Jenna Elfman

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Jenna Elfman

Jenna Elfman, October 2009
Born Jennifer Mary Butala
September 30, 1971 (1971-09-30) (age 40)
Los Angeles, California
Occupation Actress/producer
Years active 1990–present
Spouse Bodhi Elfman (m. 1995) «start: (1995)»"Marriage: Bodhi Elfman to Jenna Elfman" Location: (linkback://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenna_Elfman) 2 children
Website
http://www.jennaelfman.com/

Jennifer Mary "Jenna" Elfman (born September 30, 1971) is an American television and film actress. She is known for her role as Dharma on the ABC sitcom Dharma & Greg and as Billie on the short-lived CBS sitcom Accidentally on Purpose.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Elfman was born Jennifer Mary Butala in Los Angeles, the daughter of Sue (née Grace), a homemaker, and Richard Wayne Butala, a Hughes Aircraft executive.[1] She is of Croatian ancestry on her father's side[2] and was raised Roman Catholic.[3]

[edit] Career

Elfman appeared as a dancer in the music video for "Halo", a song by Depeche Mode that was included on the band's 1990 video album Strange Too. She also appeared in the video for Chris Isaak's 1995 single "Somebody's Crying".

The short-lived 1996 sitcom Townies didn't catch on with viewers but did impress critics, particularly the performances of Elfman and co-star Lauren Graham. The next year, Elfman started a five-year run as Dharma in Dharma and Greg. Elfman guest starred in two episodes of Two and a Half Men in 2004 and 2011 and one episode of Brothers and Sisters in 2007. She made a guest appearance in the sixth episode of season four of My Name Is Earl as a cheer team leader.[4]

Elfman starred in the CBS comedy Accidentally on Purpose.[5] The show was canceled after a single (2009–2010) season.[6]

She appeared in a supporting role in a feature film, Friends with Benefits,[7] starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, released in 2011. Also in 2011, she returned to Two and a Half Men in Season 9 as a guest star, this time reprising her "Dharma" character together with former co-star Thomas Gibson ("Greg").

[edit] Personal life

Elfman met her husband, actor Bodhi Elfman, at a Sprite commercial audition in February 1991. They married on February 18, 1995, making director Richard Elfman her father-in-law and noted composer Danny Elfman her uncle-in-law.

On July 23, 2007, Elfman and her husband's first child, a son, Story Elias, was born in Los Angeles.[8] On September 16, 2009, when Elfman announced she was expecting her second child, she suggested that the pregnancy would help with her role in Accidentally on Purpose.[9] On March 2, 2010, their son Easton Quinn Monroe was born.[10]

Elfman visited her high school alma mater, the Los Angeles High School for the Arts (LACHSA) in May 2006 to urge students to set career goals and encourage them to persist in their chosen professions.[11]

[edit] Scientology

In 2005 she appeared at the Scientology-owned Citizens Commission on Human Rights' Psychiatry: An Industry of Death[12] museum grand opening and she and husband Bodhi are listed on the organization's website as members of the board of advisors from the arts, entertainment and media community.[13]

On May 24, 2006, she was the keynote speaker at the Human Rights Hero Award event in participation with the Scientology-affiliated groups Youth for Human Rights International and Artists for Human Rights (AFHR), an organization formed with the purpose of bringing artists together with the common cause of raising awareness of human rights around the world. The event took place in Washington, D.C., and was attended by members of Congress and the general public. Awards were presented to individuals who through their actions have brought about greater human rights.[14]

On March 27, 2008, she and Charlie Sheen co-hosted the Scientology-affiliated New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project Charity Event at Geisha House in Hollywood, California.[15]

[edit] Philanthropy

In February 2006, Elfman donated an hour of her time to be auctioned to the highest bidder on eBay as part of the "Lunch With A Leader" fundraiser, the proceeds of which benefit the work of Communities In Schools.[16] She participated in the auction in both 2007[17] and 2008[18] as well.

Elfman donated her lip print for a limited edition U.S. postage stamp created by Zazzle to celebrate Valentine's Day in both 2007[19] and 2008.[20] Proceeds for the "Kiss Stamps" went to support the programs of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). In February 2011, Jenna filmed a PSA for The Humane Society of the United States to inspire people to donate to help animals.[21]

As a criminal rehabilitation activist, Elfman has traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby for criminal reform. On April 5, 2007, she was presented with the Goodwill Ambassador Award for her work in human rights and criminal rehabilitation at the Women Ambassadors Foundation 12th Annual Conference.[22] On April 9, 2008, she was a guest [23] at the signing of a new bill by U.S. President George W. Bush that aimed to reduce prisoner recidivism, entitled the Second Chance Act of 2007 (H.R. 1593).[24]

In September 2008, Elfman joined the Charity Water month-long "September Campaign," asking for donations in lieu of birthday gifts in order to raise money to build freshwater wells in Ethiopia.[25]

On March 2, 2011, Elfman participated in the National Education Association (NEA) Read Across America program by reading to school children in Compton, California in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday.[26]

