Odeya Rushinek

Biography:

Odeya Rush is an Israeli-American actress, director and writer known for her expressive performances and graceful screen presence. Born Odeya Rushinek, she spent her early childhood in Haifa, Israel, before moving to the United States with her family at the age of nine. Growing up in a new country and learning English presented challenges, but her interest in acting encouraged her to pursue opportunities in television, commercials and films.

Odeya began gaining attention through television appearances before making her feature-film debut in The Odd Life of Timothy Green, where she played Joni Jerome. Her career developed with memorable roles in The Giver, Goosebumps and other films that introduced her to a wider international audience. In Greta Gerwig’s acclaimed coming-of-age film Lady Bird, she portrayed Jenna Walton, a popular student whose friendship and social standing become part of the main character’s high-school experiences. She later appeared in Dumplin’, Let It Snow, Umma and Cha Cha Real Smooth, demonstrating her ability to work across comedy, drama, romance and thriller genres.

Beyond acting, Odeya has explored filmmaking through writing and directing short projects, including Thanks. Her creative interests extend to music and performance, reflecting her enthusiasm for different forms of storytelling. With experience in both independent productions and mainstream films, she continues to build a varied career in entertainment. Her work in film and television has established her as a recognizable performer among audiences in the United States and internationally.