Jaina Lee Ortiz Explained

Jaina Lee Ortiz
Birthname:Jessica Ortiz
Birth Date:1986 11, mf=yes
Birth Place:California, U.S.
Occupation:Actress, dancer
Years Active:2004–present

Jaina Lee Ortiz (born Jessica Ortiz; November 20, 1986) is an American actress and dancer. She is known for her starring role as Detective Annalise Villa on the Fox police drama Rosewood from 2015 to 2017. From 2018 to 2024, starred as lead in the ABC drama series Station 19.

Early life

Ortiz was born November 20, 1986[1] [2] in California and raised in The Bronx, New York.[3] Ortiz's father, Joe Ortiz, is Puerto Rican and a retired NYPD first grade detective. She began her dance training at the age of nine by taking salsa/mambo classes; and, at the age of 15, she began teaching. By the next year, Ortiz was traveling internationally as a professional instructor and performer.[4]

Ortiz started acting by appearing in student films. She studied for two years at Maggie Flanigan Studios, where she learned the Meisner technique.

Career

In 2009, Ortiz auditioned and was cast on the second season of VH1's reality show Scream Queens,[5] where she and nine other aspiring actresses competed in challenges based on acting for the opportunity to win the prize of a role in Saw 3D. The show premiered on August 2, 2010 and on the season finale, Ortiz was named first runner-up.[6]

In 2012, Ortiz was in a photo used in the Modern Family episode Yard Sale where she was beauty pageant contestant Miss Galapa.[7]

In 2013, Ortiz landed the role as a series regular in The After, produced by The X-Files creator, Chris Carter.[8] The pilot, which began airing via Amazon Video in February 2014,[9] received positive feedback and was ordered to series.[10] [11] However, on January 5, 2015, Amazon Studios canceled the show.[12] [13] Two months later, Ortiz was cast as the female lead in Rosewood on Fox. Rosewood ran for two seasons.[14] [15] In 2017, she had a recurring role during the second season of USA Network drama series, Shooter.[16] Ortiz appeared in the comedy film Girls Trip, playing herself.

In 2017, Ortiz was cast in a leading role on the spin-off to ABC's longest-running drama series Grey's Anatomy, titled Station 19.[17] [18] [19] In 2023, Ortiz starred in the thriller film Righteous Thieves[20] and in the historical drama film The Long Game.[21] [22]

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
2004Sad Spanish SongSpanish Rice
2008High VoltageDancerShort film
2012MisfireI.C.
2013Laid OutDanielaShort film
2017Girls TripHerself
2023Righteous ThievesLucille
The Long GameLucy Pena
TBAThe VortexGinnyPost-production

Television

YearTitleRole Notes
2010Scream QueensHerselfContestant, credited as Jessica Ortiz (8 episodes)
2012The ShopPetrona6 episodes
Modern FamilyPageant Contestant1 episode
2014The AfterOfficer Marly MuñozPilot
2015–2017RosewoodDetective Annalise VillaMain role, 44 episodes
Nominated — Imagen Award for Best Actress – Television
2017ShooterAngela TioRecurring role, 4 episodes
2018–2022Grey's AnatomyCaptain Andrea "Andy" HerreraRecurring role, 4 episodes
2018–2024Station 19Series regular (Lead role), 105 episodes

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jaina Lee Ortiz on Instagram: 'Thank u tt for the cutest Birthday dressing room door decoration. '. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/jainaleeortiz/1386715062257227933 . December 25, 2021 . registration. Instagram. February 12, 2018.
  2. Web site: Tears of happiness. Blessed to live another year, celebrating a new chapter with people I adore.... https://www.instagram.com/p/BNDhjkmhrLS/. Jaina Lee. Ortiz. Twitter. February 12, 2018.
  3. Web site: Jessica Ortiz NALIPster competing on vh1's "Scream Queens 2". The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP). June 27, 2015. July 15, 2010. June 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160612105255/http://www.nalip.org/files/past_editions/1326828147.html#Announcements. dead.
  4. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. CAA Signs 'Rosewood' Female Lead Jaina Lee Ortiz. Deadline. June 27, 2015. June 23, 2015.
  5. Web site: Larsen. Peter. Comic-Con: This O.C. 'Scream Queen' has Hollywood dreams. The Orange County Register. June 27, 2015. July 23, 2010.
  6. Web site: Suarez. Jessica. Scream Queens 2 Recap – Finale – The Final Girl. VH1. June 27, 2015. September 28, 2010. June 30, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150630084200/http://blog.vh1.com/2010-09-28/scream-queens-2-recap-finale-the-final-girl/. dead.
  7. Ortiz. Jaina. jainaleeortiz. QC6lbJy1y2. I was so excited to stand next to Sofia Vergara for a still photo.. 26 September 2012 . 23 January 2022.
  8. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Quartet Join Amazon Drama Pilot 'The After'. Deadline. June 27, 2015. October 7, 2013.
  9. Web site: Spangler. Todd. Amazon Studios Launches 10 Pilots, in Hunt for Second Wave of Series. Variety. June 27, 2015. February 6, 2014.
  10. Web site: Wallenstein. Andrew. Amazon to Order Four Series Including Drama From 'X-Files' Creator (Exclusive). Variety. June 27, 2015. March 11, 2014.
  11. Web site: Spangler. Todd. Amazon Greenlights 6 Series, Including Chris Carter's 'The After,' and Renews 'Alpha House'. Variety. June 27, 2015. March 31, 2014.
  12. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Chris Carter Drama Series 'The After' Not Going Forward At Amazon Studios. Deadline. June 27, 2015. January 5, 2015.
  13. Web site: Littleton. Cynthia. Amazon Studios Scraps Series Order for Chris Carter's 'The After' (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. June 27, 2015. January 5, 2015.
  14. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Fox Fall 2015 Schedule: 'Minority Report' On Monday, 'New Girl' Held For Midseason. Deadline. June 27, 2015. May 11, 2015.
  15. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Fox Sets Fall Premiere Dates 'Scream Queens' Gets Two Hour Debut.. Deadline. June 27, 2015. June 25, 2015.
  16. Web site: 'Shooter': Patrick Sabongui, Troy Garity & Jaina Lee Ortiz Set To Recur In Season 2. Denise. Petski. April 27, 2017. February 12, 2018.
  17. Web site: Jaina Lee Ortiz to Star in "Grey's Anatomy" Spinoff Set in Firehouse. July 27, 2017. February 12, 2018.
  18. Web site: Grey's Anatomy Spinoff Casts Rosewood's Jaina Lee Ortiz. Kimberly. Roots. July 26, 2017. February 12, 2018. October 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171016014716/http://tvline.com/2017/07/26/greys-anatomy-spinoff-jaina-lee-ortiz-cast/. dead.
  19. Web site: 'Grey's Anatomy' Spinoff Enlists Jaina Lee Ortiz. . July 26, 2017 . February 12, 2018.
  20. Web site: 'Righteous Thieves' Review: An Unconvincing Crew Targets Nazi Art Thieves in Lowbrow Heist Movie. Dennis. Harvey. March 10, 2023.
  21. Web site: 'Flamin' Hot', 'Mustache', 'The Luckiest Guy In The World' Among SXSW Audience Award Winners. Patrick. Hipes. March 20, 2023.
  22. Web site: 'The Long Game' Review: Mexican Americans' Struggle for Acceptance Unfolds on the Golf Course in a Gently Rousing Family-Friendly Drama. Sheri. Linden. . March 12, 2023.

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