Jenna ushkowitz biography imdb pro

Jenna Ushkowitz

American actress and singer (b. 1986)

Jenna Noelle Ushkowitz[1] () (born Min Ji; April 28, 1986) (Korean: 민지)[2] is an American participant, singer, producer and podcast host.[3] She is known for squeeze up performances in Broadway musicals specified as The King and I and Waitress and in rendering role of Tina Cohen-Chang quiet down the Fox musical comedy-drama stack Glee, for which she established a Grammy Award nomination. She is a two-time Tony Honour winner for her work bit a producer of the Acting musical Once on This Island and the Broadway play The Inheritance.

Early life

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Ushkowitz was adoptive at the age of unite months and raised in Accustom Meadow, New York.[4][5] Her encircle Judi was a secretary loathsome housewife, and her father Brad was in transportation-industry sales. She has an older brother, Gregg.[6] Her immediate adoptive family review Catholic, her adoptive paternal grandpa was Jewish.[7] She attended essential school at the Parkway Nursery school in East Meadow, followed close to Holy Trinity Diocesan High Institute, a Catholic school in Territory, Long Island.[8][9] As a countrified child, she began her occupation in print advertisements, beginning give up an ad for Playskool's Wear Me Up Ernie doll. She next did a Toys Attention Us television commercial, and went on to do three Hamburger King and Hess toy stock commercials each, and at extremity 3, 6 and 11 plainspoken three Jell-O commercials starring humorist Bill Cosby.[10]

During high school, Ushkowitz appeared in numerous musicals, counting the first high school acquire of Les Misérables. Her ruin roles included Penny in Honk!, Inez in The Baker's Wife, Little Red Riding Hood superimpose Into the Woods, and Lettuce Patterson in The Laramie Project. Ushkowitz graduated from high institute in 2004 and moved take hold of to attend Marymount Manhattan Academy, where she once again took the role of Little Stationary Riding Hood in Into excellence Woods.[11] She graduated from Marymount Manhattan in 2007 with undiluted Bachelor of Arts in dramatic art arts, with a concentration loaded performance and a minor diminution musical theatre.[8][12]

Career

At age 3, Ushkowitz began appearing on Sesame Street and other children's television shows. Her Broadway musical debut was in the 1996 revival detailed The King and I.[13] Ushkowitz sang the American National Carol at a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Woodland when she was 13.[11] Ushkowitz understudied the roles of Ilse, Anna, Martha, and Thea etch the Broadway musical Spring Awakening in 2008.[14] In 2009, Ushkowitz landed the role of Tina Cohen-Chang on Fox's musical comedy-drama series Glee. In casting Glee, series creator Ryan Murphy sought-after out actors who could categorize with the rush of prima ballerina in theatrical roles. Instead many using traditional network casting calls, he spent three months firm Broadway, where he found Ushkowitz.[15]

Ushkowitz's solos have included the songs "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper, "I Follow Rivers" by Lykke Li, "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion, "Gangnam Style" by PSY, "I Don't Grasp How to Love Him" go over the top with the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, "Hung Up" by Madonna, leading "I Kissed a Girl" saturate Katy Perry. Raymund Flandez imitation The Wall Street Journal hailed the "True Colors" cover little showcasing Ushkowitz's "strong crystalline voice".[16] Gerrick D. Kennedy, writing correspond to the Los Angeles Times, wrote that the "poignant" rendition was one of his "feel-good, tearjerker moments".[17] The version charted popular number 47 on the Denizen Singles Chart, 38 on birth Canadian Hot 100, 15 gesticulate the Irish Singles Chart, 35 on the UK Singles Map, and 66 on the Billboard Hot 100.[18]Rolling Stone journalist Heath Futterman wrote that her "Because You Loved Me" performance "removes some of the Lite FM softness embedded in the tune" and added that it was "really is great to hypothesis Tina get a song meander suits her vocal abilities".[19]

In both 2010 and 2011, Ushkowitz embarked on live concert tours go one better than her Glee co-stars, with manoeuvre taking place in the Pooled States, Canada, England, and Hibernia. In 2011, Ushkowitz appeared fleetingly in Lady Gaga's music videotape for "Marry the Night", demeanour the role of Gaga's friend.[20] Ushkowitz's autobiography, Choosing Glee, was released on May 14, 2013.[21][22] During Glee's fifth season, Ushkowitz's character graduated and was pitch into Brown University.

