Kelley Jakle
Branch Rickey received much of his early education in Lucasville schools, later stating Valley High School was his “alma mater.” This small town's claim to fame is not forgotten. Branch Rickey remains a giant figure not only in professional baseball but also in the civil rights movement. Now, let's fast forward a few generations to a new celebrity in the Rickey lineage – Branch's great-granddaughter, Kelley Alice Jakle.
Kelley Alice Jakle is an American
actress and singer-songwriter best known for her role as Jessica in
Pitch Perfect (2012), and its two sequels Pitch Perfect 2
(2015) and Pitch Perfect 3 (2017). She is also known for
her appearances on the first and second seasons of The Sing-Off in
2009 and 2010.
Jakle was born June 27, 1989, in
Carmichael, California. Kelley is the daughter of Cynthia Houghton
(Dunning) and Christopher/Christop Jakle. Kelley’s parents have
English, German, and Irish roots. She has two older brothers and is
the only girl in her family. Kelley’s paternal grandmother was
Mabel Alice Rickey (the daughter of Branch Rickey and Jane Moulton).
Branch was the son of Jacob Frank Rickey and Emily Brown, and Jane
was the daughter of Chandler Julius Moulton and Mary Celia Smith.
While growing up, Kelley always enjoyed
playing soccer, basketball, swimming, and “being a tomboy with her
big brothers,” but she discovered her true calling when she starred
as a Fuzzy Caterpillar in her 3rd grade play.
Jakle was active in music from an early
age, performing as part of the Sacramento Children's Chorus, singing
“The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events (including a San
Francisco 49ers game in 2006 and a Los Angeles Dodgers game in 2013
in honor of Jackie Robinson Day), and auditioning for the singing
contest American Idol. Jakle began writing music in 2003, her
freshman year of high school, accompanying herself on the piano. By
her junior year she had produced her first self-titled CD, containing
five completely original songs.
After graduating from Loretto High
School, Kelley attended the University of Southern California, where
she majored in communications. In 2007, Jakle joined the USC a
cappella group the “SoCal VoCals.” During her tenure in the SoCal
VoCals, the group won the International Championship of Collegiate A
Cappella in 2008 and again in 2010.
In 2009, Jakle took part in season one
of The Sing-Off, a
singing competition televised on NBC, as part of a group called "The
SoCals". The SoCals were eliminated in the third episode. In
2010, Jakle again competed on The Sing-Off, this time as part
of "The Backbeats.” The Backbeats finished the contest in
third place.
While attending USC, Kelley joined the
band, “By the Way” as lead vocalist. Other band members included
Matt Santinello (Guitar/Vocals), Cody Oswalt (Bass), and John Farrace
(Drums). The band released a self-titled extended play in 2007.
During her junior year, Jakle released a solo extended play, “Spare
Change,” featuring a mix of produced and acoustic tracks.
Jakle's style, though labeled "Pop,”
is described by critics as “unique.” Drawing from such
inspirations as Andrew McMahon, Michelle Branch, Patti Griffin, and
Sheryl Crow, Kelley blends “her passionate piano playing with
soulful vocal melodies to produce a sound all her own.”
After graduating with honors from
college, Kelley remained in Los Angeles adding network TV appearances
along with major feature films to her growing list of credits. She
began working as an actress in Los Angeles. Her first film role was
as Jessica in the 2012 musical comedy Pitch Perfect, with
Jakle being chosen as a "ringer" due to her background in a
cappella.
In 2013, Jakle appeared in 42,
the biographical film about baseball legend Jackie Robinson
co-starring Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey. In 42, she played
the role of Alice. Jakle reprised her role as Jessica in Pitch
Perfect 2 in 2015 and
Pitch Perfect 3 in 2017. She also made an appearance on the
Comedy Central television series "Workaholics." Kelley also
released several singles in 2013, including a cover of "Ain't It
Fun" by Paramore.
On July 29, 2016, Kelley originated the
role of Marilyn Monroe in Marilyn! The New Musical at the Alex
Theatre in Glendale, California. The musical Marilyn!
chronicles the star's childhood and tumultuous path to stardom. Set
in the present day, the story follows Michelle, a young journalist
from England researching Marilyn Monroe to commemorate the actress'
90th birthday. She visits Charlie Page, one of Marilyn's drivers, who
is now living a life of solitude. Two stories emerge as Charlie bonds
with Michelle and he recalls Marilyn Monroe's life in flashback and
reveals the real reason behind his living as a recluse for over 40
years.
The cast stars Jakle as Marilyn Monroe,
Kelley Dorney (PBS Concert Special A Tale of Two Cities) as
Norma Jeane, and Samantha Stewart (Days of Our Lives) as
Michelle Morgan.
In 2017, Kelley became a member of the
“7th Ave.” band, a group of vocalists brought together in 2016 by
Chris Rupp, the founder of Home Free. The website says: “Combining
elements of pop, swing, rockabilly, country, and much more, 7th Ave
is aiming to reinvent and uproot the standard definitions of all of
those genres through our innovative arrangements and fun music
videos.”
Kelley has also made appearances on
Comedy Central's "Workaholics" and "Adam Devine's
House Party."
Jakle is an ambassador for ReACT, a
movement in Montana that encourages teenagers not to smoke. She talks
about how living a healthy lifestyle has helped her follow her
dreams. Kelly is part of the "Lead by Example and Be Tobacco
Free" movement.
Kelley has been in a couple of
relationships that have come to media attention. First was with her
Pitch Perfect co-star Adam DeVine. Their relationship ended in
2015. Jakle soon began flaunting her new flame on Instagram. That new
guy is Days of Our Lives alum Mark Hapka.
I hope you follow the career of
Rickey's talented great-granddaughter. Kelley Jakle has established
herself as both an accomplished actress and a musician. A beautiful
lady still in her 30s, she is making quite a name for herself. Watch
for her performances and enjoy her talent. Find her digital music on
Amazon. Click here for more information:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=kelley+jakle
Sources
“7th Ave.”
http://www.7thaveband.com/about/
Hayley Levitt. “Marilyn Monroe
Musical to Offer One-Night-Only World Premiere.” Los Angeles.
July19, 2016.
“Kelley Jakle Bio/Wiki.”
https://heightline.com/kelley-jakle-bio-wiki-dating-boyfriend-height-body-measurements/
“Kelley Jakle.”
https://www.last.fm/music/Kelley+Jakle/+wiki.
“Kelley Jakle.” https://web.archive.org/web/20140108202836/http://www.scvocals.com/bio.aspx?
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