Jessica Rothe

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Jessica Rothe
Rothe in 2019
Born
Jessica Ann Rothenberg

(1987-05-28) May 28, 1987 (age 36)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Alma materBoston University
OccupationActress
Years active2010–present
Spouse
Eric Clem
​
(m. 2020)​

Jessica Ann Rothenberg (born May 28, 1987),[1][2] better known as Jessica Rothe (/rɒθ/),[3] is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Tree Gelbman in the comedy slasher film Happy Death Day (2017) and its 2019 sequel, which established her as a scream queen.

Rothe has starred in the musical films La La Land (2016) and Valley Girl (2020), the romantic drama films Forever My Girl (2018) and All My Life (2020), and the action thriller film Boy Kills World (2023). On television, she starred in the MTV comedy series Mary + Jane (2016) and the Amazon Prime Video science fiction drama series Utopia (2020).

Early life[edit]

Rothe was born in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Susan and Steve Rothenberg.[4] Rothe's father is Jewish.[5][6] Her paternal grandmother Colleen Rothenberg was a theatre actress who belonged to the Congregation Shomrei Torah synagogue in Santa Rosa, California.[7]

Rothe took ballet classes when she was age 8.[8] As a youth, she attended summer theater camps in Kansas City.[9] Rothe attended Cherry Creek High School[10] and then Boston University, graduating in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts,[9] and during that time she learned to play the violin, tap dance, and make pottery.

Career[edit]

2010–2016: Early work and stage[edit]

Rothe began acting under her birth name Jessica Rothenberg, and from 2010 to 2013, made minor appearances in shows such as The Onion News Network and played supporting roles in independent films such as The Hot Flashes and Jack, Jules, Esther and Me, among others.[11][12] She also made her stage debut in 2011, starring in the David West Read play The Dream of the Burning Boy.[13][14] Charles Isherwood of The New York Times wrote that Rothe gave an "impressive" performance.[15] She and the cast of the 2014 series Next Time on Lonny earned a Streamy Award nomination.[16]

In 2015, Rothe had leading roles in the comedy film Lily & Kat, the Netflix science fiction pilot Parallels, and the crime drama film The Preppie Connection.[17][18][19] That same year, she was cast as Alexis in Damien Chazelle's musical film La La Land.[20][21] Rothe was drawn to the role since as a child, "I just thought that living in a world where any moment someone could burst into song and dance would be the dreamiest thing in the world".[20] Released in 2016, the film was a critical and commercial success.[22][23] She and the acting ensemble received a nomination from the Gold Derby Awards.[24]

In 2016, Rothe had her first leading role in a television series, playing Paige in the MTV comedy series Mary + Jane.[25] Described as a "weed-comedy" and produced by Snoop Dogg, the show ran for one season.[26][27] The show earned mixed reviews,[28] though critics praised the acting of Rothe and her co-star Scout Durwood. Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter said that they "have a rapport that feels natural and unforced, even if so much of the rest of the show feels often wildly forced, or at least like its trying too hard."[29]

2017–present: Breakthrough[edit]

In 2017, Rothe starred in the Christopher Landon horror film Happy Death Day—originally titled Half to Death—as Theresa "Tree" Gelbman.[30][31] The character was written with the intention of having more depth than the average slasher character, part of which is reflected through the nickname Tree as "trees need to grow and you see this character go from one person to another".[31][32] Happy Death Day was a significant box office success,[33][34][35] and was called a "starmaking" film for Rothe.[36] Writing for RogerEbert.com, Brian Tallerico said that Rothe was "quite good in a way that makes me eager to see what she does next. Her performance is quite easily the best thing about the movie."[37] Simran Hans of The Guardian described her as "endlessly watchable and witty".[38] Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times called her "unimprovable", "inexhaustable and funny".[39] The character has been called an example of the "final girl" trope, and established Rothe as a scream queen.[40][41][42][43] She was nominated for a Fright Meter Award and a New Mexico Film Critics Circle Award.[44][45]

In 2018, Rothe played Josie in the romance film Forever My Girl, which she accepted based on the themes of strength and female empowerment.[46] Her sole release of that year, the film received negative reviews from critics.

