Meg Donnelly
{{Short description|American actress (born 2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Meg Donnelly
| image = Meg Donnelly in 2018.jpg
| caption = Donnelly in 2018
| birth_name = Meg Elizabeth Donnelly
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|07|25}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 2013–present
| website = {{URL|megdonnelly.com}}
}}
Meg Elizabeth Donnelly{{Cite web|url=https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/meg-donnelly-zombies-facts-022118|title=All the Fun Facts You Need to Know About Zombies Star Meg Donnelly|website=Sweety High|date=February 21, 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505065609/https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/meg-donnelly-zombies-facts-022118|archive-date=May 5, 2018}} (born July 25, 2000{{Cite tweet |author=Meg Donnelly |user=immegdonnelly |number = 889953325977698304 |title=In da Club by 50 Cent on repeat todAY. nothing but love & thanks for the birthday wishes y'all. 17 is gonna be a dope year pic.twitter.com/Pqgt29ddol |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=January 6, 2019}}) is an American actress. She played Taylor Otto in the ABC sitcom American Housewife (2016–2021), Addison Wells in the Disney Channel film series Zombies (2018–present), and Mary Campbell in the CW television series The Winchesters (2022–2023).
Early life
Donnelly was born in New York City and grew up in Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey.Todd, Samantha. [https://www.newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/former-peapack-gladstone-teen-lands-lead-in-disney-movie/article_7c7ccc67-3944-52df-a5cb-35f7980f4567.html "Former Peapack-Gladstone teen lands lead in Disney movie"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114173841/https://www.newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/former-peapack-gladstone-teen-lands-lead-in-disney-movie/article_7c7ccc67-3944-52df-a5cb-35f7980f4567.html |date=January 14, 2021 }}, The Bernardsville News, June 14, 2017. Accessed January 13, 2021. "Zombies, high school, cheerleading and falling in love sum up what a normal day is like is for 16-year-old actress Meg Donnelly." She is an only child.{{cite web|author=Samantha Simon|url=http://www.instyle.com/reviews-coverage/tv-shows/american-housewife-meg-donnelly|title=American Housewife Star Meg Donnelly on Sitcoms, Singing, and (a Lack of) Siblings|work=InStyle|date=May 16, 2017|access-date=January 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612231940/http://www.instyle.com/reviews-coverage/tv-shows/american-housewife-meg-donnelly|archive-date=June 12, 2017}} She began training in voice, dance and acting at the Annie’s Playhouse School of Performing Arts in Far Hills, New Jersey at the age of six. She has appeared as a featured vocalist in several Kids of the Arts, Broadway Kids and Time To Shine productions in New York City.{{cite web|title=Meg Donnelly's Biography|url=http://www.megdonnelly.com/about.html|website=megdonnelly.com|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215112827/http://www.megdonnelly.com/about.html|archive-date=February 15, 2018|url-status=dead}} While in New York, to better communicate with Japanese exchange students at her high school, she began learning their language, later releasing one of her singles in Japanese.{{cite web|last=Yan |first=Jack |url=https://lucire.com/2023/0826ll0.shtml |title=Living her truth |work=Lucire |date=2022-05-24 |access-date=2025-04-09 }}
Career
File:Meg Donnelly 2016 (cropped).jpg
Donnelly co-starred as Ash in the 2013 Netflix series Team Toon.{{cite web |url=http://abc.go.com/shows/american-housewife/cast/taylor-otto |title= Taylor Otto – Played by Meg Donnelly |publisher=ABC |access-date=January 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007045349/http://abc.go.com/shows/american-housewife/cast/taylor-otto|archive-date=October 7, 2016}} She was the American face of Clean and Clear's 2015 Awkward to Awesome campaign, and was the understudy for the role of Louisa von Trapp in the NBC television special The Sound of Music Live!.{{Cite news|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/von-trapp-children-from-the-sound-of-music-live-reunite-for-one-night-only-nyc-concert-com-336644|title=Von Trapp Children from The Sound of Music Live! Reunite for One-Night-Only NYC Concert|work=Playbill|access-date=January 14, 2021|archive-date=June 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617061117/https://www.playbill.com/article/von-trapp-children-from-the-sound-of-music-live-reunite-for-one-night-only-nyc-concert-com-336644|url-status=live}} She starred in the 2015 Nickelodeon pilot Future Shock, but it was not sold.