Jenna Elfman
Biography
Jenna Elfman is an American television and film actress born Jennifer Mary Butala on September 30, 1971, in Los Angeles, California. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, she is widely recognized for her performance as the character Dharma on the ABC sitcom Dharma and Greg, which aired from 1997 to 2002. Throughout her professional life, she has been credited under the names Jennifer Mary Butala and Jennifer Ma. With a career spanning decades, she has established herself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, maintaining a consistent presence in both television and film productions. Her work has earned her recognition within the industry, including major accolades for her television contributions.
Career overview
Jenna Elfman began her professional career as a dancer. During this early period, she appeared in music videos for the bands Depeche Mode and Anthrax. Additionally, she performed as a dancer during the 1991 Academy Awards live broadcast, which was choreographed by Debbie Allen. Following these initial experiences, she transitioned into a career in acting, eventually securing the role that would define her early television work.
Elfman is best known for her leading role as Dharma on the ABC sitcom Dharma and Greg, a series that ran from 1997 to 2002. Her portrayal of the character earned her significant critical recognition, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy, which she received in 1999. In addition to this win, her work on the program garnered three nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award. Throughout her professional trajectory, she has accumulated 63 known acting credits, solidifying her status as an established performer in the American television and film landscape.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Shifting Gears (2025) as Eve
- Will Trent (2023) as Edie Reynolds
- My Dad the Bounty Hunter (2023) as Setelva (voice)
- Dark Winds (2022) as Special Agent Sylvia Washington
- The Twilight Zone (2019)
- Imaginary Mary (2017) as Alice
- To Tell the Truth (2016) as Self - Panelist
- Barry (2016) as Kathy Baughman
- Fear the Walking Dead (2015) as June
- Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self
- Growing Up Fisher (2014) as Joyce Fisher
- Big Stone Gap (2014) as Iva Lou Wade
- Beat Bobby Flay (2013) as Self
- Hollywood Game Night (2013) as Self
- The Mindy Project (2012) as Priscilla
- 1600 Penn (2012) as Emily Nash Gilchrist
- Shameless (2011) as Jill
- Friends with Benefits (2011) as Annie Harper
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- Accidentally on Purpose (2009) as Billie
- The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009) as Ophelia
- Love Hurts (2009) as Darlene
- Struck (2008)
- Damages (2007) as Naomi Walling
- Brothers and Sisters (2006) as Lizzie Jones-Baker
- Courting Alex (2006) as Alex Rose
- Best of Chris Isaak (2006) as (segment "Somebody's Crying") (archive footage) (uncredited)
- My Name Is Earl (2005) as Kimmi Himler
- Touched (2005) as Angela Martin
- Touched (2005) Executive Producer
- Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown (2004) as Self
- Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004) as Dorothy (voice)
- Two and a Half Men (2003) as Frankie
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003) as Kate
- Nudes in the News (2002) as Dharma (archive footage)
- Mr. Bill Does Vegas (2002)
- Obsessed (2002) as Ellena Roberts
- Town & Country (2001) as Auburn
- Keeping the Faith (2000) as Anna Riley
- The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas! (2000) as Lorelei (voice)
- CyberWorld (2000) as Phig (voice)
- EDtv (1999) as Shari
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
- Doctor Dolittle (1998) as Owl (Voice)
- Can't Hardly Wait (1998) as The Angel (uncredited)
- Krippendorf's Tribe (1998) as Veronica
- The View (1997) as Self
- Dharma & Greg (1997) as Dharma Montgomery
- Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) as Tanya
- Townies (1996) as Shannon Canotis
- Her Last Chance (1996) as Leslie
- Murder One (1995) as Angela Scalese
- Almost Perfect (1995)
- The Single Guy (1995) as Jordan
- The Monroes (1995)
- Double Deception (1993) as Lisa Majorski (as Jenna Butala)
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992) as Self
- Depeche Mode: Strange Too (1990) as Tall Dancer in 'Halo' Video
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self - Guest
- Roseanne (1988)
- The Emmy Awards (1949) as Self