[edit] Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1997 Grosse Pointe Blank Tanya
1998 Dr. Dolittle Owl Voice
1998 Can't Hardly Wait The Angel Uncredited
1998 Krippendorf's Tribe Prof. Veronica Micelli
1999 EDtv Shari
1999 Venus Venus
2000 Tangerine Bear, TheThe Tangerine Bear Lorelei Voice
2000 Cyberworld Phig Voice
2000 Keeping the Faith Anna Riley
2001 Town & Country Auburn
2003 Looney Tunes: Back in Action Kate
2004 Clifford's Really Big Movie Dorothy Voice
2005 Touched Angela Martin Executive producer
2005 What's Hip, Doc? Supermodel Voice
2008 Struck Pregnant date Short film
2009 Six Wives of Henry Lefay, TheThe Six Wives of Henry Lefay Ophelia
2009 Love Hurts Darlene
2011 Friends with Benefits Annie
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1992 Murder, She Wrote Ballet Dancer in background 1 episode
1994 George Carlin Show, TheThe George Carlin Show Psychedelic girl 1 episode
1995 Monroes, TheThe Monroes Lily 1 episode
1995 Roseanne Garland 1 episode
1996 Townies Shannon Canotis 15 episodes, 5 unaired
1996 Murder One Angela Scalese 1 episode
1996 Almost Perfect Becky Toll 1 episode
1997 Single Guy, TheThe Single Guy Jordan 1 episode
1997–2002 Dharma & Greg Dharma Finklestein Montgomery 119 episodes
2002 Obsessed Ellena Roberts Television movie
2004 Two and a Half Men Frankie 2 episodes
2006 Courting Alex Alex Rose 13 episodes, producer
2007 Brothers & Sisters Lizzie Jones-Baker 1 episode
2008 My Name Is Earl Kimmi Himmler 1 episode
2009–10 Accidentally on Purpose Billie 18 episodes
2011 Two and a Half Men Dharma Montgomery Episode: "Nice to Meet You, Walden Schmidt"
2012 Damages TBA Recurring role[27]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Jenna Elfman Biography (1971–2010)
  2. ^ Elfman, Jenna. (November 21, 2003). "Elfman happily shows her 'Looney' side", Interviewed by Angela Dawson, Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved on April 23, 2010. Jenna Elfman says of her maiden name (Butala) origin, "It's Croatian. My great-grandparents are from Croatia. My dad visited Croatia and I'd love to go too someday. He met some relatives who have survived some really incredible, traumatic experiences. He was just so blown away by their stamina – their spiritual stamina – to keep going and to survive and create that life no matter what ... It's really commendable."
  3. ^ "Jenna Elfman". Yahoo! Movies. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018910/bio. Retrieved May 15, 2010. "Elfman was raised in a Roman Catholic home." 
  4. ^ "Exclusive! Jenna Elfman Hooks Up With Earl". E! Online – Watch with Kristin. June 5, 2008. http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=a73fd9da-b7da-41df-bb71-60aeb2d952c0. Retrieved June 5, 2008. 
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "Jenna Elfman, Amy Smart on pilot duty." Hollywood Reporter. February 19, 2009.
  6. ^ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=8107
  7. ^ Friends With Benefits at the Internet Movie Database
  8. ^ Chiu, Alexis (July 30, 2007). "Jenna Elfman Welcomes a Baby Boy". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20048814,00.html. Retrieved September 16, 2009. 
  9. ^ "Jenna Elfman Expecting Second Baby!". US. September 16, 2009. http://www.usmagazine.com/momsbabies/news/jenna-elfman-expecting-second-baby-2009169. Retrieved September 16, 2009. 
  10. ^ "Jenna Elfman Welcomes Second Son". People Magazine. March 5, 2010. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20346448,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines. Retrieved March 7, 2010. 
  11. ^ "Jenna Revisits Her High School". Edie Films Inc.. May 22, 2006. http://www.jennaelfman.com/club/events_calendar.php. Retrieved March 18, 2007. 
  12. ^ "New L.A. Museum Targets Psychiatry as an "Industry of Death"". CCHR International. December 17, 2005. http://www.cchr.com/index.cfm/12434. Retrieved March 18, 2007. 
  13. ^ "CCHR Board of Advisors". CCHR International. April 10, 2009. http://www.cchr.org/#/faq/board-of-advisors. Retrieved April 10, 2009. 
  14. ^ The Human Rights Hero Awards 2006 – Washington, D.C.
  15. ^ Jenna hosts NY Rescue Workers Detoxification Project Charity Event. March 27, 2008.
  16. ^ Grammy Award-Winning Singers Alicia Keys and Patti LaBelle, Actress Jenna Elfman Top the List of Entertainers to Participate in Online Celebrity Auction
  17. ^ date=2007-02-06 Your Chance to have lunch with Jenna in person!
  18. ^ Communities in Schools Lunch With a Leader – Jenna Elfman
  19. ^ Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel and Other Celebs Offer Kiss Stamps for Charity – January 28, 2007
  20. ^ "Seal It With a Kiss This Valentine's Day Using Zazzle Custom Stamps". Reuters. January 14, 2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS108586+14-Jan-2008+PRN20080114. 
  21. ^ "Jenna in a new Public Service Announcement for the Humane Society". Edie Films Inc.. February 11, 2011. http://www.jennaelfman.com/club/events_calendar.php. 
  22. ^ Women Ambassadors at Howard
  23. ^ Bush signs prisoners' Second Chance act
  24. ^ President Bush Signs H.R. 1593, the Second Chance Act of 2007
  25. ^ Charity Water September Campaign – Jenna Elfman
  26. ^ "Jenna celebrates Dr. Seuss' Birthday and Read Across America Week". Edie Films Inc.. March 29, 2011. http://www.jennaelfman.com/club/events_calendar.php. 
  27. ^ http://www.tvline.com/2011/10/damages-jenna-elfman-season-5/

[edit] External links

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