In 2019, Rothe reprised the role of Tree Gelbman in Happy Death Day 2U, a direct sequel to Happy Death Day.[47] The film was conceived by Landon before its predecessor was released,[48] and Rothe was initially hesitant feeling that a sequel could potentially retread the original. However, she was convinced by Landon's pitch and believed it "elevates the movie from being a horror movie into a Back to the Future type of genre film where the sequel joins us right from where we left off, it explains a lot of things in the first one that didn't get explained, and it elevates everything."[46] It was released to similar critical and financial success,[49][50] and Rothe earned a second Fright Meter Award nomination.[51]

In 2020, Rothe had starring roles in two films: the jukebox musical Valley Girl, a remake of the 1983 film of the same name, and the romantic drama All My Life.[52][53] Valley Girl sees Rothe play Julie, who was played by Deborah Foreman in the original film.[54] In All My Life, she plays Jennifer "Jenn" Carter. Both films garnered a mixed reception from critics, though Rothe's performances earned some praise.[55][56] Also in 2020, she appeared in four episodes of the Amazon Prime Video series Utopia.[57] Rothe said that "working with Gillian Flynn and the incredible cast in Chicago was a dream job, and I’m so excited for audiences to go through that emotional rollercoaster. It’s unique, fun and tragic all at the same time."[58]

In 2021, Rothe starred in the crime drama film Body Brokers.[59][60] In 2022, she replaced actress Samara Weaving in the action film Boy Kills World.[61] The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, and will be released theatrically in April 2024.[62][63]

Personal life[edit]

On February 14, 2019, Rothe announced that she was engaged to actor Eric Clem.[64] They married on September 12, 2020, in Morrison, Colorado.[65]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Promised Land Maya Short film[a]
The Last Keepers Jessica [a]
The Hot Flashes Millie Rash [a]
Bastards of Young Samantha the Devil [a]
Jack, Jules, Esther and Me Jules [a]
2014 Dissocia Short film
2015 Lily & Kat Lily
Parallels Beatrix Carver
The Preppie Connection Laura
2016 Juveniles Amber
Trust Fund Reese Donahue
Wolves Lola
The Tribe Jenny
Summertime Jules
La La Land Alexis
Better Off Single Mary
2017 Tater Tot & Patton Andie
Happy Death Day Theresa "Tree" Gelbman
Please Stand By Julie
2018 Forever My Girl Josie
2019 Happy Death Day 2U Theresa "Tree" Gelbman
2020 Valley Girl Julie Richman
All My Life Jenn Carter
2021 Body Brokers May
2023 Boy Kills World June 27

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2010 America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back Bojana Mitic Episode: "The Pink Panthers"[a]
2011 The Onion News Network Katie Clements Recurring role; 2 episodes[a]
Happy Endings Teenage Girl Episode: "Baby Steps"[a]
2012 Gossip Girl Young Woman Episode: "The Backup Dan"[a]
2013 Blue Bloods Sylvie Freeland Episode: "Protest Too Much"[a]
Futurestates Maya Episode: "Promised Land"[a]
High Maintenance Rachel Episode: "Elijah"[a]
Next Time on Lonny Stephanie Recurring role; 6 episodes[a]
2016 Chicago P.D. Madison Episode: "If We Were Normal"
Mary + Jane Paige Main role
2019 Whitney Avalon: This Song is Killer Theresa "Tree" Gelbman Web series[66]
2020 Utopia Samantha Recurring role; 4 episodes
Delilah Delilah Main role; unsold HBO Max pilot[67]
2021 Eli Roth's History of Horror Herself Episode: "Holiday Horror"

Theater[edit]

