Kelley Jakle
Kelley Jakle is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She played the role of Jessica Smith in the Pitch Perfect series (2012–2017) and appeared on the first and second seasons of The Sing-Off in 2009 and 2010. She is also a member of an Americana duo band, Robin Alice.[1]
Kelley Jakle | |
|---|---|
| Born | Carmichael, California, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2003–present |
Early life
Jakle was born in Carmichael, California. She was active in music from an early age, performing as part of the Sacramento Children's Chorus, singing The Star-Spangled Banner at sporting events, including a San Francisco 49ers game in 2006, and auditioning for the singing contest American Idol.[2] Jakle began writing music in 2003.
After graduating from Loretto High School, Jakle attended the University of Southern California, where she majored in communications.[2][3] In 2007, Jakle joined the USC a cappella group the SoCal VoCals.[4][5] During her tenure in the SoCal VoCals, the group won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in 2008 and again in 2010.
In 2009, Jakle took part in season one of The Sing-Off, a singing competition televised on NBC, as part of a group called "The SoCals". The SoCals were eliminated in the third episode. In 2010, Jakle again competed on The Sing-Off, this time as part of "The Backbeats". The Backbeats finished the contest in third place.[2][6][7]
Career
While attending USC, Jakle joined the band, By the Way as lead vocalist. The band released a self-titled extended play in 2007. During her junior year, Jakle released a solo extended play, Spare Change, featuring a mix of produced and acoustic tracks.
Upon graduating from USC, Jakle began working as an actress in Los Angeles. Her first film role was as Jessica in the 2012 musical comedy Pitch Perfect, with Jakle being chosen as a "ringer" due to her background in a cappella, at the request of vocal producer Deke Sharon.[6] In 2013, Jakle appeared in 42, a biographical film about baseball player Jackie Robinson co-starring Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey, Jakle's great-grandfather.[8] Jakle reprised her role as Jessica in Pitch Perfect 2 in 2015 and Pitch Perfect 3 in 2017.[9]
In 2013, Jakle released several singles, including a cover of "Ain't It Fun" by Paramore.
On July 29, 2016, Jakle originated the role of Marilyn Monroe in Marilyn! The New Musical at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California.[10]
Personal life
Jakle is the great-granddaughter of Major League Baseball executive Branch Rickey.[8]
Jakle is an ambassador for ReACT, a movement in Montana that encourages teenagers not to smoke.[11]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Pitch Perfect | Jessica Smith | |
| 2013 | 42 | Alice | |
| 2015 | Pitch Perfect 2 | Jessica Smith | |
| 2017 | Pitch Perfect 3 | ||
| 2023 | Parachute | Katie | |
| 2023 | Romance in Hawaii | Leah Davis | |
| TBA | Woman of the Hour | Post-production[12] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Sing-Off | Herself | Recurring role (seasons 1–2), 8 episodes |
| 2012 | Workaholics | Receptionist | Episode: "The Business Trip" |
| 2013 | Adam DeVine's House Party | Cynthia | Episode: "Ex-Girlfriend" |
| 2013 | #TheAssignment | Kelley | 2 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | Scorpion | Janice Keller | Episodes: Pilot, "Love Boat" |
| 2015 | Uncle Grandpa | Additional voices | Episode: "Pizza Steve's Diary" |
| 2015 | Resident Advisors | Female Leslie | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Temporary | Lampshade Girl No. 1 | Episode: "Shady Art Show" |
| 2018 | Christmas Harmony | Harmony | Television film (Lifetime) |
| 2019 | A Merry Holiday | Christy Dickinson | Television film |
| 2019 | Mistletoe and Menorahs | Christy Dickinson | Television film (Lifetime) |
| 2020 | A Very Charming Christmas Town | Laurel | Television film (Lifetime) |
| 2020 | Black Hearted Killer | Vera | Television film (Lifetime) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Climate Change Deniers' Anthem | Singer | Funny or Die website |
| 2017 | "Poker Face" | Singer | Postmodern Jukebox website |
| Year | Title | Role | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "10000 Days" | Best Friend | Andy Allo |
| 2018 | "Give Me Your Hand" | Herself | Shannon K |
| 2020 | "Love On Top" | Jessica Smith | Cast of Pitch Perfect[13] |
Discography
Extended plays
- By the Way (2007)
- Spare Change (2008)
Single
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | "Ain't It Fun (Jakle & Sontag Remix)" | Non album single |
| 2013 | "For Love" | Non album single |
| 2013 | "Free Fallin'" | Non album single |
| 2013 | "When You Say Nothing at All" | Non album single |
| 2014 | "My Best Case" | Non album single |
| 2014 | "Favourite Part of Me" | Non album single |
| 2015 | "Best Goodbye" | Tribute to Abby Wambach |
| 2017 | "Poker Face" | Postmodern Jukebox release, featured artist[14] |
References
- "About — Robin Alice Robin Alice". Archived from the original on April 11, 2019.
- Alcalá, Carlos (December 14, 2009), "Loretto grad's vocal talent lands her in group and on 'Sing-Off'", Sacramento Bee
- Fowler, Clay (April 13, 2013). "Dodgers tip their caps to Jackie Robinson". DailyNews.com. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- "Kelley Jakle". SoCal VoCals. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
- "History 2007–2008". SoCal VoCals. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- "Deke Sharon Makes A Cappella Cool Again". NPR. May 9, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- Lytal, Cristy (December 15, 2010). "USC Vocalists Make the Finals on NBC's Sing-Off". University of Southern California. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- "Actress Kelley Jakle of "42"". The McCarthy Project. March 29, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- "Rebel Wilson Teases 'Pitch Perfect 2' With First Day Rehearsal Pic". MTV.com. MTV. April 23, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
- Hayley Levitt (July 19, 2016). "Marilyn Monroe musical to offer one-night-only world premiere". TheaterMania.com. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- DeMarco, Margaret (December 2, 2016), "Pitch Perfect" actress Kelley Jakle visits Great Falls school, KRTV, retrieved May 15, 2017
- "Tony Hale Joins Anna Kendrick's Directorial Debut Feature 'The Dating Game,' Co-Starring Alongside Daniel Zovatto and Nicolette Robinson". Variety. December 16, 2022.
- Kinane, Ruth (August 17, 2020). "Pitch Perfect's Barden Bellas reunite to sing Beyoncé and raise money for Unicef". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- "Poker Face (feat. Kelley Jakle) – Single – Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox".
External links
- Kelley Jakle on Twitter
- Kelley Jakle at IMDb