{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2014 |title=Nickelodeon Greenlights Two New Live-Action Comedy Pilots "The Dunes Club" and "Future Shock" |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2014/11/18/nickelodeon-greenlights-two-new-live-action-comedy-pilots-the-dunes-club-and-future-shock-724513/20141118nickelodeon01/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629090748/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2014/11/18/nickelodeon-greenlights-two-new-live-action-comedy-pilots-the-dunes-club-and-future-shock-724513/20141118nickelodeon01/ |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |access-date=2018-06-04 |website=The Futon Critic}}
Donnelly played the starring role of Taylor Otto in the ABC sitcom American Housewife from 2016 to 2021.{{cite web|author=Denise Petski|url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/american-housewife-meg-donnelly-cast-abc-comedy-recasting-1201793752/|title=Meg Donnelly Added To New ABC Comedy In Recasting|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 27, 2016|access-date=January 7, 2017|archive-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728160305/https://deadline.com/2016/07/american-housewife-meg-donnelly-cast-abc-comedy-recasting-1201793752/}} She replaced actress Johnny Sequoyah who played the character in the series' pilot.{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2016-07-27 |title='American Housewife': Meg Donnelly Added To New ABC Comedy In Recasting |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/american-housewife-meg-donnelly-cast-abc-comedy-recasting-1201793752/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} Critics cited this as Donnelly's breakout role.{{Cite web |last=Swantek |first=Sam |date=2016-10-26 |title=Meg Donnelly Lands Breakout Role in American Housewife |url=https://parade.com/517145/sks14c/meg-donnelly-lands-breakout-role-in-american-housewife/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Parade |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=King |first=Scott |title=How Disney Star Meg Donnelly Is Staying Grounded As She Takes Off |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottking/2022/07/18/how-disney-star-meg-donnelly-is-staying-grounded-as-she-takes-off/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Forbes |language=en}} She then appeared in the independent film The Broken Ones, which premiered at the 2017 SOHO International Film Festival.{{cite web |author=Sam Swantek |date=October 26, 2016 |title=Meg Donnelly Lands Breakout Role in American Housewife |url=https://parade.com/517145/sks14c/meg-donnelly-lands-breakout-role-in-american-housewife/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027121555/https://parade.com/517145/sks14c/meg-donnelly-lands-breakout-role-in-american-housewife/ |archive-date=October 27, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=Parade magazine}}{{cite web |date=November 16, 2016 |title=Conversations: Meg Donnelly |url=http://localwolves.com/stories/conversations-meg-donnelly/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213011513/http://localwolves.com/stories/conversations-meg-donnelly/ |archive-date=December 13, 2016 |website=localwolves.com}}
Donnelly stars as Addison in the Disney Channel Original Movie musical Zombies, which premiered on February 16, 2018.{{cite web |author=Greg Evans |url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/zombies-disney-channel-meg-donnelly-milo-manheim-1202090172/ |title=Production Begins On Disney Channel's 'Zombies' For 2018 Premiere |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 11, 2017 |accessdate=December 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512193024/https://deadline.com/2017/05/zombies-disney-channel-meg-donnelly-milo-manheim-1202090172/|archive-date=May 12, 2017}}{{cite web |author=Kirsten Chuba |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/disney-channel-zombies-movie-1202654587/ |title=TV News Roundup: Disney Sets Premiere Date for 'Zombies' Original Movie |work=Variety |date=January 5, 2018 |access-date=January 7, 2018|archive-date=January 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106005921/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/disney-channel-zombies-movie-1202654587/}} She then released her debut single, "Smile," on August 5, 2018.