Jenny Lewis first rose to prominence as a child star, capturing hearts in the late ‘80s with standout roles in Troop Beverly Hills (1989) and The Wizard (1989). But long before she became a household name on screen, Jenny Lewis was already making her mark—appearing in commercials as a young girl and landing her acting debut in the pilot of Baby Makes Five (ABC, 1983). Born in Las Vegas, NV in 1976 to a singer mother and a harmonica-playing father, it seemed almost inevitable that Jenny Lewis would end up in the spotlight. She soon played Becky, Lucille Ball’s granddaughter, in the short-lived sitcom Life with Lucy (ABC, 1986), which gave her early exposure to network television.
From there, Jenny Lewis built an impressive resume, guest-starring on major hits like The Golden Girls (NBC, 1985–1992) and Growing Pains (ABC, 1985–1992), while also appearing in various TV movies. One of her more notable early film roles came in the romantic comedy Trading Hearts (1988), where she played a baseball-loving teen with a knack for matchmaking. However, it was her performances in two 1989 films that truly cemented her place in pop culture: starring opposite Fred Savage in the gaming cult favorite The Wizard, and portraying Shelley Long’s daughter Hannah in the beloved summer camp comedy Troop Beverly Hills. These roles remain some of the most memorable moments in Jenny Lewis’s early career.
Even as she transitioned into adulthood, Jenny Lewis continued to act throughout her early twenties. She took on recurring roles as Neala in the legal drama Shannon’s Deal (NBC, 1990–91) and as Katie Monahan in the cross-cultural sitcom Brooklyn Bridge (CBS, 1991–93). She shared the screen with a young Angelina Jolie in the coming-of-age drama Foxfire (1996), acted alongside Ryan Phillippe in the indie film Little Boy Blue (1997), and appeared in Reese Witherspoon’s socially charged satire Pleasantville (1998). One of her later acting projects was the black-and-white indie dramedy Don’s Plum (2001), which, though released years after filming, featured music by Blake Sennett—a guitarist who would soon become a key collaborator.
That same musical connection led to the formation of Rilo Kiley, the indie-folk band fronted by Jenny Lewis and featuring Sennett, drummer Dave Rock, and bassist Pierre de Reeder. The group quickly gained a devoted following, releasing their well-received debut Take Offs and Landings in 2001, followed by The Execution of All Things (2002) and More Adventurous (2004). Their final studio album, Under the Blacklight (2007), marked a commercial high point, breaking into the US Top 40—an achievement that reflected how far Jenny Lewis had come from her early days in front of the camera.
By then, however, Jenny Lewis had already begun exploring her solo career. In 2006, she teamed up with the Watson Twins to release Rabbit Fur Coat, a critically acclaimed debut that showcased her soulful voice and introspective songwriting. After Rilo Kiley disbanded, Jenny Lewis fully embraced her identity as a versatile and collaborative artist. She leaned into Americana roots with Acid Tongue (2008), joined forces with then-partner Johnathan Rice for the playful duet project I’m Having Fun Now under the name Jenny and Johnny (2010), and co-wrote scores for indie films like Very Good Girls (2013) and Song One (2014).
Her 2014 album The Voyager marked a turning point—earning her first entry into the US Top 10 and blending polished rock with deeply personal lyrics. Not one to stay still, Jenny Lewis co-founded the supergroup Nice as F*** in 2016 with Tennessee Thomas of The Like and Erika Forster of Au Revoir Simone, releasing a self-titled debut that turned heads across the indie scene. Then, in 2019, Jenny Lewis returned with her fourth solo album, On the Line, a lush, emotionally rich record featuring contributions from heavyweights like Beck, Ryan Adams, and even Ringo Starr.
Throughout it all, Jenny Lewis has remained a uniquely compelling figure—equally at home in front of a camera or behind a microphone, always evolving, yet unmistakably herself. Whether through her early fame, her band years, or her bold solo work, Jenny Lewis continues to leave an indelible mark on both film and music.
When it comes to Jenny Lewis’s career highlights, one project really stands out—Jenny Lewis’s highest rated film to date is A Very Murray Christmas from 2015. This festive musical special earned widespread acclaim and showcased Jenny Lewis’s unique talent in a fun, collaborative setting. On the other end of the spectrum, Jenny Lewis’s lowest rated appearance comes from her early role in Troop Beverly Hills (1989), a movie that, while nostalgic for some, didn’t resonate as strongly with critics or audiences. Still, it’s interesting to see how Jenny Lewis’s journey has evolved over the years—from a young performer in a campy comedy to a celebrated artist in a critically praised holiday production. Overall, Jenny Lewis continues to leave her mark across music and film, with peaks like A Very Murray Christmas defining key moments in her creative path.