Jena Malone is an actress from the United States who has been in films such as ‘Bastard Out of Carolina’ and ‘Sucker Punch.’ She is a musician as well as a photographer. Malone was born in the United States and was motivated to become an actor by her mother, who worked in community theater. She made her TV film debut at the age of twelve in ‘Bastard Out of Carolina,’ in which she played a girl who was physically tortured and molested. Her contribution was recognized, and she was nominated for several honors. Other notable appearances include her appearance in the comedic drama film ‘Stepmom.’ The film was a big success, and Malone received two prizes for it. She also starred in the film ‘American Girl,’ in which she played a suicidal adolescent. Her most recent roles include ‘The Neon Demon,’ a psychological horror flick. The picture was a box office flop. Malone, on the other hand, was recognized for her remarkable performance at the ‘BloodGuts UK Horror Awards.’ She also played a scientist in the critically acclaimed picture ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ Her scenes were cut from the theatrical release but included to the home video version.
Childhood and Adolescence
Jena Malone was born in the United States on November 21, 1984, in Sparks, Nevada, to Deborah Malone and Edward Berge. Her upbringing was unusual, to say the least.
Malone was raised by her mother and her girlfriend, and she spent the majority of her childhood in poverty. Her family not only moved frequently, but they were also homeless at times.
Malone began taking acting classes after being encouraged to pursue a career in acting. She later relocated to Los Angeles to seek a career as an actress. She first made an appearance in a Michael Jackson music video and an episode of the television show ‘Chicago Hope.’
The Career of Jena
Jena Malone made her acting debut in the 1996 television movie ‘Bastard Out of Carolina.’ The film, directed by Anjelica Huston, was well-received and won an Emmy Award. Malone was nominated for a number of prizes for her portrayal of a poor, abused adolescent.
She performed in films like ‘Ellen Foster’ and ‘Contact’ the following year. She also had a significant role in Goldie Hawn’s television film ‘Hope.’ She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for it.
She starred in the comedic drama film ‘Stepmom’ in 1998. The film was directed by Chris Columbus and stars Julia Roberts, a well-known Hollywood actress. The film was a great box office success. Critics had conflicting feelings about it.
In the 2001 American sci-fi movie ‘Donnie Darko,’ she had a pivotal role. Richard Kelly wrote and directed the film, which received critical acclaim but was not an economic success. It was also nominated for a number of accolades. The next year, she co-produced and starred in the film ‘American Girl,’ which she also co-produced.
She appeared in the films ‘The United States of Leland’ (2003), ‘Saved!’ (2004), ‘The Ballad of Jack and Rose’ (2005), and ‘Lying’ during the next few years (2006). In 2006, she made her Broadway debut in a Tony Award-winning production of the play “Doubt.”
She starred in the supernatural horror-thriller ‘The Ruins’ in 2008. The picture, directed by Carter Smith, was a commercial success. It received mixed reviews.
‘The Messenger’ (2009), ‘Sucker Punch’ (2011), ‘In Our Nature’ (2012), ’10 Cent Pistol’ (2014), and ‘Angelica’ (2015) were among the films she appeared in during the next few years (2015).
In 2016, she appeared in the smash superhero picture ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ in a minor part. Only the home video edition featured Malone’s scenes. The film, directed by Zack Synder, was a commercial success. However, it received primarily unfavorable feedback.
In the same year, she appeared in the psychological horror thriller ‘The Neon Demon’ as a supporting character. The film, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, was about a stunning model in Los Angeles whose success causes jealousy among her peers.
The movie was a box office flop that earned mixed reviews. She most recently starred in the 2017 drama film ‘Bottom of the World,’ in which she played the lead.
Jena’s Major Projects
‘Stepmom,’ a 1998 comedic drama film directed by Chris Columbus, is one of Malone’s early efforts. Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Haris, Liam Alken, and Jena Malone starred in the film, which also featured other performers such as Susan Sarandon, Ed Haris, Liam Alken, and Jena Malone.
The picture was a box office hit, grossing more than three times its budget. It received mostly negative feedback. It was converted into a Hindi film called ‘We Are Family’ in 2010.
Richard Kelly wrote and directed ‘Donnie Darko,’ a 2001 American science fiction thriller in which Malone plays the major character. Jake Gyllenhaal, James Duval, Mary McDonnell, and Holmes Osborne also appeared in the picture.
The film was not a commercial success. It did, however, win critical accolades, as well as praise for its soundtrack.
In the 2011 American action fantasy film ‘Sucker Punch,’ she had a pivotal role. The plot is centered around a woman’s attempt to flee a mental institution.
Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jamie Chung co-starred alongside Malone in the film. It was nominated for two Oscars despite receiving terrible reviews.
Jena Malone’s most recent feature is ‘The Neon Demon,’ a psychological horror flick. Nicholas Winding Refn directed the film. Along with Malone, the film featured Elle Fanning, Karl Glusman, Bella Heathcote, and Abbey Lee.
The plot focused on a young woman who relocates to Los Angeles in order to pursue a modeling career. However, her beauty and youth cause jealousy among others in the profession, and things don’t work out.
Achievements & Awards
Jena Malone was nominated for a ‘Young Artist Award’ in 1997 for her performance in the film ‘Bastard Out of Carolina.’
She got the ‘Saturn Award’ in 1998 for her outstanding performance in the film ‘Contact.’ She was nominated for another ‘Young Artist Award’ in the same year for her role in ‘Ellen Foster.’
For her work in ‘Stepmom,’ she received a ‘Youngstar Award’ and a ‘Young Artist Award’ in 1999.
For her work in the film ‘The Book of Stars,’ she won the ‘DVD Exclusive Award’ for Best Supporting Actress in 2001.
In 2004, she was awarded Imagery Honors at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival.
For her parts in ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2’ and ‘The Neon Demon,’ she received the ‘Teen Choice Award’ as well as the ‘BloodGuts UK Horror Award’ in 2016.
Her Personal Experiences
Ethan DeLorenzo, a photographer, is Jena Malone’s fiancé. In May of 2016, the couple had their first child, a son.
Estimated Net worth
Jena Malone has a net worth of $4 million as an actress and musician in the United States. She is best recognized for her roles in the films Ellen Foster, Contact, Stepmom, Donnie Darko, and Saved!, as well as the films Into the Wild, Pride & Prejudice, Sucker Punch, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.