# Jenna Elfman

Jenna Elfman (née Butala, born September 30, 1971) is an American actress. She is best known for her leading role as Dharma on the 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), EDtv (1999), Keeping the Faith (2000), Town & Country (2001), Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003), Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004), and Big Stone Gap (2014).
Elfman has also played leading roles on other television comedies, including Courting Alex (2006), 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 legal drama Damages in 2012, and has been a series regular on the AMC horror drama series Fear the Walking Dead since 2018.

## Early life

Elfman's paternal uncle is Tony Butala, lead singer of the American vocal trio The Lettermen since 1958. She is of Croatian ancestry on her father's side and was raised Roman Catholic.
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). She studied at the Westside School of Ballet, receiving a full scholarship.

## Career
### 1990–1996: Early works

Elfman began her professional career as a dancer, appearing in music videos for Depeche Mode ("Halo", 1990), 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. In 1996, she was cast as a lead character alongside Molly Ringwald and Lauren Graham in the short-lived ABC sitcom Townies. The series was cancelled after one season and 15 episodes. 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. 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 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. 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. In 1999, she starred opposite Matthew McConaughey in the satirical comedy film EDtv. 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. The following year, she starred in the romantic comedy film Keeping the Faith opposite Ben Stiller and Edward Norton (who also directed). The film received generally positive reviews and grossed $60 million. Elfman received 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, 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. It received negative reviews from critics. Elfman has also done voice-over work in the animated films Dr. Dolittle (1998) and CyberWorld (2000).

### 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. 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. In 2005, she starred and produced the romantic drama film, Touched.
In 2006, Elfman returned to television with the leading role in the CBS sitcom, Courting Alex. The series was cancelled after one season. She guest-starred on Two and a Half Men, My Name Is Earl and Brothers & Sisters. In 2009, she appeared in the comedy films The Six Wives of Henry Lefay and Love Hurts. In 2011, she played Justin Timberlake's character sister in the romantic comedy film, Friends with Benefits. In 2012, Elfman and her husband Bodhi started their podcast, Kicking and Screaming by Jenna and Bodhi Elfman.
Elfman starred in another short-lived CBS sitcom, Accidentally on Purpose during the 2009–10 season. In 2012, she took a recurring role in the FX legal thriller 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. She starred in the romantic comedy film, Big Stone Gap (2014) opposite Ashley Judd, and appeared in the drama film Barry about Barack Obama's life at Columbia University in 1981. In 2017, she starred in another one-season sitcom, Imaginary Mary on ABC. Like 1600 Penn and Growing Up Fisher, the series was cancelled after its first season.
In 2018, Elfman was cast in the AMC horror drama series, Fear the Walking Dead playing the mysterious nurse June "Naomi / Laura" Dorie. She made her debut in the fourth season and stayed on show to the eighth and final season. The series ended in 2023. In 2020, she starred in an episode of the horror anthology series, The Twilight Zone. She later guest-starred on the ABC crime drama Will Trent and the AMC thriller Dark Winds. In 2025 she made her return to sitcoms with the recurring role in the ABC comedy series, Shifting Gears.

## Personal life

In February 1991, she met actor Bodhi Pine Elfman (né Saboff) during an audition for a Sprite commercial. Four years later, they were married on February 18, 1995. Bodhi is of Jewish descent, and Jenna was raised Catholic. When they met, he was a practicing Scientologist. She became a Scientologist as well after her husband introduced her to its teachings. They have two children.

### Scientology

Elfman is a member of the Church of Scientology. By 2001 she had attained the State of Clear, and by 2020 she was on the OT VII level. 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. In 2001, Elfman opened a Scientology mission in San Francisco.
In 2005 she appeared at the grand opening of Citizens Commission on Human Rights' museum, Psychiatry: An Industry of Death. She and husband Bodhi are listed on the CCHR website as members of the board of advisors.
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.

