Before Her Goth Queen Role, ‘Wednesday’ Star Jenna Ortega Was a Child Actor
Before Jenna Ortega rose to fame as the goth queen Wednesday Addams in Tim Burton’s acclaimed series, she was already a seasoned actor. Her journey in the entertainment industry began at a remarkably young age.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Jenna Ortega was born in Rancho Mirage, California, on September 27, 2002. She launched her acting career at the young age of nine, landing her first television roles in 2012. These early appearances included a part in the sitcom ‘Rob’ and an episode of ‘CSI: NY’.
Her debut in film came with a minor role in ‘Iron Man 3’ as the daughter of the vice president. Although her scenes were ultimately cut, few can say their first movie experience was in a Marvel blockbuster.
Breakthrough Role on Disney Channel
Jenna’s significant breakthrough came with Disney Channel’s series ‘Stuck in the Middle’. She portrayed Harley Diaz, a resourceful middle child in a large family, quickly becoming a recognizable face in many households. Simultaneously, she appeared as Young Jane in ‘Jane the Virgin’ and had a role in ‘Richie Rich’, further establishing her presence in the industry.
Transition to Edgier Roles
As Jenna outgrew her child star status, she transitioned to more mature roles, especially in the horror genre. She starred in films such as ‘The Babysitter: Killer Queen’, ‘X’, and contributed to the ‘Scream’ franchise as Tara Carpenter. Her performances earned her the title of Gen Z’s scream queen, culminating in an MTV Movie Award for Best Frightened Performance in ‘Scream’.
Critical Acclaim and ‘Wednesday’
Beyond horror, Jenna received acclaim for her dramatic performances, notably in ‘The Fallout’, where she portrayed a high school shooting survivor. However, her role in ‘Wednesday’ changed everything. In 2022, she took on the titular character, reinventing Wednesday Addams with her unique interpretation. Jenna immersed herself in the role, cutting her hair, dying it black, playing the cello, and studying the character’s movements.
The show’s success shattered streaming records, catapulting Jenna into the spotlight. As a result, she received multiple nominations for prestigious awards, including the Golden Globes and Emmys.
Expanding Horizons Beyond Acting
At just 23 years old, Jenna Ortega has diversified her career. In addition to acting, she stepped into producing, serving as an executive producer on the second season of ‘Wednesday’. Also, she has expressed ambitions to write and direct her projects. Reports from The Hollywood Reporter indicate that Jenna is already working on a script she’s envisioned for over ten years.
From child star to goth queen, Jenna Ortega continues to evolve in her career, positioning herself as a prominent figure in Hollywood.