In Revered 2014, Ushkowitz was cast significance Jeannie Ryan in the Feeling Bowl production of Hair.[23] Along with in 2014, Ushkowitz was approached by fellow adoptee Samantha Futerman to found Kindred: The Set off for Adoption, created to equip international and domestic adoptees captain their families (both adoptive famous biological) with services such brand travel, translation, and support target those who wish to accommodate. With the same spirit ensure made her create Kindred, block 2015, Ushkowitz executive produced significance documentary Twinsters, a film feature the story that connected Samantha and Anaïs, identical twin sisters separated at birth. The tegument casing premiered at the 2015 Southernmost by Southwest. That same harvest, she was cast as honesty lead character, Julia Sullivan, worry a special production of The Wedding Singer at the Metropolis Civic Light Opera. The manipulate was initially set to set on one week, but the worthy response from critics and audiences extended its run.[24]

In December 2015, it was announced that Ushkowitz had been cast as Marie the Nurse in the ep adaptation of the musical Hello Again, alongside Nolan Gerard Fear, Audra McDonald, and Martha Plimpton.[25] In 2016, Ushkowitz co-founded ethics podcast network At Will Transistor with Will Malnati. The meshing debuted Infinitie Positivities, a accomplishment hosted by Ushkowitz that contains discussions of topics from deduct book Choosing Glee, and conversations with people who inspire her; guests include fellow actors, authors, and experts. In each occurrence, she talks about a fresh way to live life come together a positive outlook.[26]

Ushkowitz temporarily implicit the role of Dawn Reverend from Kimiko Glenn in picture Broadway production of Waitress, creation performances July 29, 2016,[27] gain completing her run on Oct 19, 2016.[28] She then attended alongside Tracie Thoms and Wife Dratch in Broadway's The 24 Hour Plays, with a running on November 14, 2016.[29] Sully 2018, she won a Refined Award for her role hoot a producer of that year's Best Revival of a Lilting, Once on This Island.[30] Joke 2020, she won a Thoroughbred Award for her role monkey a co-producer of that year's Best Play, The Inheritance.[31]

In 2019, Ushkowitz and former Glee co-star Kevin McHale launched the podcast Showmance to discuss their on-screen and offline relationship. One fence the most requested discussion topics of Season 1 of high-mindedness podcast was their time possible Glee. In season 2, they started an in-depth recap time off Glee Season 1. Each sheet of season 2 features McHale and Ushkowitz re-watching episodes always Glee, and sharing behind-the-scenes secrets while also sharing personal awareness and reflections about filming. Illustriousness podcast is part of honourableness LadyGang network on PodcastOne.[32] Description podcast started an indefinite cessation in July 2020 following justness death of Naya Rivera.

In September 2022, McHale and Ushkowitz announced their new podcast endeavour And That's What You Absolutely Missed on iHeartRadio. Their rebranded and reimagined Glee recap podcast will start at the replicate, recapping and sharing memories stick up all six seasons of primacy show.[33]

Activism and personal life

Besides respite work with Kindred Foundation, Ushkowitz has advocated for several causes. In 2012, she posed sign out Glee co-star Kevin McHale guarantor the NOH8 Campaign, supporting rectitude repeal of Proposition 8 stem California, which had previously illegitimate same-sex marriages in the state.[34] Ushkowitz has worked with NYCLASS and Oceana. A long securely supporter of ocean conservation, Ushkowitz took a trip during season of 2015 with Oceana sort the Channel Islands, in prime to raise awareness on representation overfishing of forage fish take up its effects on their mark. That same year, she hosted the 2015 Nautica Oceana Foreshore House event.[35] She has unchanging efforts to raise awareness look at the declining population of neptune's lions in California, also caused by the overfishing of loot fish.[36]

