{{Short description|American actress, screenwriter and producer}} {{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Jen Ponton | image = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|06|27}} | birth_place = Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, U.S. | alma_mater = Ramapo College of New Jersey | occupation = {{flatlist| *Actress *screenwriter *producer}} | years_active = 2009–present | height = 5 ft 3 in | website = {{URL|jenponton.com|JenPonton.com}} }}
'''Jennifer Ponton''' (born June 27, 1984) is an American actress, screenwriter and producer, best known for portraying Rubi in the AMC series ''Dietland''.
== Early life == Ponton is an only child raised in Bloomsbury, New Jersey; there she was a 2002 graduate of Phillipsburg High School, where she was active in the New Jersey Speech and Debate Forensics League, as well as drama club and musical groups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dustinschoof.com/scene-in-the-valley/2016/8/22/watch-phillipsburg-high-school-grad-stars-in-indie-film-love-on-the-run|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829133947/http://www.dustinschoof.com/scene-in-the-valley/2016/8/22/watch-phillipsburg-high-school-grad-stars-in-indie-film-love-on-the-run|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 29, 2016|title=Phillipsburg High School grad calls latest role a 'game-changer' for film industry|website=Dustin Schoof|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref><ref name=LHL2018/> She is a 2006 graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she earned her BA in Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ramapo.edu/success-stories/success-story/jen-ponton/|title=Jen Ponton|website=Success Stories|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref>
== Career == Ponton began her career in 2010 with a guest role on the episode "Reaganing"<ref>30 Rock episode</ref> on ''30 Rock'' opposite Kelsey Grammer.<ref name=LHL2018>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/tv/2010/10/bloomsbury_nj_native_jen_ponto.html|title=Bloomsbury native Jen Ponton to appear on NBC's '30 Rock'|first=Dustin|last= Schoof |website=lehighvalleylive.com|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> She went on to make recurring appearances on ''Law & Order: SVU, The Heart She Holler,'' and ''The Slap,'' as well as guest appearances on ''Boardwalk Empire'', ''The Good Wife'', ''The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.themarysue.com/interview-jen-ponton-kimmy-schmidt/|title=Jen Ponton Talks Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt|last=Jusino|website=www.themarysue.com|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt/community/post/actress-jen-ponton-is-tragically-hysterical-in-unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt-1468456612/|title=Actress Jen Ponton is Tragically Hysterical in 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'|last=|website=TV.com|access-date=2018-12-28|archive-date=2019-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218022654/http://www.tv.com/shows/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt/community/post/actress-jen-ponton-is-tragically-hysterical-in-unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt-1468456612/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Blue Bloods, Deadbeat'' and ''The Blacklist.'' In 2018 she portrayed body positive activist Rubi on the AMC drama ''Dietland.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelily.com/lily-lines-nicole-maines-to-play-a-transgender-superhero-on-the-cws-supergirl/|title=Lily Lines: Nicole Maines to play a transgender superhero on the CW's 'Supergirl'|last=Loeb|first=Ashley Nguyen, Aviva|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/dietland-campbell-scott-alanna-ubach-kelly-hu-marc-blucas-ami-sheth-jen-ponton-amc-series-1202354962/|title='Dietland': Campbell Scott, Alanna Ubach, Kelly Hu, 3 More Join Recurring cast Of AMC Series|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2018-03-29|website=Deadline|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> Ponton also starred in the 2016 film ''Love on the Run'' opposite Steve Howey and Frances Fisher, and she has narrated Jennifer Weiner's ''The Littlest Bigfoot'' audiobook series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Jen-Ponton/2119722229|title=Jen Ponton|website=Simon & Schuster|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref> On stage, she originated the role of Dorrie in Halley Feiffer's ''How to Make Friends and then Kill Them'' at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2013/10/bloomsburys_jen_ponton_makes_h.html|title=Bloomsbury native and Bergen resident Jen Ponton makes her off-Broadway debut|website=NJ.com|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> She is a member of the Television Academy.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}
