Renowned actor Jenna Ortega has gained recognition through her lead character in Netflix’s popular series, Wednesday.
Jenna Ortega Age
Lauded for her lead role in Netflix’s widely acclaimed series, Wednesday, Jenna Ortega rose to prominence in the film industry at a young age. Hailing from a Mexican and Puerto Rican lineage, Ortega commenced her acting journey at the tender age of 9. Graduating from her initial Disney Channel fame, Ortega demonstrated her versatility by making notable appearances in several horror films such as X and Studio 666. The reboot of the Scream series features her as Tara Carpenter. Her remarkable portrayal of Wednesday Addams in Wednesday earned her a prestigious Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2023.
Jenna Ortega Early Years
Ortega was born on September 27, 2002, in La Quinta, California. Jenna’s first acting gig came when she was 9 as she starred in a Colgate toothpaste commercial. Her parents, Edward and Natalie, despite not having any particular interest in the film industry, supported their daughter’s aspirations. Ortega attributes her success to her family’s sacrifices, especially her mother who would drive her from their home in California’s Coachella Valley to Los Angeles for auditions. Ortega is one among six siblings and comes from a Mexican and Puerto Rican background.
Cinematic Journey: ‘Wednesday,’ ‘You,’ ‘Iron Man 3,’ and Beyond
Following a brief stint in Iron Man 3, Ortega’s career took off with major roles in The CW’s show Jane the Virgin, the Netflix series You, as the protagonist in Disney’s Stuck in the Middle, and in the recent Scream films where she portrays Tara Carpenter. Despite facing casting challenges due to her unique ethnicity, Ortega remained steadfast in her pursuit, which eventually led to her clinching high-profile roles.
Ortega’s crowning achievement to date is her leading role in Netflix’s Wednesday where she brings to life the iconic character of Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family series. This role garnered her nominations for the Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Awards, along with a win for Best Performance in a Show at the 2023 MTV Movie and TV Awards. In Wednesday, she shares screen space with renowned actors including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, and her offscreen buddy, Gwendoline Christie, who stars as Principal Weems and stands tall at 6-foot-3, dwarfing the 5-foot-1-inch Ortega.
Jenna Ortega, a Family of Six
Jenna Ortega, the shining star of “Wednesday,” was welcomed into the world on September 27, 2002. Raised in Southern California’s Coachella Valley, she was one among six siblings. Despite the demands of her profession as an emergency room nurse and managing a large family, Ortega’s mother would make a seven-hour drive to facilitate Ortega’s auditions in Los Angeles.
Influenced by Dakota Fanning
Ortega’s passion for acting was ignited at the tender age of six, after watching Dakota Fanning’s exceptional performance in the nail-biting action thriller, “Man on Fire,” released in 2004. She admired Fanning’s portrayal of Lupita Ramos, a girl guarded by a former CIA agent played by Denzel Washington. As she shared on the “Tamron Hall Show” in 2021, Ortega aspired to be “the Puerto Rican version of her (Fanning).”
Facebook Video Leads to Discovery
At seven years old, Ortega’s acting skills caught the attention of a casting agent through a video posted by her mother on Facebook. The video featured Ortega performing a monologue, which Ortega admitted, during her interview on “Tamron Hall Show,” was more of a jest. Despite her initial concerns regarding the entertainment industry, Ortega’s mother fueled her daughter’s dramatic streak by gifting her a monologue book. This led to Ortega’s monologue video which eventually paved her way to a series of commercials for renowned brands like McDonald’s and Old Navy before landing her roles in TV and film.
Young Ortega’s Adoration for Barack Obama
Ortega confessed that she used to harbor a significant crush on the former US President, Barack Obama. In an interview with Elle, she mentioned that her infatuation with Obama led her to aspire to be the first female president. Ortega humorously commented, “I had phases where I clung to something and then made it my entire personality,” while adding that her admiration for Obama continues.
Ortega’s Acting Debut Started with a Toothpaste Commercial
During her debut on “Saturday Night Live”, Ortega, renowned for her role in “Scream”, shared that her journey into acting started with a toothpaste advertisement at the tender age of 9. Her entrance into television acting was marked by roles in “Rob” and “CSI: NY” in 2012. Ortega’s big screen debut came with the movie “After Words”, released in 2015.
Unintentional Recurring Role in McDonald’s Advertisements
Ortega revealed an amusing anecdote during her 2022 interview on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, where she was inadvertently cast in three consecutive McDonald’s advertisements within a year. The cause: casting directors unaware of her previous roles in the same commercials. This resulted in an unintentional year-long stint as the “McDonald’s girl”. However, the experience was not all roses, as in each commercial she was typecast as a child with an apple, leading to her disillusionment. So much so, that she now feels a surge of annoyance every time she lays eyes on an apple.
