Jenna Fischer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jenna Fischer
Fischer in 2008
Born	Regina Marie Fischer (1974-03-07) March 7, 1974 (age 51) Fort Wayne, Indiana, US
Alma mater	Truman State University (BA)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1998–present
Spouse(s)	James Gunn ​ ​ (m. 2000; div. 2008)​ Lee Kirk ​ (m. 2010)​
Children	2

Jenna Fischer (born Regina Marie Fischer on March 7, 1974) is an American actress. She is most famous for playing Pam Beesly on the NBC comedy show The Office from 2005 to 2013. Her role as Pam earned her a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2007. She also worked as a producer for the show's final season.

Fischer has starred in many other TV shows and movies. She appeared in the comedy-drama You, Me and the Apocalypse and the sitcom Splitting Up Together. Some of her movies include Blades of Glory (2007), Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007), Hall Pass (2011), and Mean Girls (2024).

Today, Fischer co-hosts a popular podcast called Office Ladies with her friend and The Office co-star, Angela Kinsey. She also wrote a book called The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide, which was released in 2017.

Early Life and Education

Jenna Fischer was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but she grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. Her mother, Anne, was a history teacher, and her father, James, was an engineer. She has a younger sister named Emily, who is a teacher.

Fischer started acting when she was only six years old. She joined an acting workshop that her mother taught. A boy named Sean Gunn, who also became an actor, was in the same workshop.

She went to a private all-girls Catholic high school. Later, she attended Truman State University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater.

Acting Career

Starting Out

After college, Fischer moved to Los Angeles in 1998 to become an actress. At first, it was hard for her to find roles. She had small parts in independent movies and guest roles on TV shows like That '70s Show and Six Feet Under.

Fischer decided to create her own project. She wrote, directed, and starred in a movie called LolliLove. It was a mockumentary, which is a fake documentary. Her then-husband, James Gunn, and some of her friends also starred in it. The movie helped her career and she won an award for her acting.

The Office and Stardom

Fischer with The Office co-star John Krasinski in 2009

In 2005, Fischer got the role of Pam Beesly in The Office. The show was a huge hit. Before becoming a famous actress, Fischer had worked as a receptionist, just like her character Pam. This helped her feel connected to the role.

She told a reporter, "I'm so attached to Pam's journey. I just love playing this character so, so much." For her work on the show, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2007. The cast of The Office also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for their work together.

While on The Office, Fischer also acted in several movies. She appeared in comedies like Blades of Glory with Will Ferrell and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story with John C. Reilly.

Life After The Office

After The Office ended in 2013, Fischer continued to act. She starred in plays and appeared in other TV shows like You, Me and the Apocalypse and Splitting Up Together.

In 2018, she had a funny moment on the talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The zipper on her dress broke right before she was supposed to go on stage. Instead of panicking, she went out wearing a towel and carried her dress. She told the audience, "I'm mentally freaking out... but I'm physically very comfortable."

Office Ladies Podcast

In 2019, Fischer and her best friend Angela Kinsey (who played Angela Martin on The Office) started a podcast called Office Ladies. In each episode, they rewatch an episode of The Office and share behind-the-scenes stories. The podcast became very popular and has won awards.

In 2022, Fischer and Kinsey published a book together called "The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There." The book is filled with stories and photos from their time on the show and their friendship.

Personal Life

Fischer in 2008

When Fischer first moved to Los Angeles, her childhood friend Sean Gunn introduced her to his brother, filmmaker James Gunn. Fischer and James Gunn were married from 2000 to 2008. They have remained friends.

In 2010, Fischer married filmmaker Lee Kirk. They met while working on the movie The Giant Mechanical Man, which Kirk wrote and directed. They have two children, a son born in 2011 and a daughter born in 2014.

Fischer loves animals and works with rescue groups in Los Angeles called Kitten Rescue and Rescue Rover. She often fosters cats in her home.

In 2024, Fischer shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer the year before. She received treatment and is now cancer-free. She said her friend and podcast co-host, Angela Kinsey, was a great support to her during that time.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Jenna Fischer para niños