{{Citation |title=Smile - Single by Meg Donnelly |date=August 5, 2018 |work=iTunes |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/smile-single/1422511356 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403010239/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/smile-single/1422511356 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2019}}{{Cite news |title=iPlay America Presents Meg Donnelly |url=https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/2020/02/11/iplay-america-presents-meg-donnelly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620192657/https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/2020/02/11/iplay-america-presents-meg-donnelly/ |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |access-date=January 14, 2021 |work=New Jersey Stage}} On March 1, 2019, she released her second single, "Digital Love".{{Cite web |title=Digital Love by Meg Donnelly is Conor's Next Big Thing this week! |url=https://www.funkidslive.com/on-air/1092948/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121024003/https://www.funkidslive.com/on-air/1092948/ |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=January 14, 2021 |website=Fun Kids|date=May 15, 2019 }} She reprises the role of Addison in the sequels Zombies 2,{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/disneys-zombies-2-sequel-heads-into-production-with-returning-stars-director-writers-1202553258/|title=Disney's 'Zombies 2' Sequel Heads Into Production With Returning Stars, Director, Writers|website=Deadline Hollywood|author=Bruce Haring|date=February 11, 2019|access-date=February 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211185932/https://deadline.com/2019/02/disneys-zombies-2-sequel-heads-into-production-with-returning-stars-director-writers-1202553258/|archive-date=February 11, 2019}} which premiered on Disney Channel on February 14, 2020; Zombies 3, which was released in July and August 2022 on Disney+ and Disney Channel, respectively;{{Cite magazine|author=Joey Nolfi|date=May 20, 2022|url=https://ew.com/movies/rupaul-disney-zombies-3-movie-release-date/|title=RuPaul joins Disney's Zombies 3 movie as the mother of all alien spaceships|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 21, 2022}} and the upcoming sequel Zombies 4, which was greenlit in February 2024 with Donnelly set to executive produce.{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2024-02-10 |title='Zombies 4' Greenlit at Disney Branded Television |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/zombies-4-disney-branded-television-1235906755/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Campione |first=Katie |date=2024-02-10 |title='Zombies 4': Disney Channel Franchise Expands With Another Sequel Film & New Animated Series |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/zombies-4-disney-channel-animated-series-meg-donnelly-milo-manheim-1235821128/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Deadline}}{{Cite web |last=Manfredi |first=Lucas |date=2024-02-10 |title=Meg Donnelly, Milo Manheim to Star in Disney's 'Zombies 4' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/zombies-4-milo-manheim-meg-donnelly-disney/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}
In 2022, Donnelly was cast as Mary Campbell, the future mother of Dean and Sam Winchester, in the Supernatural spin-off The Winchesters,{{Cite web|author=Selome Hailu|date=March 21, 2022|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/the-winchesters-supernatural-meg-donnelly-drake-rodger-1235210689/|title='Supernatural' Prequel Pilot 'The Winchesters' Casts Meg Donnelly, Drake Rodger as Young Mary and John|website=Variety|access-date=March 22, 2022|archive-date=September 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924110435/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/the-winchesters-supernatural-meg-donnelly-drake-rodger-1235210689/|url-status=live}} which was picked up to series by The CW in May and cancelled after one season.{{Cite web |author=Lauren Piester |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Supernatural Prequel The Winchesters Picked Up to Series at The CW |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-prequel-the-winchesters-picked-up-to-series-at-the-cw/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521031059/https://www.tvguide.com/news/supernatural-prequel-the-winchesters-picked-up-to-series-at-the-cw/ |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |website=TV Guide}}{{cite magazine |last=Highfill |first=Samantha |title=The Winchesters canceled at the CW after 1 season |url=https://ew.com/tv/the-winchesters-canceled-cw/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 11, 2023 |access-date=August 9, 2023}} Also in 2022, she played the recurring role of Val in the Disney+ original series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Zach |date=January 18, 2022 |title=High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season Three Casts Corbin Bleu, Meg Donnelly, and More! |url=https://d23.com/high-school-musical-the-musical-the-series-season-three-casts-corbin-bleu-meg-donnelly-and-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118190650/https://d23.com/high-school-musical-the-musical-the-series-season-three-casts-corbin-bleu-meg-donnelly-and-more/ |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=January 18, 2022 |website=D23}} In 2023, she voiced Kara Zor-El / Supergirl in the film Legion of Super-Heroes, a role she reprised the following year in the Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths trilogy.{{cite web |date=October 20, 2022 |title=DC's Next Animated Movie Confirms 16 Heroes Appearing (Batman, Flash & More) |url=https://thedirect.com/article/dc-animated-movie-next-batman-flash |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028171951/https://thedirect.com/article/dc-animated-movie-next-batman-flash |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Vejvoda |first=Jim |date=2023-12-04 |title=Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One: Exclusive Clip and Voice Cast Reveal |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/justice-league-crisis-on-infinite-earths-part-one-cast-plot-release-date-clip |website=IGN |language=en-US}} Donnelly subsequently was among the finalists to play Supergirl in the live action film Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, though the part was ultimately given to Milly Alcock.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=January 24, 2024 |access-date= April 13, 2025 |title=The Search for Supergirl: Milly Alcock, Meg Donnelly Screen Test in Atlanta (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/supergirl-casting-milly-alcock-meg-donnelly-1235806025/ |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Behbakht |first=Andy |date=July 18, 2024 |access-date= April 13, 2025 |title=Supergirl Actor Confirms Failed DCU Reboot Audition & Reveals Dream DC Recasting |url=https://screenrant.com/dcu-supergirl-audition-meg-donnelly-casting/ |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}
Filmography
= Film =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| scope="row"| 2017
| The Broken Ones | Lilly Kelly |
| scope="row"| 2023 |
| scope="row" | 2024
| Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths | Kara Zor-El / Supergirl | Voice role |
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2013
| Young Jacklyn | 1 episode |
| Team Toon
| Ash | Main role |
| scope="row"| 2015
| Future Shock | Annie | Unsold pilot |
| scope="row"| 2015–2016
| Various | 3 episodes |
| scope="row"| 2016–2021
| Taylor Otto | Main role |
| scope="row"| 2018
| Zombies | Addison Wells |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2020
| Addison Wells | Television film |
| Spider-Man
| Scream | Voice role; episode: "Maximum Venom" |
| scope="row"| 2020–2021
| Zombies: Addison's Monster Mystery | Addison Wells | Voice role |
| scope="row"| 2021
| Bunk'd | Priscilla Preston | Episode: "Frien'ds Forever" |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2022
| Addison Wells | Television film; also co-producer |
| High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
| Val | Recurring role |
| scope="row"| 2022–2023
| Main role |
| scope="row"| 2023–present
| Zombies: The Re-Animated Series | Addison Wells | Voice role |
| scope="row" | 2025
| Addison Wells | Voice role; episode: "Cheer Up Chibis" |
| scope="row"|TBA
| Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires | Addison Wells | Television film; also executive producer |
Personal life
In February 2024, Donnelly confirmed she was in a relationship with American actor and The Winchesters costar, Drake Rodger.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/supernatural-spinoff-stars-meg-donnelly-drake-rodger-dating-i-love-him-so-much-8599826|title=Supernatural Spinoff Stars Meg Donnelly and Drake Rodger Are Dating: 'I Love Him So Much'|work=People.com|first=Esme|last=Mazzeo|date=February 24, 2024|accessdate=October 13, 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|www.megdonnelly.com}}
- {{IMDb name|4883197}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Donnelly, Meg}}
Category:Actresses from New Jersey
Category:American television actresses
Category:American female models
Category:American female dancers
Category:People from Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey
Category:21st-century American musicians
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:American child actresses