Jo Ellen Pellman

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
Born1994 or 1995 (age 27–28)
Ohio, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Michigan (BFA)
OccupationActress
Years active2019–present
Known forThe Prom
Websitejoellenpellman.com

Early life and education

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.

Career

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]

Personal life

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]

Filmography

Television
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

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2020 The Prom Emma Nolan Film debut

Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
2020 Hollywood Critics Association Star on the Rise The Prom Won [10]

References
  1. Jo Ellen Pellman's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CVnlFbtLHtd/?hl=en
  2. Gonzalez, Alex (December 10, 2020). "Jo Ellen Pellman Loved The Prom On Broadway. Now She's Its Film Lead". MTV News. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  3. Nordstrom, Leigh (December 11, 2020). "Meet Jo Ellen Pellman, the Breakout Cast as Lead Alongside Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman". WWD. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  4. Smith, Josh (December 17, 2020). "The Prom star and GLAMOUR UK's December digital coverstar Jo Ellen Pellman on coming out & being proud". Glamour. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  5. Brody, Caitlin (December 11, 2020). "Getting to Know Jo Ellen Pellman, the Breakout Star of Netflix's The Prom". Glamour. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  6. Fierberg, Ruthie (December 5, 2019). "5 Things You Need to Know About Netflix's The Prom Star Jo Ellen Pellman". Playbill. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  7. Lefkowitz, Andy (November 25, 2019). "Jo Ellen Pellman to Star as Emma in The Prom Film". Broadway.com. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  8. Bahr, Sarah (December 11, 2020). "New Star of 'The Prom' Sees a Chance to Make L.G.B.T.Q. Characters Visible". The New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  9. Meyer, Dan (December 14, 2020). "The Prom Stars Ariana DeBose and Jo Ellen Pellman Launch Unruly Hearts Initiative". Playbill. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  10. Magidson, Joey (December 21, 2020). "The Hollywood Critics Association Releases Their Initial Wave Of Honorary Awards". www.hollywoodnews.com. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
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