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.
Early life Jakle 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.
After graduating from Loretto High School, Jakle attended the University of Southern California, where she majored in communications. In 2007, Jakle joined the USC a cappella group the SoCal VoCals. 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.
Career
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. 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. Jakle reprised her role as Jessica in Pitch Perfect 2 in 2015 and Pitch Perfect 3 in 2017.
In 2013, Jakle released several singles, including a cover of "Ain't It Fun" by Paramore.
On July 29, 2016, Jakle played the role of Marilyn Monroe in Marilyn! The New Musical at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California.
Most recently, Jakle appeared as Sarah in Pitch Perfect co-star Anna Kendrick's 2023 directorial debut, Woman of the Hour.
Personal life Jakle is the great-granddaughter of Major League Baseball executive Branch Rickey.
Jakle is an ambassador for ReACT, a movement in Montana that encourages teenagers not to smoke.
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 2023 Woman of the Hour Sarah
+ 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 Harmony Television film (Lifetime)2019Mistletoe and MenorahsChristy Dickinson Television film (Lifetime)2020A Very Charming Christmas TownLaurelTelevision film (Lifetime)2020Black Hearted KillerVeraTelevision 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
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
References
External links