She is a body positivity and fat acceptance activist,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/actress-jen-ponton-shares-fat-women-just-funny-sidekick-120501678.html|title='Dietland' actress Jen Ponton shares why fat women are more than just 'the funny sidekick'|website=www.yahoo.com|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref> having spoken at length about the importance of size inclusion in entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://womenandhollywood.com/dietland-star-jen-ponton-on-her-new-show-sizeism-and-why-she-wants-to-play-a-superhero/|title="Dietland" Star Jen Ponton on Her New Show, Sizeism, and Why She Wants to Play a Superhero|website=womenandhollywood.com|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.saraiwalker.com/updates/2018/6/11/the-sugar-plum-interview-3-questions-for-jen-ponton|title=The Sugar Plum Interview: 3 Questions for Jen Ponton|website=Sarai Walker|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.culturesonar.com/jen-ponton/|title=Breakout Star Jen Ponton Is Out to Change the Narrative|last=Schumer|first=Celey|date=2016-10-07|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fattitudethemovie.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/talking-body-love-media-sizism-and-weirdos-with-jen-ponton/|title=Talking Body Love, Media Sizism and Weirdos With Jen Ponton!|last=Mazza|first=Melissa|date=2017-02-10|website=Fattitude|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2016/11/130943/sex-scenes-plus-size-actress-jen-ponton|title=What It's Like To Shoot Sex Scenes At A Size 22|website=www.refinery29.com|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/180641-love-on-the-run-movie-features-a-plus-size-lead-defying-plus-size-stereotypes|title='Love On The Run' Is A Plus Size Triumph In Film|last=Tonic|first=Gina|website=Bustle|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revelist.com/movies/jen-ponton-sex-scene-essay/6071|title=TV star's first sex scene at a size 22 is relatable IRL|website=Revelist.com|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/local/2014/11/17/budd-lake-actress-ready-break-free-nipple/19045455/|title=Budd Lake actress ready to break out in|website=Daily Record|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> She was also a featured activist and speaker at the 2018 TCF Style Expo and the 2018 CurvyCon.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2018-09-07/women-celebrate-size-inclusivity-at-alternative-fashion-week|title="Women Celebrate Size Inclusivity at Alternative Fashion Week"|last=Italie|first=Leanne|date=10 September 2018|work=US News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tcfstyleexpo.com/plus-size-on-the-big-small-screen/jen-ponton/|title=Jen Ponton – TCFSTYLE expo|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref>
Ponton is also the co-creator and star of the puppet-led web series ''The Weirdos Next Door.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2015/05/puppet_web_series_starring_bloomsbury_native_to_be.html|title=Puppet web series starring Bloomsbury native to begin its third season|website=NJ.com|date=5 May 2015 |access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref>
==Personal life== Ponton and her husband have been residents of the Budd Lake section of Mount Olive Township, New Jersey.<ref>Izzo, Michael. [https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/entertainment/2014/11/17/budd-lake-actress-ready-break-free-nipple/19048571/ "Budd Lake actress ready to break out in ''Free the Nipple''"], ''Courier News'', November 17, 2014. Accessed September 4, 2019. "Mount Olive – Budd Lake's Jen Ponton has had a great few years, but she says the best is yet to come."</ref>
