Jenna Ortega is a 22-year-old American actress born September 27, 2002, in Coachella Valley, California, who gained prominence through her breakout role as Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s “Wednesday” series. Beginning her career at age eight, Ortega appeared in “Jane the Virgin” and Disney Channel’s “Stuck in the Middle” before establishing herself as a horror genre star through “Scream,” “X,” and “The Babysitter: Killer Queen.” Her achievements encompass Golden Globe nominations and advocacy for Latino representation in Hollywood.
A rising star in contemporary entertainment, Jenna Marie Ortega has established herself as one of Hollywood’s most prominent young actresses, earning recognition for her versatile performances across television, film, and horror genres. Born September 27, 2002, in Coachella Valley, California, to parents Edward and Natalie Ortega, she draws from Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage while growing up in a large family with three sisters and two brothers.
Ortega began her acting career at age eight or nine, securing early television appearances that laid the foundation for her subsequent success. Her breakthrough came with the role of Young Jane in the acclaimed series “Jane the Virgin” from 2014 to 2019, followed by her starring performance as Harley Diaz in Disney Channel’s “Stuck in the Middle” from 2016 to 2018, which earned her an Imagen Award for her work.
Ortega’s early television work, beginning at age eight, established the foundation for her breakthrough role as Young Jane in the critically acclaimed series.
The actress demonstrated her range through diverse projects, including her portrayal of Ellie Alves in Netflix’s psychological thriller “You” in 2019, and leading roles in films such as “Yes Day” and “The Fallout” in 2021. Her horror genre credentials expanded with appearances in “The Babysitter: Killer Queen” in 2020, “Insidious: Chapter 2,” and particularly “X” in 2022, where she played Lorraine Day.
Ortega’s career reached new heights with her casting as Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s “Wednesday” series, which premiered in 2022 and earned her nominations for Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. For this iconic role, she learned to play the cello to bring authenticity to her portrayal of the character. Simultaneously, she established herself as a prominent figure in the horror franchise “Scream,” portraying Tara Carpenter in both the 2022 film and “Scream VI” in 2023, earning the title “Gen Z’s scream queen” from entertainment media.
Her recent accomplishments include hosting “Saturday Night Live” on March 11, 2023, and starring in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” in 2024. The Austin Film Critics Association recognized her with the Breakthrough Artist Award for multiple performances, while she received the People’s Choice Award for Drama Movie Star of the Year for “Scream VI.”
Beyond entertainment, Ortega actively advocates for Latino representation in Hollywood, discussing barriers faced due to ethnicity and casting stereotypes. She supports various charitable causes and youth advocacy initiatives while engaging in mental health and social justice conversations. Growing up, she almost quit acting to focus on her passion for soccer before ultimately continuing her entertainment career.
Her influence extends to fashion and social media, where she maintains a strong presence. Recognition of her impact includes inclusion in The Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100 list in 2023 and Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2024.
