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{{Short description|American actress}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name         = Jenna Elfman
| image        = Jenna Elfman by Gage Skidmore 4.jpg
| caption      = Elfman at the 2023 [[WonderCon]]
| birth_name   = <!-- Valid citation required for full name for BLP. (WP:BLPPRIVACY) --> 
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1971|09|30}}
| birth_place  = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| occupation   = Actress, producer
| years_active = 1990–present
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Bodhi Elfman]]|1995}}
| relatives    = {{ubl|[[Tony Butala]] (paternal uncle)|[[Danny Elfman]] (uncle-in-law)}}
| children     = 2
| website      = {{URL|jennaelfman.com}}
}}

'''Jenna Elfman''' (born September 30, 1971)<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-09-20 |title=Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 26-Oct. 2 |url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-tv-arts-and-entertainment-celebrity-music-bc4900fc5e87a26eb1001c012dc5d1c9 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> is an American actress. She is best known for her leading role as Dharma on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] sitcom ''[[Dharma & Greg]]'' (1997–2002), for which she received the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy]] in 1999, and three nominations for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series]]. After making her film debut in ''[[Grosse Pointe Blank]]'' (1997), she has appeared in ''[[Krippendorf's Tribe]]'' (1998), ''[[Dr. Dolittle (1998 film)|Dr. Dolittle]]'' (1998), ''[[EDtv]]'' (1999), ''[[Keeping the Faith]]'' (2000), ''[[Town & Country (film)|Town & Country]]'' (2001), ''[[Looney Tunes: Back in Action]]'' (2003), ''[[Clifford's Really Big Movie]]'' (2004), and ''[[Big Stone Gap (film)|Big Stone Gap]]'' (2014).

Elfman has also played leading roles on other television comedies, including ''[[Courting Alex]]'' (2006), ''[[Accidentally on Purpose (TV series)|Accidentally on Purpose]]'' (2009–2010), ''[[1600 Penn]]'' (2012–2013), ''[[Growing Up Fisher]]'' (2014), and ''[[Imaginary Mary]]'' (2017). She also had a recurring role on the [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] legal drama ''[[Damages (TV series)|Damages]]'' in 2012, and has been a series regular on the [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] horror drama series ''[[Fear the Walking Dead]]'' since 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fear-walking-dead-recruits-jenna-elfman-as-season-4-regular-1058682 |title='Fear the Walking Dead' Recruits Jenna Elfman as Season 4 Regular |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=November 15, 2017 |access-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref>

==Early life==
Elfman's paternal uncle is [[Tony Butala]], lead singer of the American vocal trio [[The Lettermen]] since 1958. She is of [[Croatian American|Croatian]] ancestry on her father's side<ref>Elfman, Jenna. (November 21, 2003). "Elfman happily shows her 'Looney' side", Interviewed by Angela Dawson, ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''. Retrieved on April 23, 2010. Jenna Elfman says of her maiden name (Butala) origin, "It's Croatian. My great-grandparents are from Croatia. My dad visited Croatia and I'd love to go too someday. He met some relatives who have survived some really incredible, traumatic experiences. He was just so blown away by their stamina – their spiritual stamina – to keep going and to survive and create that life no matter what ... It's really commendable."</ref> and was raised [[Roman Catholic]].<ref name="Associated Press" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018910/bio |title=Jenna Elfman |publisher=[[Yahoo! Movies]] |quote=Elfman was raised in a Roman Catholic home. |access-date=May 15, 2010}}</ref>

Elfman attended high school at [[St. Genevieve High School]] in the San Fernando Valley for a year, before eventually graduating at the [[Los Angeles County High School for the Arts]]; she then attended college at [[California State University, Northridge]] (CSUN).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csun.edu/nso/pdfs/campus_facts.pdf/ |title=Campus Facts: Notable CSUN Alumni |website=csun.edu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714054035/http://www.csun.edu/nso/pdfs/campus_facts.pdf/ |archive-date=July 14, 2010}}</ref> She studied at the Westside School of Ballet, receiving a full scholarship.{{Citation needed |date=September 2024}}