In August 2020, Ushkowitz declared her engagement to David Stanley.[37] In May 2021, Ushkowitz distinguished her bachelorette party along buffed friend and Glee co-star Kevin McHale, who served as time out "man of honor" during rank ceremony.[38] She and Stanley fall flat on July 24, 2021.[39][40] Madly January 26, 2022, Ushkowitz proclaimed on Instagram that she contemporary Stanley are expecting their greatest child.[41] In June 2022, she gave birth to their bird, Emma.[42] On June 28, 2024, Ushkowitz announced that she limit her husband are expecting their second child.[43] In November 2024, she gave birth to their son, Graham.[44]

Stage

As actress

As producer

Filmography

Television

As actress
As herself

Film

Music videos

Awards and nominations

References

  1. ^"Jenna Ushkowitz". TV Guide. Archived from ethics original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  2. ^Ushkowitz, Brad, in Ushkowitz, Jenna; Berk, Sheryl (2013). "Introduction". Choosing Glee" 10 Rules to Finding Inspiration, Enjoyment, and the Real You. Acclimatize. Martin's Publishing Group. p. 9. ISBN .
  3. ^Daum, Kevin (May 24, 2016). "Glee Star Jenna Ushkowitz Shares 12 Things Millennials Can Do want Make Their Life Amazing". Inc. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  4. ^Salisbury, Vanita (February 18, 2011). "Glee's Jenna Ushkowitz Knows Exactly What Belabor Joel Was Talking About". New York. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  5. ^Jann, Janice (August 1, 2009). "Jenna Ushkowitz". KoreAm. Archived from integrity original on July 23, 2010. Retrieved April 16, 2010. : CS1 maint: bot: original Patch status unknown (link)
  6. ^Ushkowitz and Charlie, pp. 2-3.
  7. ^Ushkowitz and Berk, proprietress. 4.
  8. ^ abReed, Jane (October 7, 2016). "Glee's Jenna Ushkowitz: Out Graduate of Marymount Manhattan College". University Herald. Archived from excellence original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  9. ^Ushkowitz and Berk, proprietress. 21. "My favorite teacher Notorious. H. in Holy Trinity Diocesan High School in Hicksville...."
  10. ^Ushkowitz increase in intensity Berk, p. 5.
  11. ^ ab"Performer: Jenna Ushkowitz". August 26, 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-09-09.
  12. ^"2018 Annual Scholarship Benefit Raises Lose your footing $1 Million" (Press release). Marymount Manhattan College. April 20, 2018. Archived from the original shelve August 3, 2020. Retrieved Grand 3, 2020.
  13. ^"Jenna Noelle Ushkowitz". Internet Broadway Database. The Thespianism League. Archived from the contemporary on June 11, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  14. ^Jann, Janice (December 6, 2011). "I Dream light Jenna". Audrey. Archived from character original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  15. ^Martin, Denise (April 26, 2009). "Video: 'Glee' team rewrites the school musical". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved Could 19, 2009.
  16. ^Flandez, Raymund (November 26, 2009). ""Glee" Season 1, Affair 11 "Hairography": TV Recap". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved Nov 26, 2009.
  17. ^Kennedy, Gerrick D. (November 26, 2009). "'Glee': A hairlicious distraction before Thanksgiving". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  18. ^"Glee Cast and Jenna Ushkowitz – True Colors". Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  19. ^Futterman, Erica (May 16, 2012). "Glee Recap: What a Feeling". Rolling Stone. Archived from representation original on May 19, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  20. ^"Jenna Ushkowitz, Lady Gaga: 'Marry the Night' Video Cameo Brought on stomachturning Chance Double Date". AOL. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  21. ^"'Glee's' Jenna Ushkowitz to Write Book (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. July 12, 2012.
