Mckenna Grace is an American actress and singer known for her impressive range and talent in both film and television. Born on June 25, 2006, in Grapevine, Texas, she began her acting career at a remarkably young age, quickly establishing herself as a notable presence in Hollywood. Grace first gained widespread recognition for her role as Mary Adler in the drama film Gifted (2017), a performance that earned her a nomination for the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer.
Grace's journey into acting began when she was just five years old, leading her family to relocate to Los Angeles, California. She made her television debut with a role as Jasmine Bernstein in the Disney XD sitcom Crash & Bernstein from 2012 to 2014. Her early television credits also include a stint as Faith Newman on the long-running soap opera The Young and the Restless between 2013 and 2015. These early roles laid the foundation for her burgeoning career in the entertainment industry.
In addition to her work in Gifted, Mckenna Grace appeared in several other notable films, including I, Tonya (2017), where she portrayed a young version of Margot Robbie's character, and the critically acclaimed Troop Zero (2019). She also showcased her versatility in blockbuster hits such as Captain Marvel (2019) and horror films like The Bad Seed (2018), The Haunting of Hill House (2018), and Annabelle Comes Home (2019). Her performance as Esther Keyes in the acclaimed series The Handmaid's Tale from 2021 to 2022 marked a significant achievement, as she became the first child actor to receive a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
Grace's role as Phoebe Spengler in the supernatural comedy film Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) further solidified her status as a rising star in Hollywood, earning her critical praise and a nomination for a Critics' Choice Super Award. She reprised her role in the upcoming sequel, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024). In 2022, she took on the dual roles of writer and executive producer for The Bad Seed Returns, showcasing her multifaceted talent. Additionally, she portrayed Jan Broberg in the miniseries A Friend of the Family, further demonstrating her ability to tackle complex characters.
Beyond acting, Mckenna Grace has pursued a music career, signing with Photo Finish Records in 2020. She released her debut single, "Haunted House," in 2021 as part of the Ghostbusters: Afterlife soundtrack. In 2023, she released two extended plays, "Bittersweet 16" and "Autumn Leaves," which explored different musical genres, including pop rock and folk.
As she continues to build her career, Mckenna Grace remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, with upcoming projects such as the romantic drama Regretting You (2025) and the supernatural horror film Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (2025) on the horizon. Her early achievements and ongoing contributions to film and music highlight her as an artist to watch in the coming years.
