Jody Jaress

Jody Jaress is a seasoned actress renowned for her ability to portray a diverse array of intricate characters. Over her extensive career, she has embodied roles ranging from a deeply troubled individual to a compassionate psychiatrist, a sinister nanny, a conflicted nurturing mother, and a lighthearted wife, showcasing her versatility and depth as a performer.

Jody's journey in the world of entertainment began over four decades ago in Michigan. Her family roots trace back to the 1800s when her ancestors immigrated from Germany and Wales to New York, eventually settling in Southern Illinois. Born in Ottawa, Illinois, just before her father enlisted in the Navy Seabees during World War II, Jody's family later relocated to Ferndale, Michigan, and then to Rochester, where she immersed herself in equestrian competitions, music, and theater. She honed her skills in acting, stage makeup, lighting, sound, set design, and directing at the Will-O-Way Apprentice Theatre and Repertory Company in Bloomfield Hills.

After graduating from Rochester High School at seventeen, where she was crowned Miss Rochester and later earned recognition in the Miss Michigan Pageant, Jody ventured to New York City. There, she had the opportunity to meet the legendary Lee Strasberg, who invited her to join the Actor's Studio. Instead, she moved to California after a fateful encounter with esteemed horror director William Castle. Her film career took off with her first speaking role in The Bigot, also known as Deadly Daphne's Revenge (1987), which was later remastered and released by Troma Pictures.