Kelley Jakle
Born
Carmichael, California, United States
Occupation(s)Actress, singer-songwriter
Years active2003–present

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]

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

Film roles
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]
Television roles
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 La sinfonia del natale Armony 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)
Web television roles
Year Title Role Notes
2015 Climate Change Deniers' Anthem Singer Funny or Die website
2017 "Poker Face" Singer Postmodern Jukebox website
Music video roles
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

  1. ↑ "About — Robin Alice Robin Alice". Archived from the original on April 11, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Alcalá, Carlos (December 14, 2009), "Loretto grad's vocal talent lands her in group and on 'Sing-Off'", Sacramento Bee
  3. ↑ Fowler, Clay (April 13, 2013). "Dodgers tip their caps to Jackie Robinson". DailyNews.com. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Kelley Jakle". SoCal VoCals. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  5. ↑ "History 2007–2008". SoCal VoCals. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Deke Sharon Makes A Cappella Cool Again". NPR. May 9, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  7. ↑ Lytal, Cristy (December 15, 2010). "USC Vocalists Make the Finals on NBC's Sing-Off". University of Southern California. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Actress Kelley Jakle of "42"". The McCarthy Project. March 29, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Rebel Wilson Teases 'Pitch Perfect 2' With First Day Rehearsal Pic". MTV.com. MTV. April 23, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  10. ↑ Hayley Levitt (July 19, 2016). "Marilyn Monroe musical to offer one-night-only world premiere". TheaterMania.com. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  11. ↑ DeMarco, Margaret (December 2, 2016), "Pitch Perfect" actress Kelley Jakle visits Great Falls school, KRTV, retrieved May 15, 2017
  12. ↑ "Tony Hale Joins Anna Kendrick's Directorial Debut Feature 'The Dating Game,' Co-Starring Alongside Daniel Zovatto and Nicolette Robinson". Variety. December 16, 2022.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "Poker Face (feat. Kelley Jakle) – Single – Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox".
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