Jo Ellen Pellman | |
---|---|
Born | Ohio, U.S. |
Education | University of Michigan (BFA) |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2019–present |
Known for | The Prom |
Website | joellenpellman |
Jo Ellen Pellman (born October 29, 1995) [1] is an American actress best known for her leading role as Emma Nolan in the 2020 Netflix musical film The Prom .
Jo Ellen Pellman was born in Ohio [2] and grew up in Cincinnati. [3] She was raised by a single mother. [4] Growing up, she was in her school's choir, studied tap and ballet, and went to theater camp. [5]
Pellman graduated in 2018 from the University of Michigan with a BFA in musical theatre and a minor in creative writing. [6] While training, she played roles in Me and My Girl , The Drowsy Chaperone and Grand Concourse. [7] She has also studied Shakespeare at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
In 2018, Pellman played bit parts on Comedy Central's Alternatino , HBO's The Deuce , and episode 5 of season 3 of Amazon Prime's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel . [6]
Ryan Murphy cast Pellman as the protagonist of The Prom named Emma Nolan, after a nationwide search, in her film debut opposite of Ariana DeBose. [2] Murphy said, "She spoke very movingly about being a queer woman and having a gay single mom who raised her. I remember she walked out and I was just like, 'Thank God, that's over — we've found our girl.'" [8] It was her first film. [6]
In December 2020, Pellman and DeBose launched the Unruly Hearts Initiative. The initiative was created to help young people connect with organisations and charities that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. [9]
Pellman identifies as queer, [6] [8] and came out to her mother, who herself identifies as gay, in her final year of high school. [4] [8] She got engaged to filmmaker Brydie O'Connor on November 23, 2023. [10]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Alternatino with Arturo Castro | Episode: "La Pulga" | |
The University | Mary Brandt | Episode: "Silences" | |
The Deuce | Bree | Episode: "This Trust Thing" | |
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | Girl #2 | Episode: "It's Comedy or Cabbage" | |
2022-2023 | 1923 | Jennifer | 3 episodes |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | The Prom | Emma Nolan | Film debut |
2023 | Tripped Up | Ashley | |
Year | Association | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Hollywood Critics Association | Star on the Rise | The Prom | Won | [11] |
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