Jenn Gotzon

Jenn Gotzon (born May 18, 1979) 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]

Gotzon in The Farmer and The Belle: Saving Santaland

Early life and education

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

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.[5] Gotzon also worked for Google in various positions, including HR Coordinator.[6]

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.[7]

Gotzon had a number of "bit roles" in TV series including House, Pushing Daisies, and CSI: New York.[7] In 2009, she had a cameo role in Frost/Nixon as First Daughter Tricia Nixon Cox,[7] after casting director Jane Jenkins was struck by her physical resemblance to Nixon's daughter.[8]

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.[8] Gotzon received the 2008 Rising Star Award at the Wildwood By the Sea Film Festival.[9][10]

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."[7][11] 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.[12]

The Film Advisory Board granted Gotzon an "Award of Excellence for 'Doonby' and Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment World [Inspiring Audiences motivational program]".[5][13] 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.[13]

Since 2017, Gotzon has worked on faith-based film projects with her husband Jim Chandler including My Daddy's in Heaven, Sunrise in Heaven[14] and the 2020 releaseThe Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland, a Christmas movie loosely based on their real life romance.[15][16]

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.[8] 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.[17][18]

Gotzon has a mentor-outreach program called Inspiring Audiences where she speaks at high schools about the "moral lessons" of her movies.[5][19]

References
  1. 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. bio – Jenn Gotzon Archived September 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Jenn Gotzon's Official Website.
  5. "Getting To Know Award Winning Actress, Jenn Gotzon". Bella Magazine. 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  6. ActorsE Chat with actor Jenn Gotzon and host Judith Jones Actors Entertainment. November 1, 2010.
  7. "Jenn Gotzon's Dream Come True Life Story". Movie Guide.
  8. "3 movies, 2 months 1 RISING CAREER". The Morning Call. December 7, 2008.
  9. Chubby (Checker) and actress honored Archived March 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Philadelphia Daily News. October 6, 2008.
  10. Gotzon plays starring role in film festival success Archived March 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Wildwood Leader. October 1, 2008.
  11. Jenn Gotzon Talks About Supernatural Mystery Movie “Doonby”. Nice Girls TV. November 2, 2010.
  12. Producer Tried to Edit Bible Out of Sony’s 'Soul Surfer' (Justin Bieber, Doonby). The Hollywood Reporter. April 8, 2011.
  13. 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.
  14. Sahms, Jacob (April 1, 2019). "Sunshine in Heaven's Jenn Gotzon Chandler Relishes Real-Life Roles". Christian Cinema. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  15. 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.
  16. "Christmas movie getting praise for its message". Fox 59. December 23, 2020.
  17. 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.
  18. Uyeh, Miranda A. (March 16, 2018). "Interview with my Daddy is in Heaven Main Cast, Jenn Gotzon Chandler". MAU. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  19. Kecskes, Alex (November 19, 2017). "Jenn Gotzon Chandler talks Faith & Healing in "Unbridled"". ACED Magazine. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
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