==Career==
===1990—1996: Early works===
[[File:Jenna Elfman 2000.jpg|left|thumb|Elfman in 2000]]Elfman began her professional career as a dancer, appearing in music videos for [[Depeche Mode]] ("Halo", 1990), [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]] ("Black Lodge", 1993), and [[Chris Isaak]] ("[[Somebody's Crying]]", 1995), and touring with the rock band [[ZZ Top]] on their 1994 tour as a "Legs Girl". After appearing in television commercials, Elfman co-starred in the made-for-television movie ''Double Deception'' (1993) and guest-starred on ''[[Roseanne]]'', ''[[NYPD Blue]]'', ''[[Almost Perfect]]'' and ''[[Murder One (TV series)|Murder One]]''. In 1996, she was cast as a lead character alongside [[Molly Ringwald]] and [[Lauren Graham]] in the short-lived [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] sitcom ''[[Townies]]''. The series was cancelled after one season and 15 episodes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/townies-wanna-friends-article-1.732733/|title='TOWNIES' WANNA BE 'FRIENDS'|website=[[New York Daily News]] |date=September 18, 1996}}</ref> The following year, she made her big screen debut appearing in the black comedy film, ''[[Grosse Pointe Blank]]''.

===1997—2002: Breakthrough===
In 1997, Elfman was cast in the ABC comedy series ''[[Dharma & Greg]]'' playing the leading role of Dharma Freedom Finkelstein Montgomery. She received positive reviews from critics for her breakthrough performance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/dharma-and-greg-1200451052/|title=Dharma and Greg|first=Ray|last=Richmond|date=September 22, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/24/arts/television-review-she-s-wild-he-s-square-it-s-made-in-heaven.html|title=TELEVISION REVIEW; She's Wild, He's Square: It's Made in Heaven|first=Caryn|last=James|work=The New York Times |date=September 24, 1997|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-28-tv-36887-story.html|title=The Couple of the Fall Moment|date=September 28, 1997|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> She won the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy]] in 1999 for the show's second season, as well as three [[Primetime Emmy Awards]] nominations for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/jenna-elfman|title=Jenna Elfman|website=Television Academy}}</ref> Elfman also received [[TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy]] nomination in 1998, as well as three [[Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy]] nominations. The show ran for five seasons until its cancellation in 2002.

During her time on ''Dharma & Greg'', Elfman starred in a number of movies. In 1998, she starred alongside [[Richard Dreyfuss]] in the comedy film ''[[Krippendorf's Tribe]]''. The film received generally negative reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/krippendorfs_tribe|title=Krippendorf's Tribe - Rotten Tomatoes|date=February 27, 1998|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> In 1999, she starred opposite [[Matthew McConaughey]] in the satirical comedy film ''[[EDtv]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/edtv-21732/|title=EdTV|first=Rolling|last=Stone|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=December 7, 2000}}</ref> The film received mixed-to-positive reviews, with some criticizing its similarity to ''[[The Truman Show]]'' (1998), but was a box office flop, grossing only $35.2 million compared to its $80 million production budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/edtv|title=EDtv - Rotten Tomatoes|date=March 26, 1999|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> The following year, she starred in the romantic comedy film ''[[Keeping the Faith]]'' opposite [[Ben Stiller]] and [[Edward Norton]] (who also directed).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/14/movies/film-review-religion-and-hormones-surrounded-by-a-triangle.html|title=FILM REVIEW; Religion and Hormones, Surrounded by a Triangle|first=Elvis|last=Mitchell|work=The New York Times |date=April 14, 2000|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2000/04/14/keeping-faith-3/|title=Keeping the Faith|first1=EW Staff Updated|last1=April 14|first2=2000 at 04:00 AM|last2=EDT|website=EW.com}}</ref> The film received generally positive reviews and grossed $60 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/keeping_the_faith|title=Keeping the Faith - Rotten Tomatoes|date=April 14, 2000|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> Elfman received [[Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture|Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]] nomination for her performance. In 2001, she appeared in the romantic comedy film ''[[Town & Country (film)|Town & Country]]'', a $105 million production budget box office bomb. The film was filmed in 1998, and after 12 release date changes, the film finally made it into theaters on April 27, 2001, nearly three years after filming began.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/how-warren-beattys-town-country-became-one-of-the-biggest-flops-ever-092506645.html|title=How Warren Beatty's Town & Country became one of Hollywood's most notorious flops|date=February 15, 2017|website=uk.movies.yahoo.com}}</ref> It received negative reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/town_and_country|title=Town & Country - Rotten Tomatoes|date=April 27, 2001|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> Elfman has also done voice-over work in the animated films ''[[Dr. Dolittle (1998 film)|Dr. Dolittle]]'' (1998) and ''[[CyberWorld]]'' (2000).
[[File: Jenna Elfman (cropped).JPG|right|thumb|Elfman posing during a break from filming ''[[The Six Wives of Henry Lefay]]'' in [[New Milford, Connecticut]] in 2007]]

