Jessica Marie Alba was born on April 28, 1981, in Pomona, California, to Catherine (Jensen) and Mark David Alba, who served in the US Air Force. Her father is of Mexican descent, including Spanish and Indigenous Mexican roots, and her mother has Danish, Welsh, English, and French ancestry. Her family moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, when she was an infant, then to California, Texas, and finally settled in Southern California when Jessica was nine.
In love with the idea of becoming an actress from the age of five, she was 12 before she took her first acting class. Nine months later, she was signed by an agent. She studied at the Atlantic Theatre Company with founders William H. Macy and David Mamet.
A gifted young actress, Jessica has played a variety of roles ranging from light comedy to gritty drama since beginning her career. She made her feature film debut in 1993 in Hollywood Pictures' comedy Camp Nowhere. Originally hired for two weeks, she got her break when an actress in a principal role suddenly dropped out. Jessica cheerfully admits it wasn't her prodigious talent or charm that inspired the director to tap her to take over the part--it was her hair, which matched the original performer's.
Jessica has appeared in numerous films, including Never Been Kissed, Idle Hands, Honey, Sin City, Fantastic Four, and Machete. She has also had recurring roles in TV series such as The Secret World of Alex Mack and Flipper.
In addition to her film and television work, Jessica has been featured in various magazines, including Teen Magazine, Vanity Fair, and European publications. She has received numerous awards and nominations for her performances, including a Golden Globe and People's Choice Award nomination, a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award, and an MTV Movie Award.
Jessica has been recognized for her philanthropic work, including her involvement with the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, and the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. She has also been a spokesperson for various brands, including Calvin Klein, Revlon, and Gucci.
