Biography
Jessica Stroup was born October 23, 1986, in Anderson, South Carolina. A brilliant student, she received a scholarship to attend the University of Georgia but decided instead to pursue a career in Hollywood. “I had amazing support out in California, and they said, ‘If this is what you want to do, if you want to focus on acting, you come to California,’” she says. “And so I moved out and immediately got into classes.”
Jessica Stroup was born October 23, 1986, in Anderson, South Carolina. A brilliant student, she received a scholarship to attend the University of Georgia but decided instead to pursue a career in Hollywood. “I had amazing support out in California, and they said, ‘If this is what you want to do, if you want to focus on acting, you come to California,’” she says. “And so I moved out and immediately got into classes.”
jessica stroup in unfabulous and vampire bats
Jessica Stroup’s hard work paid off and she was soon cast in a number of national commercials for big brands such as Honda, Dentyne and Velveeta. “I got lucky with a couple commercials, but doing smaller things, doing student movies and films and more independents… That’s what’s helped me learn the most,” she says. “And I think being on set and being able to actually get the experience is where you learn.”
She was able to put those experiences to the test in 2005, when she made her television debut in an episode of the teen comedy series Unfabulous starring Emma Roberts. Jessica Stroup made her first foray into horror films later that year when she appeared alongside Lucy Lawless in Vampire Bats, a creepy made-for-TV movie about an infestation of blood-thirsty mutant bats.
jessica stroup in school for scoundrels
The year 2006 was a particularly big one for Jessica Stroup as she popped up in a number of hit television shows such as Girlfriends and Zoey 101 while also making her big-screen debut in School for Scoundrels, a hilarious romantic comedy costarring Jon Heder and Academy Award-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton.
jessica stroup stars in the hills have eyes II
Jessica Stroup truly came into her own in 2007, when she was cast in The Hills Have Eyes II as a National Guard soldier who runs into mutants while training in the desert. The most terrifying thing about the intense slasher flick may have been the 120-degree weather she and her fellow castmates had to endure on set in Morocco. “For the first month we were outside,” she explains. “It was right at the end of the summer and we’re in full army suits, boots, gloves, hats, helmets, jackets, everything, and we had to do a ton of training. The heat was insane. I remember one day I had to step aside, go in the shade, eat some sugar or I’d pass out. It was ridiculously hot.” However, it was an experience she wouldn’t trade for the world. “The cast, I’d say, was absolutely the greatest people that I’ve ever worked with,” she gushes. “We had so much fun. And I think you’ve got to have a bit of a sense of humor when you’re working on a horror film like this.”
jessica stroup guest stars on grey’s anatomy
Jessica Stroup followed up her appearance in The Hills Have Eyes II with decidedly more subdued roles in the seasonal film This Christmas and in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. “It was fun,” she says of her experience working on ABC’s hit medical drama. “They were all very focused, all amazing people to work with. Going from the extreme blood, gore, crazy running around and screaming to very subdued drama was a great experience. I’m very thankful to have met and worked with all of them.”
jessica stroup in 90210
Jessica Stroup has since appeared in four episodes of Reaper, playing the Devil’s daughter, and in the teen horror film Prom Night, costarring up-and-coming actresses Brittany Snow and Dana Davis. Look for her next in Homecoming, a horror film about a jilted ex-girlfriend and in the CW’s highly anticipated new series, 90210.