===2003—present===
After ''Dharma & Greg'', Elfman played against the type role as a psychotic woman in the made-for-television thriller film, ''Obsessed'' (2002). She received positive review from ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' for her performance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-09-15-0209180304-story.html|title=Elfman portrays psychotic woman in 'Obsessed'|date=September 15, 2002|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> In 2003, she starred in the live-action/animated comedy film, ''[[Looney Tunes: Back in Action]]''. The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics and was a box-office bomb, grossing $68.5 million worldwide on an $80 million budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/looney_tunes_back_in_action|title=Looney Tunes: Back in Action - Rotten Tomatoes|date=November 14, 2003|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> In 2005, she starred and produced the romantic drama film, ''Touched''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/touched_2006|title=Touched - Rotten Tomatoes|date=May 22, 2017|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref>

In 2006, Elfman returned to television with the leading role in the CBS sitcom, ''[[Courting Alex]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/elfman-save-alex-not-so-great-article-1.640177/|title=ELFMAN CAN'T SAVE 'ALEX' THE NOT-SO-GREAT|website=[[New York Daily News]] |date=January 23, 2006}}</ref> The series was cancelled after one season. She guest-starred on ''[[Two and a Half Men]]'', ''[[My Name Is Earl]]'' and ''[[Brothers & Sisters (2006 TV series)|Brothers & Sisters]]''. In 2009, she appeared in the comedy films ''[[The Six Wives of Henry Lefay]]'' and ''[[Love Hurts (2009 film)|Love Hurts]]''. In 2011, she played [[Justin Timberlake]]'s character sister in the romantic comedy film, ''[[Friends with Benefits (film)|Friends with Benefits]]''. In 2012, Elfman and her husband Bodhi started their podcast, ''Kicking and Screaming by Jenna and Bodhi Elfman''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.libsyn.com/2013/02/08/rockin-libsyn-podcasts-kicking-and-screaming-by-jenna-and-bodhi-elfman/ |title=Rockin' Libsyn Podcasts: Kicking and Screaming by Jenna and Bodhi Elfman |website=blog.libsyn.com |date=February 8, 2013}}</ref>