### Fundraising activities

Elfman participated in fundraising activities, including donating an hour of her time for auction, donating a print of her lips, participating in a telethon fundraiser, hosting a comedy show, and asking for charity donations instead of birthday presents.
Elfman participated in awareness-raising initiatives, including modeling for a fashion show, 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.

## Filmography
### Film

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

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1992 | Murder, She Wrote | Ballet Dancer in background | Uncredited; Episode: "Dance Diabolique" |
| 1993 | Double Deception | Lisa Majorski | Television film |
| 1994 | The George Carlin Show | Psychedelic girl | As Jenna Butala; Episode: "George Does A Bad Thing" |
| 1995 | The Monroes | Lily | Episode: "Bottoms, Up" |
| 1995 | Roseanne | Garland | Episode: "The Getaway, Almost" |
| 1996 | Her Last Chance | Leslie | Television film |
| 1996 | Townies | Shannon Canotis | Main role |
| 1996 | Murder One | Angela Scalese | Episode: "Chapter Seventeen" |
| 1996 | Almost Perfect | Becky Toll | Episode: "Being Fired Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry" |
| 1996 | NYPD Blue | Patty Snow | Episode: "The Nutty Confessor" |
| 1997 | The Single Guy | Jordan | Episode: "Just Friends?" |
| 1997–2002 | Dharma & Greg | Dharma Freedom Finkelstein Montgomery | Main role |
| 2002 | Obsessed | Ellena Roberts | Television film |
| 2004 | Two and a Half Men | Frankie | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | Courting Alex | Alex Rose | Main role |
| 2007 | 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 | Billie Chase | Main role |
| 2011 | Two and a Half Men | Dharma Montgomery | Episode: "Nice to Meet You, Walden Schmidt" |
| 2012 | Shameless | Jill | Episode: "Fiona Interrupted" |
| 2012 | Damages | Naomi Walling | 7 episodes |
| 2012–2013 | 1600 Penn | Emily Nash Gilchrist | Main role |
| 2013 | Royal Pains | Lacy | Episode: "Open Invitation" |
| 2014 | Growing Up Fisher | Joyce Fisher | Main role |
| 2014 | So You Think You Can Dance | Herself | Guest judge |
| 2015 | The Perfect Stanleys | Ellen | Television film |
| 2017 | Imaginary Mary | Alice | Main role |
| 2018–2023 | Fear the Walking Dead | June "Naomi / Laura" Dorie | Main role |
| 2018–2021 | Talking Dead | Herself | 6 episodes |
| 2020 | 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 |
| 2025 | Shifting Gears | Eve Drake | Recurring role |

### Music videos

| Year | Song | Artist |
| 1990 | "Halo" | Depeche Mode |

## Accolades

| Association | Year | Category | Nominated Work | Results |
| American Comedy Awards | 1999 | Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | 2001 | Favorite Actress — Comedy/Romance | Keeping the Faith | Nominated |
| Golden Globes | 1998 | Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Golden Globes | 1999 | Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy | Dharma & Greg | Won |
| Golden Globes | 2000 | Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Golden Apple Awards | 1998 | Female Discovery of the Year | — | Won |
| Online Film & Television Association | 1998 | Best Actress in a Comedy Series | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Online Film & Television Association | 1999 | Best Actress in a Comedy Series | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 1998 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 1999 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2000 | | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2000 | Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2001 | Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2001 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical | Keeping the Faith | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2002 | Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| TCA Awards | 1998 | Individual Achievement in Comedy | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| TV Guide Awards | 1999 | Favorite Actress in a Comedy | Dharma & Greg | Won |
| TV Guide Awards | 2000 | Favorite Actress in a Comedy | Dharma & Greg | Won |
| TV Guide Awards | 2001 | Favorite Actress in a Comedy | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Viewers for Quality Television Awards | 1998 | Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |
| Viewers for Quality Television Awards | 1999 | Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series | Dharma & Greg | Nominated |