Year Title Role Location Notes
2011 The Dream of the Burning Boy Chelsea Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre [14]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Award Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Fright Meter Awards 2017 Best Actress in a Leading Role Happy Death Day Nominated [44]
2019 Best Actress in a Leading Role Happy Death Day 2U Nominated [51]
Gold Derby Awards 2017 Best Ensemble Cast La La Land Nominated [24]
New Mexico Film Critics Circle Awards 2017 Best Actress Happy Death Day Nominated [45]
Streamy Awards 2014 Best Ensemble Cast Next Time on Lonny Nominated [16]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Dikkers, Jan-Willem. "Jessica Rothe's Biography". Issue Magazine. Archived from the original on February 11, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  2. ^ McCarthy, Lauren (30 October 2017). "Happy Death Day's Jessica Rothe On What It Means To Be A Scream Queen in 2017". W Magazine. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 2018-06-22. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Actress Jessica Rothe's Guide to Clear Skin | Beauty Secrets | Vogue" on YouTube
  4. ^ Kennedy, Lisa (10 July 2013). "Interview: "Hot Flashes' film producer Nina Henderson Moore and actress Jessica Rothenberg celebrate team effort". Denver Post. Digital First Media. Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  5. ^ O'Sullivan, Charlotte (20 October 2017). "Happy Death Day review: Scream queen Jessica Rothe kicks cliché's butt". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Celebrity Jews : Hollywood, Movies and more". Detroit Jewish News. 25 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Coleen ROTHENBERG". Press Democrat. 22 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 28 November 2018 – via Legacy.com.
  8. ^ Shanahan, Christina (1 December 2016). "Meet La La Land Star Jessica Rothe". InStyle.com. Meredith Beauty Group. Archived from the original on 2017-07-14. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  9. ^ a b Nordstrom, Leigh (9 December 2016). "Jessica Rothe Talks 'La La Land' and Empowerment". Women's Wear Daily. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 2017-08-01. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  10. ^ Davidson, Joanne (July 17, 2013). "'The Hot Flashes' Denver film premiere benefits hospital fund". Denver Post. Archived from the original on January 14, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "Davidson: "The Hot Flashes" Denver film premiere benefits hospital fund". The Denver Post. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  12. ^ Indiewire (2013-12-03). "The 10 Indies to Watch on VOD This December: 'Some Velvet Morning, New Joe Swanberg and More". IndieWire. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  13. ^ Stasio, Marilyn (2011-03-24). "The Dream of the Burning Boy". Variety. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  14. ^ a b "The Dream of the Burning Boy: cast announced". New York Theatre Guide. 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  15. ^ Isherwood, Charles (2011-03-24). "Flying Above Emotions, Then Grounded by Trauma". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  16. ^ a b "4th Annual Winners". The Streamy Awards. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  17. ^ "Hannah Murray's Lily & Kat trailer". Digital Spy. 2015-03-31. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  18. ^ "Geekscape Reviews: "Parallels" is a Phenomenal TV Pilot, Frustrating Movie". Geekscape. 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  19. ^ Verongos, Helen T. (2016-03-18). "Review: In 'The Preppie Connection,' Drug Smuggling at an Elite School". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  20. ^ a b Nordstrom, Leigh (2016-12-09). "Jessica Rothe Talks 'La La Land' and Empowerment". WWD. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  21. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2015-07-09). "Sonoya Mizuno, Jessica Rothe & Callie Hernandez Move Into 'La La Land'". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  22. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2017-03-21). "No. 18 'La La Land' Box Office Profits – 2016 Most Valuable Movie Blockbuster Tournament". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  23. ^ Travers, Peter (2016-12-06). "'La La Land': Magical Modern-Day Musical Will Sweep You Off Your Feet". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  24. ^ a b Montgomery, Daniel (2017-02-22). "Gold Derby Film Awards 2017: 'La La Land' sweeps with 9 wins including Best Picture". GoldDerby. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  25. ^ "'Mary + Jane' trailer: Here's your first look at MTV's Snoop Dogg-produced weed comedy". EW.com. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  26. ^ Haithman, Diane (2016-07-31). "'Mary + Jane': Snoop Dogg Introduces MTV Pot Comedy With Video Touting Weed Bonafides – TCA". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  27. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2017-02-09). "MTV's 'Loosely Exactly Nicole' & 'Mary + Jane' Comedy Series Canceled After One Season, What About 'Sweet/Vicious'?". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  28. ^ "MTV's Snoop Dogg–Produced Stoner Sitcom Mary + Jane Is a Reminder to Keep Weed Shows Weird". Vogue. 2016-09-05. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  29. ^ "'Mary + Jane': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 2016-09-02. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  30. ^ McNary, Dave (2016-10-11). "Jessica Rothe Starring in Horror Movie 'Half to Death' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  31. ^ a b Acuna, Kirsten. "How it took nearly 10 years to make the horror movie 'Happy Death Day'". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  32. ^ Acuna, Kirsten. "The director of 'Happy Death Day' answers all the questions you have after watching the movie". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  33. