Jenna Elfman, born Jennifer Mary Butala in 1971, is an American film and television actress. She was born in Los Angeles, California, and is the youngest of three children. Her mother, Sue Butala, was a homemaker, while her father, Richard Butala, worked as an executive at Hughes Aircraft. Jenna’s paternal uncle, Tony Butala, was the lead singer of the American vocal trio The Lettermen, which gained popularity in the late 1950s.
Elfman is of Croatian ancestry on her father’s side and was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. She began taking ballet classes at the age of five. However, after sustaining an ankle injury at the age of nine and a serious tendon injury at 12, she gradually pivoted her focus from dance to acting, although she continued dancing for some time afterward.
She attended Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and later enrolled at California State University, Northridge, where she further developed her passion for performance.
Jenna Elfman began her professional performing career as a dancer. She appeared in music videos for notable artists, including Depeche Mode’s “Halo” in 1990, Anthrax’s “Black Lodge” in 1993, and Chris Isaak’s “Somebody’s Crying.” In 1994, she toured with the rock band ZZ Top as part of their stage act, known as a "Legs Girl."
Her television career started with commercial appearances, leading to her casting in the short-lived 1996 ABC sitcom Townies. This role marked the beginning of her transition into television comedy and helped build her profile as an actress.
Elfman’s breakout role came in 1997 when she was cast in the lead role of Dharma Freedom Finkelstein Montgomery on the ABC sitcom Dharma & Greg. The series, which blended unconventional personality with traditional comedic setups, aired for five seasons until its cancellation in 2002. The show gained a strong following and showcased Elfman’s unique comedic style and timing.
In addition to Dharma & Greg, Jenna Elfman made guest appearances in successful sitcoms such as The King of Queens and Two and a Half Men, further solidifying her presence on network television during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
| Birth Date: | 30 Sep, 1971 |
| Age: | 48 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Los Angeles |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | Actress, producer |
| Spouse: | Bodhi Elfman [M. 1995] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 12 million |