Elfman starred in another short-lived CBS sitcom, ''[[Accidentally on Purpose (TV series)|Accidentally on Purpose]]'' during the 2009–10 season. In 2012, she took a recurring role in the FX legal thriller series, ''[[Damages (TV series)|Damages]]''. In 2013, Elfman starred in the [[NBC]] comedy series, ''[[1600 Penn]]'' and later in ''[[Growing Up Fisher]]'', which were each cancelled after a single season.<ref name="Deadline.com NELLIE ANDREEVA">{{cite web |title=2ND UPDATE: '1600 Penn', 'Animal Practice', 'New Normal', 'Revolution' & 'Save Me' Picked Up To Series At NBC |url=https://www.deadline.com/2012/05/save-me-picked-up-to-series-as-nbc-starts-new-series-pickup/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |author=Andreeva, Nellie |date=May 7, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2012}}</ref> She starred in the romantic comedy film, ''[[Big Stone Gap (film)|Big Stone Gap]]'' (2014) opposite [[Ashley Judd]], and appeared in the drama film ''[[Barry (2016 film)|Barry]]'' about [[Barack Obama]]'s life at Columbia University in 1981. In 2017, she starred in another one-season sitcom, ''[[Imaginary Mary]]'' on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. Like ''1600 Penn'' and ''Growing Up Fisher'', the series was cancelled after its first season.<ref name="Imaginary Mary Cancellation">{{cite news |last1=Cruz |first1=Gilbert |date=May 12, 2017 |title=Which Network TV Shows Have Been Canceled? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/12/arts/television/which-network-tv-shows-have-been-canceled.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=May 12, 2017}}</ref>

In 2018, Elfman was cast in the AMC horror drama series, ''[[Fear the Walking Dead]]'' playing the mysterious nurse June "Naomi / Laura" Dorie.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/11/15/fear-the-walking-dead-jenna-elfman/|title='Fear the Walking Dead' casts Jenna Elfman as new series regular|first1=Derek Lawrence|last1=November 15|first2=2017 at 07:41 PM|last2=EST|website=EW.com}}</ref> She made her debut in the [[Fear the Walking Dead (season 4)|fourth season]] and stayed on show to the [[Fear the Walking Dead (season 8)|eighth and final season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://undeadwalking.com/2023/03/10/fear-walking-dead-jenna-elfman-goodbye/|title=Fear the Walking Dead Jenna Elfman says goodbye to June, Laura, Naomi|first=Renee|last=Hansen|date=March 10, 2023}}</ref> In 2020, she starred in an episode of the horror anthology series, ''[[The Twilight Zone (2019 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://undeadwalking.com/2020/07/04/jenna-elfman-twilight-zone-a-human-face/|title=Review: Jenna Elfman in The Twilight Zone 'A Human Face'|first=Sarabeth|last=Pollock|date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Jenna Elfman in Alberta Ferretti 01.jpg|thumb|Elfman at [[The Heart Truth]] in 2012]]
In February 1991, she met actor [[Bodhi Elfman|Bodhi Pine Elfman]] (né Saboff) during an audition for a [[Sprite (soft drink)|Sprite]] commercial.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Jenna Elfman's Winning Formula: Hard Work That's Fun |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |date=November 25, 1997}}</ref> Four years later, they were married on February 18, 1995. Bodhi is of [[Jewish]] descent, and Jenna was raised Catholic.<ref name="Associated Press" /><ref>{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |title=Jenna Elfman Gives Birth to a Son in LA: Jenna Elfman and Husband Welcome First Child, a Son Named Story Elias, Her Publicist Says |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=July 23, 2007 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=3428480 |access-date=2008-02-25}}  {{dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> When they met, he was a practicing [[Scientologist]]. She became a Scientologist as well after her husband introduced her to its teachings.<ref name="roll"/>

