Jena Malone Biography: Films, Height, Nationality, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Awards

Jena Malone has carved a distinctive path in Hollywood, known for her fearless performances in both independent and mainstream projects.

From her breakout role in “Bastard Out of Carolina” to her iconic portrayal of Johanna Mason in the “Hunger Games” series, Malone’s versatility and emotional depth have earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.

Profile

• Full Name: Jena Laine Malone
• Stage Name: Jena Malone
• Born: November 21, 1984
• Age: 40 years old
• Birthplace: Sparks, Nevada, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Television and Film Actress, Musician, Photographer
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m)
• Parents: Deborah Malone, Edward Berge
• Siblings: Madison Mae Malone
• Spouse: Alex Ebert
• Children: Ode Mountain DeLorenzo Malone
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: USD 4 million

Early Life and Education

Jena Malone was born on November 21, 1984, in Sparks, Nevada, to Deborah Malone and Edward Berge.

Born from a one-night stand, she was raised primarily by her mother and her mother’s girlfriend in an unconventional, often financially strained household, experiencing periods of homelessness and frequent relocations, including time in Las Vegas.

She was home-schooled from sixth to eighth grade, attended the Professional Children’s School in New York City for ninth grade, and dropped out of high school in 1999, earning her GED in 2001.

At 15, she gained legal emancipation from her mother due to financial mismanagement, taking control of her career and earnings.

Career

Jena Malone debuted in 1996 at the age of 12 with the TV film “Bastard Out of Carolina,” earning nominations for an Independent Spirit Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of a girl who has been abused.

She followed these roles with appearances in Hope (1997), for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination, and Contact (1997), for which she won a Saturn Award as Young Ellie Arroway.

Her role in Stepmom (1998) alongside Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon marked her mainstream breakthrough.

The 2000s saw her star in the cult classic Donnie Darko (2001) as Gretchen Ross, as well as Life as a House (2001) and Saved! (2004), showcasing her range in indie films.

She played Lydia Bennet in Pride & Prejudice (2005) and made her Broadway debut in Doubt (2006), earning praise for her role as Sister James.

Malone’s action role as Rocket in Sucker Punch (2011) preceded her global recognition as Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games series (2013–2015), for which she won a Teen Choice Award.

She has held diverse roles in notable films, including The Neon Demon (2016), Nocturnal Animals (2016), Antebellum (2020), Lorelei (2020, as executive producer), and Love Lies Bleeding (2024).

Recent TV credits include Too Old to Die Young (2019) and Goliath (2021). She also pursued music, releasing a single as Jena Malone and the Bloodstains (2007) and performing as part of the duo The Shoe.

Awards and Nominations

• Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie (Bastard Out of Carolina, 1996)
• Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Debut Performance (Bastard Out of Carolina, 1996)
• Screen Actors Guild Award Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie (Bastard Out of Carolina, 1996)
• Golden Globe Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Miniseries (Hope, 1997)
• Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor (Contact, 1997)
• Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie (Ellen Foster, 1997)
• Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film (Stepmom, 1998)
• Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress: Action (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, 2015)
• BloodGuts UK Horror Award (The Neon Demon, 2016)
• Critics’ Choice Movie Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress (Nocturnal Animals, 2017)

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @jenamalone
• Facebook Handle: Jena Malone
• Twitter Handle: @malonejena

Personal Life

Jena Malone, 40, lives a vibrant, creative life in Los Angeles. Standing at 5’5″ with red-brown hair and green-blue eyes, she maintains a distinctive, artistic style.

She was raised by her mother and her mother’s girlfriend, whom she called “Godmom,” and reconciled with her father, Edward Berge, in adulthood.

Malone has a half-sister, Madison Mae Malone. She dated actor Erik von Detten (1999–2000) and was engaged to photographer Ethan DeLorenzo, with whom she has a son, Ode Mountain DeLorenzo Malone (born May 2016).

They separated in 2019. Since then, she has been in a relationship with musician Alex Ebert, publicly identifying as polysexual and polyamorous in 2022.

A committed vegan, Malone is passionate about environmental conservation, supporting Greenpeace and 350.org, and advocates for women’s rights and mental health, openly discussing her postpartum depression.

She rescued an abused dog in Hollywood, earning media attention, and shares her photography and family moments on social media.

Filmography

• Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) – Ruth Anne “Bone” Boatwright (TV Film)
• Hope (1997) – Lilly Kate Burns (TV Film)
• Contact (1997) – Young Ellie Arroway (Film)
• Stepmom (1998) – Anna Harrison (Film)
• Donnie Darko (2001) – Gretchen Ross (Film)
• Life as a House (2001) – Alyssa Beck (Film)
• American Girl (2002) – Rena Grubb (Film, Co-Producer)
• Saved! (2004) – Mary Cummings (Film)
• Pride & Prejudice (2005) – Lydia Bennet (Film)
• The Ballad of Jack and Rose (2005) – Rose Slavin (Film)
• Into the Wild (2007) – Carine McCandless (Film)
• The Ruins (2008) – Amy (Film)
• Sucker Punch (2011) – Rocket (Film)
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) – Johanna Mason (Film)
• The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) – Johanna Mason (Film)
• The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015) – Johanna Mason (Film)
• The Neon Demon (2016) – Ruby (Film)
• Nocturnal Animals (2016) – Sage Ross (Film)
• The Public (2018) – Myra (Film)
• Too Old to Die Young (2019) – Diana DeYoung (TV Series)
• Lorelei (2020) – Dolores (Film, Executive Producer)
• Antebellum (2020) – Elizabeth (Film)
• Swallowed (2022) – Alice (Film)
• Consecration (2023) – Grace (Film)
• Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024) – Ellen Harvey (Film)
• Love Lies Bleeding (2024) – Beth (Film)
• Music: Single as Jena Malone and the Bloodstains (2007), Performances with The Shoe (2008–present)

Net Worth

Jena Malone has an estimated net worth of USD 4 million.

Her wealth is accumulated through her extensive acting career, which includes high-profile roles in the Hunger Games series and independent films such as Donnie Darko, as well as her work as a musician and photographer.

Additional income from producing projects like Lorelei, as well as her advocacy-driven endorsements, supports her financial standing, reflecting her multifaceted career.