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Jenna Ortega is quickly becoming one of America’s biggest stars, especially since she reintroduced the world to Wednesday Addams in the hit TV show Wednesday. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to create an alluring image, one that suggests that not every female protagonist has to be one-dimensional and pristine. Some may even recall her work as a Disney kid, suggesting that she has been climbing up the ranks from a very young age.
But, most surprisingly, Ortega got her first on-screen role in a lesser-known sitcom called Rob. Although she only appeared in one episode, her high-energy performance set the foundation for a long-running career. Despite her later success, it’s always a surprise that a remarkable actress like Jenna Ortega managed to get her start on such a small sitcom.
Jenna Ortega Made a Small Appearance in Rob Schneider’s Sitcom
After signing with an agent at just 9 years old, Jenna Ortega quickly became a highly sought-after actor. For the first year of her career, she worked exclusively on commercials, including a trio of nationwide McDonald’s campaigns. But everything changed in 2012 when she made her TV debut in a small sitcom called Rob. Created by SNL’s Rob Schneider, the sitcom follows the titular character, who works as a landscape architect and suffers from OCD. Rob recently married into a happy-go-lucky Mexican family who are trying their hardest to welcome the protagonist into their tight family unit. But, since Rob is a tad sardonic, he finds their well-meaning efforts too much to bear.
Jenna Ortega appears in Season 1, Episode 6, «The Baby Bug,» as an unnamed child. In this episode, Rob admits to his in-laws that he doesn’t want kids, but the family is keen to change his mind by introducing him to an adorable baby doll. Ortega appears partway through this episode and demands that Schneider hand over the doll. After trying to refuse multiple times, Ortega’s character lashes out at him, ripping the dismembered doll from his grip. She finishes the job by kicking him in the crotch, suggesting that it’s very unlikely that he will be able to procreate now anyway. Even in just a single scene, Ortega offered all the energy and drama that directors would expect from a budding young actor.
The exterior of Rob’s house is the same as William Shatner’s House on $#*! My Dad Says, which aired its previous season in the same time slot as Rob.
Sadly, Rob didn’t make it past the first season, mostly because it received an abundance of dire reviews. A lot of critics felt that the characters relied too much on stereotypes and lacked a lot of actual Latin representation, especially behind the scenes. Although audiences appreciated Rob Schneider’s no-nonsense humor, it was clear that Rob was just mirroring the success of sitcoms that had already come and gone.
Ortega Later Found Her Feet as a Disney Kid
After leaving Rob behind her, Ortega made guest appearances in a collection of popular TV shows and films. In 2013, Ortega made her film debut in a small role in Iron Man 3. The following year, the actress secured a recurring part in Jane the Virgin, where she played a younger version of the protagonist, Jane Villanueva. Arguably, this was a significant step for Ortega, as it solidified her as a child actor who could easily transition to more adult shows. Declan Gallagher from Entertainment Weekly hit the nail on the head when he commented on Ortega’s role in this series.
She eschews the trappings of a typical child actor. She’s knowing without being cute, her delivery natural and, at times, tossed off in a way that veteran performers struggle to master.
In 2016, Jenna Ortega secured a part in a Disney Channel series in Stuck in the Middle. A story about an aspiring inventor who has to juggle her work alongside life with her seven siblings. Not only did Ortega take to this role very well, but she drew on her own experiences of family life to make her performance seem more realistic. Stuck in the Middle ran for three seasons and quickly amassed a loyal fan base, especially among preteen girls. Ortega was also nominated for a selection of prestigious awards and even won the Imagen Award for Best Young Actor in 2018. Ortega also voiced Princess Isabel in Disney’s animated series Elena and the Secret of Avalor. The actress took on this role the same year she booked Stuck in the Middle, meaning that she had both acting and voice acting experience under her belt at just 13 years old.
As fans are probably aware, being a Disney kid definitely has its merits and drawbacks. Not only does it allow a young actress like Ortega to build up an array of experience, but it could also cause certain actors to be typecast. However, Ortega was quite lucky because she managed to complete a few other jobs whilst also working on Stuck in the Middle. Alongside her role as Princess Isabel, Ortega also featured in an episode of Bizaardvark, which featured a baby-faced Olivia Rodrigo. Fans of a certain demographic will also know that she appeared in the music video for Jacob Sartorius’ «Chapstick,» where she played the girl who kissed the young influencer.
Ortega’s Blend of Work Experience Makes Her a Force to Be Reckoned With
A lot of young actors struggle to adapt to work once the Disney bubble bursts. Although icons like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez managed to find a gap in the market and make keen stars of themselves, a lot of actors struggle to find their niche. But in 2021, she secured the role of Vada Cavell in The Fallout, quickly highlighting her talents as an adult actor. Ortega did very well in this role and was able to drop the constant excitement of her previous role in Stuck in the Middle and really zoomed in on the anxiety surrounding a traumatic school shooting. In 2022, she played Tara Carpenter in the fifth Scream, giving this franchise a new lease on life. Ortega channeled everything that was so terrifying about the original Scream films and adapted them so that they would suit modern audiences. Thus, even though this movie symbolizes a whole new era for the franchise, Ortega’s performance as Carpenter seemed like she had been in the movies for decades.
Of course, it would be wrong to mention Jenna Ortega’s vast portfolio of work without mentioning her role in Wednesday. Tim Burton’s highly-rated Netflix series sees Ortega as the iconic Wednesday Addams, who is keen to solve an elusive murder at her new school. This was arguably the perfect role for Ortega because it allowed her to tap into her past as a young actor, while also showcasing her experience with horror and the Gothic. The actor teamed up with Tim Burton again in 2024 for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Here, Ortega plays Astrid Deetz, the daughter of Lydia.
Jenna Ortega actually learned to play the cello in preparation for her role as Wednesday Addams.
Overall, it’s quite interesting to see how Jenna Ortega’s career has blossomed from her brief appearance on Rob. Despite being in her early 20s, the actress has managed to tap into a wealth of lucrative ventures, all of which have helped to grow her career from strength to strength. She has also managed to present herself as an entirely adult actor, leaving childish roles behind to play more commanding and mature parts. A prime example of this is, of course, Miller’s Girl, where she plays a young woman who develops an intimate and complicated infatuation with her teacher. Fans may know her for her many hats in film and television nowadays, but for some, she will always be remembered for her role in a forgotten sitcom.
