Jenn Gotzon

Jenn Gotzon Chandler is an American film actress. She portrayed U.S. President Richard Nixon's daughter Tricia Nixon in the 2009 film Frost/Nixon. Gotzon portrayed the female protagonist[1] in The Farmer and The Belle: Saving Santaland opposite her actor-husband Jim E. Chandler,[2] and appeared in the mystery-drama Doonby.[3]

Early life and education

Jennifer Lee Gotzon was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and raised in neighboring Northampton, Pennsylvania.[4] She attended Northampton Area High School and graduated in 1997.[1] She competed in the Miss America pageant.[5]

Gotzon studied at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts for two years and did a two year conservatory at Joanne Baron/DW Baron Studio in Los Angeles.[6] Gotzon also worked for Google in various positions, including HR Coordinator.[7]

Career

Gotzon's first lead role was in 2002 in low budget independent film Julie and Jack, for which she won Best Actress at the Global Arts Film in Sacramento.[8]

Gotzon had a number of "bit roles" in TV series including House, Pushing Daisies, and CSI: New York.[8] In 2009, she had a cameo role in Frost/Nixon as First Daughter Tricia Nixon Cox,[8] after casting director Jane Jenkins was struck by her physical resemblance to Nixon's daughter.[9]

In 2008, Gotzon won Best Actress for short-film Stained at 168 Film Festival, a contest that gives filmmakers 168 hours to shoot, edit and score a film based on a Bible verse.[9] Gotzon received the 2008 Rising Star Award at the Wildwood By the Sea Film Festival.[10][11]

In 2012, Gotzon had a leading role in psychological thriller Doonby. She was cast by producer Mark Joseph after he followed her on social media, making it the "first official Facebook casting of a lead role in a theatrically released film."[8][12] Writer-director Peter Mackenzie had a scene digitally altered to make it more "Christian-friendly", reducing the amount of cleavage shown by Gotzon in response to comments from religious leaders.[13]

The Film Advisory Board granted Gotzon an "Award of Excellence for 'Doonby' and Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment World [Inspiring Audiences motivational program]".[6][14] Gotzon also starred in Christian film God's Country, directed by her then husband Armstrong, in 2012, for which she received "Best Actor" at the Pocono Mountain Film Festival.[14]

Since 2017, Gotzon has worked on faith-based film projects with her husband Jim Chandler including My Daddy's in Heaven, Sunrise in Heaven[15] and the 2020 releaseThe Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland, a Christmas movie loosely based on their real life romance.[16][17]

Personal life

Gotzon was previously married to director Chris Armstrong,[1] who she met in 2004 after he cast her in his senior thesis film.[9] They divorced in 2014. She married Jim Chandler, whom she met while working on a movie together in 2014, on March 17, 2017; footage from their wedding was used in The Farmer and The Belle.[18][19]

Gotzon has a mentor-outreach program called Inspiring Audiences in which she speaks at high schools about the moral lessons of her movies.[6][20]

References

  1. ^ a b c Gotzon takes the lead The Morning Call. 2011-1-26.
  2. ^ Carpenter, Chris. "'The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland' Movie Delivers a Holiday Filled with Hope". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  3. ^ It's a wonderful role for Schneider The Hollywood Reporter. 2010-4-26.
  4. ^ [https://www.lvpnews.com/20211112/bringing-it-all-back-hometown-roxy-theatre-to-screen-new-movie-starring-je/ "Bringing it all back hometown: Roxy Theatre to screen new movie starring Jenn Gotzon," Lehigh Valley Press News, November 12, 2021
  5. ^ bio – Jenn Gotzon Archived September 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Jenn Gotzon official website.
  6. ^ a b c "Getting To Know Award Winning Actress, Jenn Gotzon". Bella Magazine. 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  7. ^ ActorsE Chat with actor Jenn Gotzon and host Judith Jones Actors Entertainment. November 1, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c d "Jenn Gotzon's Dream Come True Life Story". Movie Guide. March 9, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c "3 movies, 2 months 1 RISING CAREER". The Morning Call. December 7, 2008.
  10. ^ Chubby (Checker) and actress honored Archived March 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Philadelphia Daily News. October 6, 2008.
  11. ^ Gotzon plays starring role in film festival success Archived March 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Wildwood Leader. October 1, 2008.
  12. ^ Jenn Gotzon Talks About Supernatural Mystery Movie “Doonby”. Nice Girls TV. November 2, 2010.
  13. ^ Producer Tried to Edit Bible Out of Sony’s 'Soul Surfer' (Justin Bieber, Doonby). The Hollywood Reporter. April 8, 2011.
  14. ^ a b Wadel, Boaz (2013). "Actress Jenn Gotzon Uses Nov 1 'Doonby' Movie Opening To Inspire Students as Her Career Explodes With John Schneider Impactful Film". rossmap. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  15. ^ Sahms, Jacob (April 1, 2019). "Sunshine in Heaven's Jenn Gotzon Chandler Relishes Real-Life Roles". Christian Cinema. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  16. ^ Holmes, Joseph (December 22, 2020). "'The Farmer And The Belle' (Mostly) Succeeds In Blending Christmas And Faith-Based Genres". Religion Unplugged. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  17. ^ "Christmas movie getting praise for its message". Fox 59. December 23, 2020.
  18. ^ Goins-Phillips, Tré (December 5, 2020). "New Faith-Based Christmas Movie Reminds Girls They Are 'Fearfully and Wonderfully Made'". CBN News. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  19. ^ Uyeh, Miranda A. (March 16, 2018). "Interview with my Daddy is in Heaven Main Cast, Jenn Gotzon Chandler". MAU. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  20. ^ Kecskes, Alex (November 19, 2017). "Jenn Gotzon Chandler talks Faith & Healing in "Unbridled"". ACED Magazine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.