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2017-10-15). "Blumhouse Has Plenty To Smile About As 'Happy Death Day' Scares Up $26M+ Opening – Sunday Final". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  34. ^ "Blumhouse Makes a Wish for Another #1 Opener with 'Happy Death Day'". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  35. ^ Crucchiola, Jordan (2019-02-15). "Jessica Rothe Shares the Original Fate of Tree in Happy Death Day". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  36. ^ "Happy Death Day | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  37. ^ Tallerico, Brian. "Happy Death Day movie review & film summary (2017) | Roger Ebert". Roger Ebert. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  38. ^ "Happy Death Day review – unapologetically derivative | Horror films | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  39. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (2017-10-12). "Review: Dead Again … and Again in 'Happy Death Day'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  40. ^ ""Happy Death Day" Is One Of 2017's Most Feminist Films". W Magazine. 2017-10-30. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  41. ^ Wolff, Natasha (2017-10-13). "Happy Death Day's Jessica Rothe". DuJour. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  42. ^ "Jessica Rothe | How Many Times Do You Think She Could Die?". www.flaunt.com. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  43. ^ O'Sullivan, Charlotte (2017-11-14). "Happy Death Day review: Scream queen Jessica Rothe kicks cliché's butt". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  44. ^ a b "2017 Fright Meter Awards Winners". Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  45. ^ a b "2017 New Mexico Film Critics Awards Winners". 11 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-12-13. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  46. ^ a b Radish, Christina (2018-01-19). "Jessica Rothe on Forever My Girl and a Happy Death Day 2". Collider. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  47. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2018-09-25). "'Happy Death Day 2U': Universal Sets 2019 Sequel Release Date". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  48. ^ Acuna, Kirsten. "'Happy Death Day' isn't out yet, but the director already has an idea for a sequel". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  49. ^ Myers, Kimber (2019-02-12). "Review: 'Happy Death Day 2U' goes back to the future". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  50. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-02-12). "'Alita' & 'Happy Death Day 2U' In A Knife Fight At The Presidents Day Weekend B.O." Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  51. ^ a b "Fright Meter Awards (2019)". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  52. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (2016-11-29). "Jessica Rothe To Star In MGM's Musical Adaptation Of 'Valley Girl'". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  53. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-09-11). "'Happy Death Day' Actress Jessica Rothe Lands Lead In Universal's Romance Drama 'All My Life'". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  54. ^ Maslin, Janet (1983-04-29). "'VALLEY GIRL,' A COAST COMEDY". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  55. ^ "Jessica Rothe on 'All My Life' and Wanting a 'Happy Death Day' and 'Freaky' Crossover". The Hollywood Reporter. 2021-01-06. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  56. ^ "Jessica Rothe And Harry Shum Jr. Deal With Romance And Potential Tragedy In The All My Life Trailer". Empire. 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  57. ^ Petski, Denise (2019-05-03). "'Utopia': Jessica Rothe To Recur In Amazon Series". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  58. ^ "Jessica Rothe on Shocking 'Utopia' Scene and Her 'Happy Death Day' Future". The Hollywood Reporter. 2020-09-30. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  59. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (2019-08-13). "Crime Thriller 'Body Brokers' Adds Jessica Rothe, Owen Campbell, Thomas Dekker and More". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  60. ^ Debruge, Peter (2021-02-20). "'Body Brokers' Review: Drug Abuse Is Big Business for More Than Just the Dealers". Variety. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  61. ^ Kit, Borys (2022-01-11). "Jessica Rothe Replaces Samara Weaving in Action-Thriller 'Boy Kills World'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  62. ^ Complex, Valerie (2023-08-03). "TIFF Unveils Cinematic First Looks With Discovery And Midnight Madness Program; World Premieres Include 'Hell Of A Summer,' 'Gonzo Girl,' 'Widow Clicquot,' And 'Boy Kills World'". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  63. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2024-01-23). "Lionsgate & Roadside Attractions Acquire TIFF Midnight Madness Movie 'Boy Kills World' Starring Bill Skarsgård, Michelle Dockery". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  64. ^ "Happy Death Day 2U Star Jessica Rothe Is Engaged: 'How Did I Get So Lucky'". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  65. ^ "Jessica Rothe on Instagram: "Somehow, against all odds, after five years of long distance, a year and a half of panicked wedding planning and replanning and then…"".
  66. ^ "This Song is Killer (Ft. Jessica Rothe)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2023-09-20. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  67. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2020-01-27). "'Delilah' Comedy Pilot Starring Jessica Rothe Not Going Forward At HBO Max, Shopped By Kapital Entertainment". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2022-10-29. Retrieved 29 October 2022.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Credited as Jessica Rothenberg

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jessica_Rothe&oldid=1218645838"