== Filmography == {| class="wikitable" |+Film !Title !Year !Role !Notes |- |''King Kelly'' |2012 |Angela |Official selection of 2012 SXSW<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/03/meet-the-2012-sxsw-filmmakers-22-andrew-neel-king-kelly-48936/|title=Meet the 2012 SXSW Filmmakers #22: Andrew Neel, 'King Kelly'|date=2012-03-07|website=IndieWire|access-date=2019-01-02}}</ref> |- |''Jack & Diane'' |2012 |Stacy |Official selection of 2012 Tribeca Film Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/jack-and-diane-tribeca-review-317555|title=Jack and Diane: Tribeca Review|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2019-01-02}}</ref> |- |''Free the Nipple'' |2014 |Charlie |Distributed by Sundance Selects and IFC<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/free-nipple-picked-up-by-736179|title='Free The Nipple' Picked Up By Sundance Selects for North American Release|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=29 September 2014 |access-date=2019-01-02}}</ref> |- |''Enchantments'' |2015 |Nancy | |- |''Wiener-Dog'' |2016 |Kristy |Official selection of 2016 Sundance<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/festivals/wiener-dog-review-1201686820/|title=Sundance Film Review: 'Wiener-Dog'|last=Lodge|first=Guy|date=2016-01-23|website=Variety|access-date=2019-01-02}}</ref> |- |''Love on the Run'' |2016 |Franny | |- |''Split'' |2016 |Maria | |- |''Occupy, Texas'' |2016 |Harley | |- |''Chuck'' |2016 |PA |Official selection of 2016 Tribeca Film Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide/chuck-2017|title=Chuck {{!}} Tribeca Film Festival|website=Tribeca|access-date=2019-01-02|archive-date=February 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210064536/https://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide/chuck-2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |''Going in Style'' |2017 |Newlywed Wife | |- |''Come on In'' |2018 |Beverly |Bitch Pack Best in Show, Bluestocking Film Festival 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bluestockingfilms.com/2018-official-selections/|title=2018 Official Selections|website=Bluestocking Film Series|access-date=2019-01-02}}</ref> |- |Beckys Through History |2019 |Becky | |- |Queens of Daytime |2019 |Sara Jo 'Addy' Adderson |TV movie |- |Pizza Party |2020 |#1 | |- |She Came to Me |2023 |Elodie | |- |Love Magick |2023 |Nancy | |} {| class="wikitable" |+Television !Title !Year !Role !Channel !Notes ! |- |''Primetime: What Would You Do?'' |2009 |Bride |ABC |Episode: "Momzilla" | |- |''30 Rock'' |2010 |Brenda |NBC |Episode: "Reaganing" |Nominated for an Outstanding Writing Emmy<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/30-rock|title=30 Rock|website=Television Academy|access-date=2019-01-02}}</ref> |- |''Law & Order: SVU'' |2010 |Mia |NBC |Episode: "Gray" | |- |''The Heart, She Holler'' |2011 |Grinder |Adult Swim |2 episodes | |- |''Boardwalk Empire'' |2012 |Student |HBO |Episode: "You'd Be Surprised" | |- |''The Good Wife'' |2014 |Emily Balsam |CBS |Episode: "We, the Juries" | |- |''Believe'' |2014 |Hallway Nurse |NBC |Episode: Pilot | |- |''Blue Bloods'' |2014 |Kasia Mazurski |CBS |Episode: "Exiles" | |- |''The Slap'' |2015 |Janice |NBC |3 episodes | |- |''Law & Order: SVU'' |2015 |Layla |NBC |Episode: "Daydream Believer" | |- |''Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'' |2016 |Debbie Wells |Netflix |Episode: "Kimmy Meets a Celebrity!" | |- |''Deadbeat'' |2016 |Duchess Beatrix |Hulu |Episode: "The Duchess of Stourbridge" | |- |''Orange Is the New Black'' |2016 |Correcticon Check-In Girl |Netflix |Episode: "We'll Always Have Baltimore" | |- |''The Blacklist'' |2016 |Maisy |NBC |Episode: "Mato" | |- |''Dietland'' |2018 |Rubi |AMC |3 episodes | |- |Helpsters |2020 |Cindy Circle |Apple TV+ |Episode: "Scatter/Sid Square" | |- |Scratch This |2021 |Angelica | |Episode: "Ommm My God" | |- |Dickinson |2021 |Body Healer |Apple TV+ |Episode: "Forever - Is Composed of Nows" | |- |Three Women |2023 |Barbara |Starz |2 episodes | |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{official}} *{{IMDb name}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ponton, Jen}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American actresses Category:Ramapo College alumni Category:American television actresses Category:American film actresses Category:People from Bridgewater Township, New Jersey Category:People from Bloomsbury, New Jersey Category:People from Mount Olive Township, New Jersey Category:Actresses from Hunterdon County, New Jersey Category:Phillipsburg High School (New Jersey) alumni Category:Actresses from Morris County, New Jersey Category:Actresses from Somerset County, New Jersey