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Jenna Ortega is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. While she's long been a promising actress, her turn as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series "Wednesday" launched her career to new heights, earning her nominations at some of the major awards in the industry and a notoriety that took the world by surprise.
© Getty Images for The Met Museum/Jenna Marie Ortega was born on September 27th, 2002, in California. She's of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, something that has been an important mark in her career and identity. She's the fourth of six siblings, and has been acting since she was a little girl, begging her mother to support her throughout the challenging processes of auditions and grueling schedules. Her mother complied, recording Jenna's work and sharing the videos online, facilitating the next steps in her career, including her discovery by a casting agent, her acquisition of a manager, and her move to Los Angeles.
Ortega had her TV debut when she was 9 years old, in the series "Rob." That soon opened the door to other shows and performances, including "CSI:NY," "Rake and Richie Rich," and "Jane the Virgin," where she played the role of a young Jane Villanueva.
She then got her first leading role in the Disney Channel series "Stuck in the Middle," playing Harley Diaz. The role played a pivotal part in Ortega's career, establishing her as one of the most exciting young actors and facilitating later appearances on series like "You" and films like "The Babysitter: Killer Queen." One of her best performances took place in 2021, right before her Netflix star-making turn, in the film "The Fallout," exploring the effects of a high school shooting.
© Getty Images“For young girls to be able to see somebody who looks like them, or understands them, or has a similar connection. I can only hope that that’s what I could be for other people."
Ortega then got cast in "Scream," beginning her reign as a scream queen, which she continued in films like "X," and "Scream VI." In 2022, she was cast as Wednesday Addams in "Wednesday," launching her to global fame and introducing her to Tim Burton, with whom she's developed a great creative partnership. Since making the show, the two worked together in "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice," the sequel to one of Burton's most beloved films.
Ortega's role in "Wednesday" made her a TikTok icon, with her dance set to "Goo Goo Much" being replicated by millions of users all over the world.
Her performance gave her the recognition of her peers, drawing nominations from some of the most important awards shows in entertainment. These achievements included becoming the youngest Latina to be nominated as Best Lead Actress in a comedy series at the Emmys. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an MTV Movie & TV Award.
The second season of "Wednesday" came out this summer, split into two parts. It's been one of the most discussed series of the year, with long-term fans returning and newcomers tuning in to catch up with more of Wednesday's adventures.
© Netflix“I’m doing a show I’m going to be doing for years where I play a schoolgirl. But I’m also a young woman.”
In recent years, Ortega has developed a friendship with Hollywood legend Winona Ryder, playing her daughter in "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," with the two sharing how connected they felt when they first met. In 2025, her work continues, starring in the film "Hurry Up Tomorrow" alongside The Weeknd.
At only 22 years old, Ortega is one of the most influential and versatile actresses of her generation, distinguished by her wisdom, talent, charisma, and commitment to diversity and representation.
