Who is Jennifer Morrison? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Jennifer Marie Morrison

Age: 44 Years, 44 Year Old Females

Family:

siblings: Daniel Morrison, Julia Morrison

Born Country: United States

Actresses American Women

Ancestry: Irish American

City: Chicago, Illinois

Notable Alumni: Loyola University Chicago

U.S. State: Illinois

More Facts

education: Loyola University Chicago

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Childhood & Early Life

Jennifer Morrison was born on April 12, 1979. She is the oldest of her parents’ three children. She comes from a musically inclined family, as her parents David and Judy Morrison, were both music teachers. Her brother Daniel also became a high school band director while her sister Julia became a singer and a songwriter.

Morrison attended South Middle School, and later Prospect High School. She used to play the clarinet as well as sing in the choir during her school days. She also used to be a cheerleader while at high school.

She made her film debut while she was still a high school student, playing a supporting role in the 1994 film 'Intersection'.

After graduating from high school, she attended Loyola University Chicago. With a major in theatre and a minor in English, she completed her graduation in 2000. She also studied for some time at the Steppenwolf Theatre before she left for Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

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Career

The first significant movie in Jennifer Morrison’s career was the psychological thriller 'Urban Legends: Final Cut', which released in 2000. Directed by John Ottman, the film also starred actors Matthew Davis, Hart Bochner, Eva Mendes and Anthony Anderson. The film was a moderate commercial success, grossing more than $39 million worldwide.

After appearing in movies such as 'The Zeros' and '100 Women', she appeared in the movie 'Grind' in 2003. Directed by Bill Gerber, the film is about four amateur skaters who want to make it to the world of pro skateboarding, for which they pull instant stunts. The movie starred actors Mike Vogel, Vince Vieluf, Adam Brody, and Joey Kern in major roles while Morrison appeared in a supporting role. The film didn't do well commercially, and received mostly negative reviews.

In 2004, she started appearing in the American television medical drama series 'House'. The show, which was ranked among the top ten series in the United States, was one of the most important works in her career. Morrison's performance in the series earned her a nomination for the 'Screen Actors Guild Awards' for Outstanding Performance by Ensemble in a drama series.

Over the next few years, she appeared in several films like 'Surviving Christmas', (2004), 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' (2005), 'The Murder of Princess Diana' (2007), and ‘Star Trek’ (2009). She also continued her work on TV appearing in the TV series 'Chase' and 'How I met Your Mother'.

Jennifer Morrison has also made appearances in several music videos such as 'Shut up' by Nick Lachey (2003) and 'What I want' by Will Butler (2015). She also did a voice role for the video game 'Command & Conquer 3' in 2007.

In 2011, she started appearing in a main role in the fairy tale TV series 'Once Upon a Time'. Created by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, the story is about characters from various fairy tales who find themselves in the real world without their memories. Having earned her a 'Teen Choice Award' along with several other nominations for her role, the series can be regarded as the most important work in Morrison's career.

Some of her most recent works in films are her roles in 'Warning Labels', a 2015 short film for which she received a nomination at the Tribeca Film Festival, and the 2016 American supernatural horror movie 'The Darkness'.

Jennifer Morrison has also appeared in two plays 'The Miracle Worker' (2010) and 'The End of Longing' (2017).

Major Works

'Urban Legends: Final Cut', an American psychological thriller released in 2000, was the first film in Jennifer Morrison's career, in which she played a lead role. Other actors in the cast included Matthew Davis, Hart Bochner, Eva Mendes, and Anthony Anderson. Directed by John Ottman, the film is about a PhD student Amy Mayfield, who decides to make a film about a serial killer.

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Morrison appeared in the American television medical drama 'House' which ran on the Fox network from 2004 to 2012. Directed by David Shore, the show stars Hugh Laurie in the main role as Dr. Gregory House. Other actors in the series include Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer. The show was a huge success. Not only it received positive reviews, but it also became one of the most popular and most-watched shows in the US.

Morrison's role in the American fairy tale TV series 'Once Upon a Time' can be regarded as the most important work of her career. The show, which has been running since 2011, on the ABC network, takes place in a town called Storybrooke, whose residents are characters from different fairytales sent to the real world, without their memories. Along with Morrison, the cast includes Ginnifer Goodwin, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, and Jared S. Gilmore. Not only has the show been reviewed positively by critics, but it also rose to become one of the most watched TV shows in the US.

In 2016, Morrison appeared in the American supernatural horror movie 'The Darkness'. Directed by Greg McLean, the film also stars actors such as Kevin Bacon, Radha Mitchell, David Mazouz, Lucy Fry, and Matt Walsh. The film, which is believed by some to be inspired by actual events, is about a family whose lives are turned upside down by a supernatural force. The film was a moderate commercial success.

Awards & Achievements

Jennifer Morrison received six award nominations for her role in 'Once Upon a Time'. In 2016, she won the 'Teen Choice Award' for Choice TV: Liplock for her role in the series.

In 2006, she also received the Trailblazer Award for HollyShorts 2016 Trailblazer Award (Women in Film) for Groundbreaking Actress, Director, and Producer.

She stood at No. 69 in Maxim 2009 Hot 100 list.

Personal Life & Legacy

Jennifer Morrison dated Jess Spencer, with whom she co-starred in 'House,' from 2004. Though they had planned to marry, their engagement was cancelled in 2007.

Later, she dated actor Amaury Nolasco from 2008 to 2011.

From 2012 to 2013, she dated Sebastian Stan, with whom she co-starred in 'Once Upon a Time'.

Jennifer Morrison Biography