Ena O'Rourke's journey in the entertainment industry began with a strong foundation in drama, having studied at Huntingdon College and the Montgomery School of Fine Arts in Alabama. At the age of 20, she landed her first feature film role, which sparked a passion that would drive her to pursue a career in the medium.
Ena's talent and dedication soon led her to relocate to Los Angeles, where she quickly secured roles in both film and television, including appearances in Strange Wilderness and Night Stand with Dick Dietrich. Her impressive resume caught the attention of notable producers, and she went on to collaborate with esteemed companies such as the Discovery Channel, Canal+, and Disney.
Ena's personal life took a significant turn when she married Emmy-award winning producer John Burrud. Together, they worked on various projects, and Ena took a decade-long hiatus from acting to focus on caring for the unique needs of one of her children, who required specialized attention.
During this time, Ena pursued certifications in Yoga Therapy and Yoga Nidra, which allowed her to open a private practice focused on PTSD and develop programs for organizations like the VA. Her dedication to her craft and her commitment to helping others only added to her already impressive resume.
Ena returned to acting in 2015, and since then, she has accumulated over 70 credits in her career. She has continued to work with various companies and has even ventured into production, co-founding Mapaches Productions, LLC with her second husband, Steve Rodriguez, in 2021.
Their first feature film, Yellow Bird, premiered to critical acclaim, taking home the Best Feature award at the Santa Monica Film Festival and the Best Comedy award at the 2023 Independent Filmmakers Showcase/LA Film Festival. Ena's performance in the film, in which she played the lively trailer trash gold-digger Ellie, showcased her impressive range and versatility as an actress.
In addition to her work in film, Ena is currently developing a female-driven gothic western series, Viscious Kin, in collaboration with writer/director Rebekah Wiggins. Fans of Ena's work can also look forward to her latest release, There is a Monster, which is now available on AppleTV+ and Amazon Prime.
