace voiced the younger Daphne Blake in Scoob!.
2020: Writing The Bad Seed Returns
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mckenna Grace and her father wrote The Bad Seed Returns.
April 27, 2021: Premiere of The Handmaid's Tale Season 4
On April 27, 2021, the fourth season of The Handmaid's Tale premiered, featuring Mckenna Grace as Esther Keyes.
November 2021: Release of Haunted House
In November 2021, McKenna Grace released her debut single, "Haunted House", along with a music video. The song was co-written with Lily Kincade and produced by Nathaniel Motte and was eventually added to the soundtrack of Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
November 19, 2021: Theatrical Release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife
On November 19, 2021, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, starring Mckenna Grace as Phoebe Spengler, was released theatrically.
2021: Critically Acclaimed Film: Ghostbusters: Afterlife
In 2021, McKenna Grace appeared in the film Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which is one of her most critically acclaimed films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2021: Release of Debut Single
In 2021, Mckenna Grace released her debut single, "Haunted House", as part of the Ghostbusters: Afterlife soundtrack.
2021: Nomination for The Handmaid's Tale
In 2021, Mckenna Grace was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for playing Esther Keyes in The Handmaid's Tale.
March 2022: Cast in A Friend of the Family
In March 2022, McKenna Grace joined the cast of Peacock's true crime miniseries A Friend of the Family as Jan Broberg. She shared the role with Hendrix Yancey and worked alongside the real Jan Broberg. Grace described the role as emotionally and physically exhausting.
August 2022: Cancellation of Scoob! Holiday Haunt
In August 2022, the follow-up film Scoob! Holiday Haunt, in which Mckenna Grace was set to reprise her role, was canceled.
September 5, 2022: Premiere of The Bad Seed Returns
On September 5, 2022, The Bad Seed Returns, written and executive produced by Mckenna Grace, premiered on Lifetime.
October 6, 2022: A Friend of the Family Premiere
On October 6, 2022, A Friend of the Family, starring McKenna Grace as Jan Broberg, premiered to positive critical reviews. Grace's performance was praised for conveying the vulnerability and dread of her character.
November 18, 2022: Release of Self Dysmorphia
On November 18, 2022, McKenna Grace released "Self Dysmorphia", inspired by her struggles with scoliosis. She hoped it would help others feel less alone.
December 2022: Performance on The Today Show
In December 2022, McKenna Grace performed the song "Self Dysmorphia" on The Today Show.
2022: Writing and Starring in The Bad Seed Returns, and portraying Jan Broberg in A Friend of the Family.
In 2022, Mckenna Grace wrote, executive produced, and starred in The Bad Seed Returns, and portrayed Jan Broberg in A Friend of the Family.
2022: Prolific Child Actor
In 2022, Yahoo! Entertainment called McKenna Grace "one of the most successful and prolific child actors of her generation."
March 3, 2023: Release of Bittersweet 16 EP
On March 3, 2023, McKenna Grace's debut EP, Bittersweet 16, was released, featuring songs like "Post Party Trauma", "Ugly Crier", and "Checkered Vans".
May 12, 2023: Crater Released on Disney+
On May 12, 2023, Crater, starring McKenna Grace as Addison, was released on Disney+. Grace signed onto the film because the screenplay made her cry and she admired its ending, heart, dialogue, and relationships. Grace's performance was considered the finest by critics.
October 13, 2023: Release of Autumn Leaves EP
On October 13, 2023, McKenna Grace's second EP, Autumn Leaves, was released. One of the songs, "Catch Me," showcased her storytelling skills.
2023: Critically Acclaimed Films: Crater and PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie
In 2023, McKenna Grace appeared in the films Crater and PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie. Both are among her most critically acclaimed films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2023: Release of Extended Plays
In 2023, Mckenna Grace released two extended plays: Bittersweet 16 and Autumn Leaves.
March 2024: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Released
In March 2024, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was released, with McKenna Grace reprising her role as Phoebe. In preparation for the role, Grace analyzed Harold Ramis's performance as Egon Spengler. Critics noted that she should have been allowed to properly lead the film.
December 2024: Upcoming Role in Anniversary
As of December 2024, McKenna Grace is set to appear in Jan Komasa's Anniversary, a thriller about a family split apart by a new movement.
2024: Release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
In 2024, Mckenna Grace appeared in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire as Phoebe Spengler, receiving critical praise and a Critics' Choice Super Award nomination.
April 2025: Cast in Sunrise on the Reaping
In April 2025, it was revealed that McKenna Grace was cast in Sunrise on the Reaping as Maysilee Donner.
2025: Critically Acclaimed Film: Slanted
In 2025, McKenna Grace is set to appear in the film Slanted, which is one of her most critically acclaimed films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
2025: Upcoming Roles in What We Hide and Slanted
In 2025, McKenna Grace is set to star in the drama film What We Hide and Amy Wang's satirical drama Slanted.
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