Jody Jaress

Born: 1943-04-18

A veteran actress, Jody has become known for her complex character roles. Having played everything from the darkest depths of insanity, to a grounded psychiatrist, a creepy nanny, a tormented nurturing mother, to a ditsy wife. Jody began her entertainment career more than 40 years ago in Michigan. Her ancestors arrived in New York from Germany and Wales in the 1800's and migrated to Southern Illinois where they became teachers, nurses, lawyers, farmers, pastors, lawmen, with a couple of rogues among them. Jody was born in Ottawa, Illinois just prior to her dad joining the Navy Seabees in WWII. Once the war ended the family moved to Ferndale, Michigan just outside of Detroit for many years and then moved out to horse country in Rochester, Michigan. Jody divided her time between competing in Western horse shows, singing, and beginning studies in theatre acting, stage makeup, lighting, sound, set design and directing at the Will-O-Way Apprentice Theatre and Repertory Company in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After graduating from RHS (Rochester High School) at age seventeen, winning the Miss Rochester Pageant, the Miss Romeo Peach Queen title, and then placing in the Miss Michigan Pageant, Jody went to NYC to make "the rounds" and meet up with Lee Strasberg who welcomed her into his home for lunch and to meet his family. He requested that she come back the following year when she would be old enough to join the Actor's Studio. She moved to California instead after meeting the iconic horror film director, William Castle at a premier back in Detroit. Now in California, her very first film with dialog was The Bigot aka The Hunting Season and recently remastered and distributed by Troma Pictures as Deadly Daphne's Revenge (1987).


Don't See
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as VIP Party Guest (uncredited)
Released: 2007-12-19

In the 1980s U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, Texas socialite Joanne Herring and CIA agent Gust...

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Don't See

Titanic 666

as Mrs. Straus
Released: 2022-04-15

After a mammoth cruise ship sails over the site of the Titanic’s disaster, dark and deadly...

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Hollywoodland

as Mannix Maid
Released: 2006-08-31

When Hollywood superstar George Reeves dies in his home, private detective Louis Simo is hired...

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Little Fish, Strange Pond

as Grandmother
Released: 2009-10-23

Mr. Jack and Sweet Stephen cruise aimlessly through the streets of LA speculating about life,...

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Railroad to Hell: A Chinaman's Chance

as Emily Smith
Released: 2008-05-14

1870's America. A Chinese immigrant falsely accused of murdering a white woman is viciously...

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2 Bedroom 1 Bath

as Agnes
Released: 2014-03-13

A young couple moves into what appears to be the perfect home, but when they discover that they...

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Retake

as Debbie
Released: 2016-06-21

A lonely, middle-aged man hires a male prostitute to recreate a road trip from his past.

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The Edge of Her Mind Anthology

as Older Woman (segment "Fragile Storm")
Released: 2022-04-15

A powerful anthology of short films, made by and about women, shining a compassionate light on...

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Kaylien

as Teacher
Released: 2011-10-24

An autistic child's first day in a new school.

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Last Call

as The Bartender
Released: 2009-01-01

A drama about Gavin, a recovering alcoholic, who ends up in a strangely familiar bar.

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Boys On Film 5: Candy Boy

as The Bartender (segment "Last Call")
Released: 2010-10-25

Boys On Film 5: Candy Boy features nine award-winning short films. Boys will be boys in...

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Fresh Kill

as Jane
Released: 1988-07-21

They were the prey... They were forced to kill... The bloody chase begins...

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Deadly Daphne's Revenge

as Rhea
Released: 1987-11-01

A young hitchhiker is picked up by four drunken hunters, one of whom rapes her. A tough...

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Transplant

as Secretary
Released: 1979-04-17

Fact-based story about a hard-driving young executive who rebels against his failing heart and...

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Chain Link

as Rhea
Released: 2008-04-01

A story about Anthony, a man recently released from prison who is trying to rebuild his life,...

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See Me

as Emma
Released: 2014-01-01

Burn survivors Kristen and Jack reunite after a year of healing for a date and are faced with...

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NCIS

as Leora
First aired: 2003-09-23

From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents...

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A Man on the Inside

as Helen Braithwaite
First aired: 2024-11-21

A retired professor gets a new lease on life when a private investigator hires him to go...

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Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

as Ruby
First aired: 2008-01-13

The series picks up four years after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day with John and...

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Lawmen: Bass Reeves

as Mary Parker
First aired: 2023-11-05

The story of Bass Reeves, the legendary lawman of the wild West, is brought to life. Reeves...

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