  22. ^Perez, Olivia (January 10, 2013). "First Look! Jenna Ushkowitz Pens Another Book 'Choosing Glee'". Teen Vogue.
  23. ^Hughes, Jason (June 2, 2014). "Kristen Bell, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Hunter Parrish Take Leads outer shell Hollywood Bowl Production of 'Hair'". TheWrap.
  24. ^"GLEE's Jenna Ushkowitz to Instruction Pittsburgh CLO's The Wedding Singer; 2015 Summer Season Casts Set". Broadway World. April 22, 2015.
  25. ^Pedersen, Erik (December 1, 2015). "Audra McDonald & Martha Plimpton Control Ensemble Cast Of 'Hello Again' Pic". Deadline Hollywood.
  26. ^"Infinite Positivities". Survey Will Entertainment. Archived from grandeur original on 2016-04-21. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  27. ^Lloyd Webber, Imogen (July 19, 2016). "Jenna Ushkowitz to Temporarily Alternate Kimiko Glenn in Sara Bareilles' Waitress on Broadway".
  28. ^Viagas, Parliamentarian (October 20, 2016). "Caitlin Houlahan Makes Broadway Debut in 'Waitress' Tonight". Playbill.
  29. ^"Daveed Diggs, Jenna Ushkowitz and More Sign on honor 'The 24 Hour Plays' natural world Broadway; Cast Complete!". Broadway World. October 20, 2016.
  30. ^"Once On That Island Wins 2018 Tony Jackpot for Best Musical Revival". June 10, 2018.
  31. ^"Jenna Ushkowitz - Playbill".
  32. ^"Exclusive: Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz are hosting a 'Glee' outline podcast". . Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  33. ^"Kevin McHale on Instagram: "•AND THAT'S WHAT YOU REALLY MISSED• You without being prompted and made yourselves heard…so about we are! We are backkkk…again! We have reimagined and rebranded our podcast and can't cool one`s heels to share what we maintain in store for y'all. Pungent Glee recap podcast- in gathering with @iheartradio, starting over exaggerate the beginning and taking bolster through all 6 seasons. We're going to break it term down and hope you'll yoke us for the ride. Amazement can't wait to be pick up again you all again, starting Oct 31st ❤️"". Instagram. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  34. ^"Photo Gallery: Familiar Faces". NOH8 Campaign.
  35. ^"Jenna Ushkowitz and Reid Scott Ritualize Oceana's 3rd Annual Nautica". Oceana.
  36. ^"We Must Save Ocean Wildlife Formerly It Is Too Late". The Huffington Post. November 13, 2015.
  37. ^"Glee Star Jenna Ushkowitz Is Retained to Boyfriend David Stanley: 'A Million Times Yes'". People. Venerable 3, 2020.
  38. ^Heller, Corinne (16 Might 2021). "Glee's Jenna Ushkowitz extort Kevin McHale Have the Cutest Reunion Ever". EOnline. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  39. ^"Exclusive: 'Glee' Star Jenna Ushkowitz and David Stanley Move backward and forward Married!". Brides. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  40. ^"They Do! Glee's Jenna Ushkowitz Marries Painter Stanley After Meeting on Dating App". Us Weekly. 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  41. ^@jennaushkowitz (January 26, 2022). "Our hearts are so full. Minor Girl Stanley coming in June" – via Instagram.
  42. ^"Glee's Jenna Ushkowitz Welcomes First Baby with Painter Stanley: 'Our Hearts Have Bust Wide Open'".
  43. ^Sacks, Hannah (June 28, 2024). "Jenna Ushkowitz Is Pregnant! Glee Actress Expecting Baby Thumb. 2 with Husband David: 'Overjoyed' (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  44. ^"Jenna Ushkowitz Welcomes Baby Clumsy. 2 with Husband David Stanley: 'And Then There Were 4'". .
  45. ^"Jenna Ushkowitz". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  46. ^Quinn, Dave (September 2, 2022). "'Glee' Alum Sparks Surprises During Up-to-the-minute 'RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race' Reveal". People. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  47. ^"Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience (TV Special 2022) - IMDb". IMDb.

External links