===Scientology===
Elfman is a member of the [[Church of Scientology]].<ref name="roll">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/inside-scientology-103288/ |title=Inside Scientology |date=February 8, 2011 |orig-date=February 23, 2006 |first=Janet |last=Reitman |author-link=Janet Reitman |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url-status=<!--archived version is better--> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502021124/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/inside-scientology-20110208 |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |quote=And those celebrities begat others, including Tom Cruise, who was introduced by his then-wife, Rogers, and Jenna Elfman, introduced by her husband, actor Bodhi Elfman.}}</ref> By 2001 she had attained the [[Clear (Scientology)|State of Clear]], and by 2020 she was on the [[Operating Thetan#OTVII|OT VII level]].<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Celebrity |issue=330 |date=2001 |pages=10–13 |title=Interview of the month with actress Jenna Elfman |publisher=[[Celebrity Centre|Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International]]}}</ref><ref name="cm363">{{cite magazine |magazine=Celebrity |issue=363 |date=2020 |pages=8–11 |title=Celebrity Interview : Jenna Elfman |publisher=[[Celebrity Centre|Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International]]}}</ref> Since the early 1990s Elfman had studied acting with prominent acting teacher and long-time Scientologist [[Milton Katselas]], but cut ties with him in 2004 when Katselas had fallen into disfavor with Scientology.<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite web |first=Mark |last=Oppenheimer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/magazine/15Katselas-t.html |title=The Actualizer |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 15, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-14 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104172512/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/magazine/15Katselas-t.html |archive-date=November 4, 2022}} |2={{cite web |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/06/milton_katselas.php |title=Milton Katselas Pleads With Scientology After Grant Cardone's Attack: A Church Jihad? |date=June 24, 2011 |first=Tony |last=Ortega |author-link=Tony Ortega |publisher=The Village Voice |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627141939/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/06/milton_katselas.php |archive-date=June 27, 2011}} }}</ref> In 2001, Elfman opened a [[Church of Scientology#Mission network|Scientology mission]] in San Francisco.<ref name="cm363"/>

In 2005 she appeared at the grand opening of [[Citizens Commission on Human Rights]]' museum, [[Psychiatry: An Industry of Death]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cchr.com/index.cfm/12434 |title=New L.A. Museum Targets Psychiatry as an Industry of Death |work=[[CCHR International]] |date=December 17, 2005 |access-date=March 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212182433/http://www.cchr.com/index.cfm/12434 |archive-date=February 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>  She and husband Bodhi are listed on the CCHR website as members of the board of advisers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cchr.org/about_cchr/cchrs_board_of_advisors.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418060613/http://www.cchr.org/about_cchr/cchrs_board_of_advisors.html |archive-date=April 18, 2009 |title=Citizens Commission on Human Rights Board of Advisors |work=[[CCHR International]] |access-date=April 10, 2009}}</ref>

On May 24, 2006, she was the keynote speaker at the Human Rights Hero Award event in participation with the Scientology-affiliated groups [[Youth for Human Rights International]] and Artists for Human Rights (AFHR), an organization formed with the purpose of bringing artists together with the common cause of raising awareness of human rights around the world.

On March 27, 2008, she and actor [[Charlie Sheen]] co-hosted the Scientology-affiliated [[New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project]] charity event at Geisha House in Hollywood.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jennaelfman.com/club/events_calendar.php |title=Jenna hosts NY Rescue Workers Detoxification Project Charity Event |work=JennaElfman.com |date=March 27, 2008 |access-date=March 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929171618/http://jennaelfman.com/club/events_calendar.php |archive-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref>

===Fundraising activities===
Elfman participated in fundraising activities, including donating an hour of her time for auction,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www5.sys-con.com/read/182104.htm |title=Grammy Award-Winning Singers Alicia Keys and Patti LaBelle, Actress Jenna Elfman Top the List of Entertainers to Participate in Online Celebrity Auction |website=sys-con.com |access-date=January 10, 2013 |archive-date=November 10, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110164313/http://www5.sys-con.com/read/182104.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> donating a print of her lips,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shoppingblog.com/cgi-bin/sblog.pl?sblog=128071 |title=Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel and Other Celebs Offer Kiss Stamps for Charity – January 28, 2007 |website=Shoppingblog.com |date=January 28, 2007 |access-date=January 10, 2013}}</ref> participating in a telethon fundraiser,<ref>{{cite web |title=George Clooney explains 'Hope for Haiti' celebrity phone bank |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/01/george-clooney-explains-hope-for-haiti-celebrity-phone-bank/1 |publisher=[[USA Today]] |first=Ann |last=Oldenburg |date=January 22, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2012}}</ref> hosting a comedy show,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laughspin.com/2012/03/06/jenna-elfman-shines-a-light-on-comedy-charity-laugh-for-sight-interview/ |title=Jenna Elfman Interview |website=Laughspin.com |access-date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101112714/http://www.laughspin.com/2012/03/06/jenna-elfman-shines-a-light-on-comedy-charity-laugh-for-sight-interview/ |archive-date=November 1, 2012}}</ref> and asking for charity donations instead of birthday presents.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jenna Elfman Charity Biography |url=http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1987-jenna-elfman |website=LookToTheStars.org}}</ref>

