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Entertainment • Actor

Jessica Rothe

Jessica Rothe is an American actress known for her roles in film and television.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jessica Rothe is an American actress known for her roles in film and television. She is best known for playing Tree Gelbman in the horror-comedy films *Happy Death Day* (2017) and *Happy Death Day 2U* (2019), and for appearing in *La La Land* (2016).

Early life and education

Jessica Rothe was born Jessica Ann Rothenberg in Denver, Colorado. Sources indicate she attended Cherry Creek High School and later studied theatre at Boston University, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2009.

Career

Rothe began appearing in independent films and on stage before gaining wider recognition. Her breakout role came with *Happy Death Day*, and she later appeared in *La La Land*, *Forever My Girl*, *Valley Girl*, *Mary + Jane*, and *Utopia*.

Breakthrough with *Happy Death Day*

Rothe is best known for playing Tree Gelbman in the 2017 horror-comedy *Happy Death Day* and its 2019 sequel. The role established her as a prominent performer in horror-comedy films.

Key facts

  • Jessica Rothe was born Jessica Ann Rothenberg in Denver, Colorado.
  • She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre from Boston University in 2009.
  • Her breakthrough role was Tree Gelbman in *Happy Death Day* (2017) and its sequel *Happy Death Day 2U* (2019).
  • She appeared in *La La Land* (2016) and other film and television projects.
  • She married actor Eric Clem in 2020.

Frequently asked questions

What is Jessica Rothe best known for?
She is best known for playing Tree Gelbman in *Happy Death Day* and *Happy Death Day 2U*.
What is Jessica Rothe’s birth name?
Her birth name is Jessica Ann Rothenberg.
When was Jessica Rothe born?
She was born on May 28, 1987.
Where is Jessica Rothe from?
She was born in Denver, Colorado, United States.
What did Jessica Rothe study?
She studied theatre at Boston University and earned a BFA in 2009.
Is Jessica Rothe married?
Yes. She married actor Eric Clem in 2020.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Rothe
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, career overview, and breakthrough role in *Happy Death Day*.
  2. TMDb — https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1427680-jessica-rothe?language=en-US
    Supports: Birth date, place of birth, known roles, and selected filmography including *Mary + Jane*, *Happy Death Day*, *La La Land*, and *Utopia*.
  3. Screen Dollars — https://www.screendollars.com/celebrity/jessica-rothe/
    Supports: Background, education, and biographical details including Boston University and marriage.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1557329/
    Supports: Birth name, birthplace, selected credits, education, and career summary.