Jenna Fischer Bio

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Jenna Fischer Pictures

Jenna Fischer (born March 7, 1974) is an American actress, film director and writer. She has appeared in several films including Blades of Glory, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and The Promotion, but is most widely known for playing Pam Beesly on the NBC sitcom The Office.

Jenna Fischer: Early life

Fischer was born Regina Marie Fischer in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the daughter of Anne and Jim Fischer. She has one younger sister, Emily, and was raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She has gone by the first name Jenna since she was born.

She attended Pierremont Elementary School and later attended Nerinx Hall High School, a private, all-girls Catholic school, in suburban Webster Groves. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, as well as a minor in Journalism, from Truman State University, where she originally enrolled as a pre-law major. Before landing her role as Pam Beesly on The Office, Fischer worked as a receptionist and administrative assistant while auditioning for roles on the side. She has stated in interviews that she can type 85 words per minute with 90 percent accuracy.

Jenna Fischer: Career

Jenna Fischer - Television and feature films

Before landing her breakthrough role on The Office, Fischer spent the first several years of her career appearing primarily in bit parts in small indie films and guest spots on television shows. Her television credits include roles on Six Feet Under, That '70s Show, Cold Case, Miss Match, Strong Medicine, Undeclared, What I Like About You, Off Centre and Spin City.

Jenna Fischer at The Heart Truth Fashion Show, February 2008

In 2004 Fischer wrote, directed, and starred in the mockumentary LolliLove, co-starring her now ex-husband James Gunn, Linda Cardellini, Judy Greer, Lloyd Kaufman and Jason Segel. The film premiered at the St. Louis International Film Festival (the hometown of Fischer and Gunn) in November 2004, as well as the TromaDance Film Festival. For her role in the film, Fischer was awarded a Screen Actors Guild Emerging Actor Award. Her experience on the low-budget film (principal photography cost $1500, mostly for food) discouraged her from any future directorial aspirations, as she told a St. Louis arts and entertainment magazine:

Fischer spoke about her career aspirations in an April 2005 interview with The Index, the student newspaper at Truman State University, her alma mater:

Fischer has expressed a desire to take on more dramatic film roles in the future, telling a reporter at the 2009 Golden Globe awards: "Yes, [I want to play a serious role.] When I saw Amy Adams in Doubt, I was just, 'Oh, I'd love to do that someday.' She's so talented and I'd like to follow in her footsteps. She does everything - drama, comedy."

Fischer's film credits include Employee of the Month, Slither, Lucky 13, The Specials, The Brothers Solomon, Blades of Glory, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, and The Promotion.

Jenna Fischer - Other work

Prior to The Office, Fischer's short subject work included the 2002 film Les Superficiales, a Peter Alton film; Alton later co-wrote and narrated LolliLove. Fischer had a starring role in a 2003 Instant Films short called The Girl's Guide to Summer, directed by Instant Film's co-founder (and camera operator) Charles Papert.

In 2006 she appeared on Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, appearing in the show's eighth tournament, shot in New Orleans, Louisiana. Fischer played for Catholic Charities' Tsunami Relief and went out in second place.

In 2007, Fischer starred in the music video for Willie Wisely's single, "Through Any Window", directed by longtime friend John Cabrera; the opportunity arose because she knew Wisely from work he had done on soundtracks for LolliLove and Tromeo and Juliet, one of her husband's films.

In December 2007, during the Hollywood writer's strike, Fischer appeared at Sacred Fools Theatre in episode 25 of Darque Magick, a serialized play written and directed by Jenelle Riley.

In 2009, Fischer recorded a voiceover of a commercial for Proactiv Skincare Solutions.

In July 2009 Fischer played left field for the National League team in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game as part of the MLB All-Star Week festivities. The event was held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, where Fischer grew up.

Jenna Fischer: Personal life

On October 7, 2000, Fischer married filmmaker James Gunn, the brother of Fischer's lifelong friend Sean Gunn. On September 5, 2007, Fischer and Gunn announced they were separating after nearly seven years of marriage. In a radio interview during the publicity tour of The Promotion, she said that her divorce was finalized.

In May 2007, while attending the NBC upfronts for her role in The Office, Fischer fell down a flight of stairs in a Manhattan lounge and fractured her back in four places. After a twelve-week recovery, she returned to the set in time for the fourth season's first episode.

Fischer at the Inside The Office panel discussion at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in March 2009

On September 24, 2008, People reported that Fischer is dating screenwriter Lee Kirk. On July 6, 2009, it was reported that Fischer and Kirk were engaged. Kirk proposed on June 30 while the couple was on holiday in Europe.

Fischer has a cat named Andy, whom she rescued while in college. Fischer is involved with the animal organizations Kitten Rescue and Rescue Rover in Los Angeles. In 2008, she hosted an event for Kitten Rescue that included a silent auction for the organization.

Fischer is godmother to Isabel Lieberstein, the daughter of The Office co-star and close friend Angela Kinsey.

Fischer, along with several of her Office co-stars, regularly updates her MySpace blog with behind-the-scenes anecdotes of upcoming episodes of The Office.