Elfman participated in awareness-raising initiatives, including modeling for a fashion show,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/red-dress-fashion-show-draws-attention-to-heart-disease/ |title=Red Dress fashion show draws attention to heart disease |website=[[CBS News]] |date=February 8, 2012 |access-date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019232400/https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57373509-10391698/red-dress-catwalk-draws-attention-to-heart-disease/ |archive-date=2013-10-19}}</ref> reading to schoolchildren as part of the [[National Education Association]] Read Across America program, and hosting a party in her home to raise awareness for causes headed by the [[Environmental Working Group]].

Elfman is on the board of directors of the Dizzy Feet Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dizzyfeetfoundation.org/board-members/ |title=Dizzy Feet Foundation Board Members |date=April 17, 2014 |website=DizzyFeetFoundation.org}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class = "unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1997
|''[[Grosse Pointe Blank]]''
|Tanya
|
|-
|rowspan=3|1998
|''[[Dr. Dolittle (1998 film)|Dr. Dolittle]]''
|Owl
|Voice
|-
|''[[Can't Hardly Wait]]''
|The Angel
|Uncredited
|-
|''[[Krippendorf's Tribe]]''
|Prof. Veronica Micelli
|
|-
|rowspan=2|1999
|''[[EDtv]]''
|Shari
|
|-
|''Venus''
|Venus
|
|-
|rowspan=3|2000
|''{{sortname|The|Tangerine Bear}}''
|Lorelei
| rowspan="2" |Voice
|-
|''[[CyberWorld]]''
|Phig
|-
|''[[Keeping the Faith]]''
|Anna Riley
|
|-
|2001
|''[[Town & Country (film)|Town & Country]]''
|Auburn
|
|-
|2003
|''[[Looney Tunes: Back in Action]]''
|Kate Houghton
|
|-
|2004
|''[[Clifford's Really Big Movie]]''
|Dorothy
|Voice
|-
|rowspan=2|2005
|''Touched''
|Angela Martin
|Executive producer
|-
|''What's Hip, Doc?''
|Supermodel
|Voice - uncompleted short
|-
|2008
|''Struck''
|Pregnant date
|Short film
|-
|rowspan=2|2009
|''{{sortname|The|Six Wives of Henry Lefay}}''
|Ophelia
|
|-
|''[[Love Hurts (2009 film)|Love Hurts]]''
|Darlene
|
|-
|2011
|''[[Friends with Benefits (film)|Friends with Benefits]]''
|Annie
|
|-
|2014
|''[[Big Stone Gap (film)|Big Stone Gap]]''
|Miss Iva Lou Wade
|
|-
|2016
|''[[Barry (2016 film)|Barry]]''
|Kathy Baughman
|
|}

===Television===
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class = "unsortable"| Notes
|-
|1992
|''[[Murder, She Wrote]]''
|Ballet Dancer in background
|Uncredited; Episode: "Dance Diabolique" 
|-
|1993
|''Double Deception''
| Lisa Majorski
|Television film
|-
|1994
|''{{sortname|The|George Carlin Show}}''
|Psychedelic girl
|As Jenna Butala; Episode: "George Does A Bad Thing"
|-
| rowspan="2" |1995
|''{{sortname|The|Monroes|dab=1995 TV series}}''
|Lily
|Episode: "Bottoms, Up"
|-
|''[[Roseanne]]''
|Garland
|Episode: "The Getaway, Almost"
|-
| rowspan="5" |1996
|''Her Last Chance''
| Leslie
|Television film
|-
|''[[Townies]]''
|Shannon Canotis
|Main cast; 15 episodes
|-
|''[[Murder One (TV series)|Murder One]]''
|Angela Scalese
|Episode: "Chapter Seventeen"
|-
|''[[Almost Perfect]]''
|Becky Toll
|Episode: "Being Fired Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry"
|-
|''[[NYPD Blue]]''
|Patty Snow
|Episode: "The Nutty Confessor"
|-
|1997
|''{{sortname|The|Single Guy}}''
|Jordan
|Episode: "Just Friends?"
|-
|1997–2002
|''[[Dharma & Greg]]''
|Dharma Freedom Finkelstein Montgomery
|Main cast; 119 episodes
|-
|2002
|''Obsessed''
|Ellena Roberts
|Television film
|-
|2004
|''[[Two and a Half Men (season 1)|Two and a Half Men]]''
|Frankie
|2 episodes
|-
|2006
|''[[Courting Alex]]''
|Alex Rose
|Main cast; 13 episodes
|-
|2007
|''[[Brothers & Sisters (2006 TV series)|Brothers & Sisters]]''
|Lizzie Jones-Baker
|Episode: "Game Night"
|-
|2008
|''[[My Name Is Earl]]''
|Kimmi Himmler
|Episode: "We've Got Spirit"
|-
|2009–2010
|''[[Accidentally on Purpose (TV series)|Accidentally on Purpose]]''
|Billie Chase
|Main cast; 18 episodes
|-
|2011
|''[[Two and a Half Men (season 9)|Two and a Half Men]]''
|Dharma Montgomery
|Episode: "[[Nice to Meet You, Walden Schmidt]]"
|-
| rowspan="2" |2012
|''[[Shameless (American TV series)|Shameless]]''
|Jill
|Episode: "Fiona Interrupted"
|-
|''[[Damages (TV series)|Damages]]''
|Naomi Walling
|7 episodes
|-
|2012–2013
|''[[1600 Penn]]''
|Emily Nash Gilchrist
|Main cast; 13 episodes
|-
|2013
|''[[Royal Pains]]''
|Lacy
|Episode: "Open Invitation"
|-
| rowspan="2" |2014
|''[[Growing Up Fisher]]''
|Joyce Fisher
|Main cast; 13 episodes
|-
|''[[So You Think You Can Dance]]''
|Herself
|Guest judge<ref>{{cite web |url=http://castingmaster.com/so-you-think-you-can-dance-casting-guide/ |title=''So You Think You Can Dance'' - 2014 Casting Guide with Call Dates |website=castingmaster.com |access-date=June 19, 2014}}</ref>
|-
|2015
|''The Perfect Stanleys''
|Ellen
|Television film
|-
|2017
|''[[Imaginary Mary]]''
|Alice
|Main cast; 9 episodes
|-
|2018–2023
|''[[Fear the Walking Dead]]''
|June "Naomi / Laura" Dorie
|Main cast; 39 episodes
|-
|2018–2021
|''[[Talking Dead]]''
|Herself
|6 episodes
|-
| 2020
| ''[[The Twilight Zone (2019 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]''
| Barbara
| Episode: "A Human Face"
|-
| 2024
| ''[[Will Trent]]''
| Director GBI
| Episode: "Cpt. Duke Wagner"
|-
| 2024
| ''[[Dark Winds]]''
| Agent Sylvia Washington
| 8 episodes
|}

=== Music videos ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Song
!Artist
|-
|1990
|"Halo"<ref>{{cite web | title=Jenna Elfman reveals past as Depeche Mode video star: 'They told me to dance badly!' | website=TODAY.com | date=May 5, 2014 | url=http://www.today.com/popculture/jenna-elfman-reveals-past-depeche-mode-video-star-they-told-2D79619917 | access-date=June 22, 2022}}</ref>
|[[Depeche Mode]]
|-
|}

== Accolades ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Association
!Year
!Category
!Nominated Work
!Results
!Ref
|-
|[[American Comedy Awards]]
|1999
|[[American Comedy Awards|Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication]]
|''[[Dharma & Greg]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|
|-
|[[Blockbuster Entertainment Awards]]
|2001
|[[Blockbuster Entertainment Awards|Favorite Actress — Comedy/Romance]]
|''[[Keeping the Faith]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globes]]
|1998
| rowspan="3" |[[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy|Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy]]
| rowspan="3" |''[[Dharma & Greg]]''
|{{Nominated}}
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{cite web |title=Jenna Elfman |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/jenna-elfman |access-date=2021-01-13 |website=goldenglobes.com}}</ref>
|-
|1999
|{{Won}}
|-
|2000
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|[[Golden Apple Award]]s
|1998
|[[Golden Apple Award|Female Discovery of the Year]]
|{{N/A}}
|{{Won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |Online Film & Television Association
|1998
| rowspan="2" |Best Actress in a Comedy Series
| rowspan="7" |''[[Dharma & Greg]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=2nd Annual TV Awards (1997-98) - Online Film & Television Association |url=http://www.oftaawards.com/television-awards/2nd-annual-tv-awards-1997-98/ |website=oftaawards.com |access-date=2021-01-13 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|1999
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=3rd Annual TV Awards (1998-99) - Online Film & Television Association |url=http://www.oftaawards.com/television-awards/3rd-annual-tv-awards-1998-99/ |website=oftaawards.com |access-date=2021-01-13 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Primetime Emmy Award]]s
|1998
| rowspan="3" |[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series]]
|{{Nominated}}
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{cite web |title=Jenna Elfman |url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/jenna-elfman |access-date=2021-01-13 |website=Television Academy |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|1999
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|2000
|{{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[Satellite Awards]]
|2000
| rowspan="2" |[[Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy|Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical]]
|{{Nominated}}
|
|-
|2001
|{{Nominated}}
| rowspan="2" |
|-
|2001
|[[Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture|Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical]]
|''[[Keeping the Faith]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|-
|2002
|[[Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy|Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical]]
| rowspan="7" |''[[Dharma & Greg]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|
|-
|[[TCA Awards]]
|1998
|[[TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy|Individual Achievement in Comedy]]
|{{Nominated}}
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[TV Guide Award]]s
|1999
| rowspan="3" |[[TV Guide Award|Favorite Actress in a Comedy]]
|{{Won}}
|
|-
|2000
|{{Won}}
|
|-
|2001
|{{Nominated}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Viewers for Quality Television Awards]]
|1998
| rowspan="2" |[[Viewers for Quality Television Award|Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series]]
|{{Nominated}}
|
|-
|1999
|{{Nominated}}
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="Associated Press">{{cite news |last=Associated Press |author-link=Associated Press |title=Publicist: Jenna Elfman Gives Birth to First Child, a Son Named Story Elias |publisher=[[Fox News]] |date=July 30, 2007 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/publicist-jenna-elfman-gives-birth-to-first-child-a-son-named-story-elias |access-date=January 21, 2022 |quote=The 35-year-old actress}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb name|1184}}

{{GoldenGlobeBestActressTVComedy 1990-2009}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elfman, Jenna}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:Film producers from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:American people of Croatian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Danish descent]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:Television producers from California]]
[[Category:American women television producers]]
[[Category:Best Musical or Comedy Actress Golden Globe (television) winners]]
[[Category:California State University, Northridge alumni]]
[[Category:Elfman family|Jenna]]
[[Category:American Scientologists]]
[[Category:Converts to Scientology from Roman Catholicism]]
[[Category:Los Angeles County High School for the Arts alumni]]
[[Category:American women film producers]]