Jessica Pare’s (aka Megan Draper on Mad Men) Wiki Biography

Known for movies

Lost and Delirious (2001)
as Victoria 'Tori' Moller

Mad Men (2010-2015)
as Megan Draper / Megan Calvet

Brooklyn (2015)
as Miss Fortini

Wicker Park (2004)
as Rebecca

•  Jessica Pare, born on December 5, 1980, in Montreal, gained recognition through her roles in “Stardom” and “Lost and Delirious,” leading to a successful acting career in Canada and the U.S.
• Raised in a French-Canadian family, Jessica’s interest in acting was influenced by her parents. She attended Villa Maria Catholic High School and later Dawson College.
• Jessica’s acting career includes diverse roles in films and TV shows, notably in “Mad Men” as Megan Draper and in “SEAL Team.”
• She was married to Joseph Smith, with whom she has a son. She is also a musician, having learned to play the bass guitar for a film role.
• With a net worth of around $6 million as of 2024, Jessica maintains a presence on social media, specifically Instagram and Facebook, balancing her public and private life.

Who is Jessica Pare?

Jessica Pare, a Canadian actress and musician, was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on 5 December 5 1980. At 43 years old, she made her mark in the entertainment industry with her notable roles in the early 2000s. Her breakout performances in “Stardom” and “Lost and Delirious” garnered widespread attention. She continued to leave her mark with significant appearances in projects such as “Random Passage” and “Lives of the Saints.” Her portrayal in the latter was so exceptional that the entire show earned two Gemini Award nominations. Beyond her contributions to Canadian cinema and television, Jessica has also made impactful contributions to American productions with some of her finest and most critically acclaimed work.

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Driven & Dedicated ? Driven by a commitment to make things better, my stepmother inspired me to work towards positive change in my community and our environment. Seeing my kids already thinking about ways they, too, can contribute gives me hope. #CoolLikeMom What makes you cool like your mom, or one you know? Share it on Instagram or Facebook via a post or your story with the hashtag #CoolLikeMom @Reitmans and a donation of $0.50 will be made by Reitmans to the Canadian Women’s Foundation to help girl’s empowerment. Every like, comment or share on my post & yours will also generate a donation. #sponsored #mothersday

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Early Life and Ancestry: Growing Up in Quebec

Jessica was raised in a French-Canadian household, where intellectual pursuits were highly valued. Her father, Anthony Pare, served as the head of the Education department at McGill University, while her mother, Louise Mercier, established herself as a conference interpreter with a career spanning multiple decades. Growing up in the affluent neighborhood of Notre-Dame-de-Grace in Montreal, Jessica shared her upbringing with three older brothers. Her mother’s emphasis on bilingualism led Jessica to become proficient in both French and English from an early age.

The roots of Jessica’s passion for acting trace back to her upbringing, where both her parents played pivotal roles in nurturing her interest. Her mother and father were actively involved in the world of amateur productions and drama instruction. Jessica credits a significant moment with her father for igniting her interest in acting, recalling how rehearsing lines from “The Tempest” together sparked her fascination with the craft.

Jessica made her acting debut at the age of ten in an episode of “The Baby-Sitters Club.” Beyond her own achievements, Jessica hails from a lineage with its own share of prominence. Her great-grandfather, Alphonse Pare, achieved fame as an engineer, while her maternal lineage traces back to Elizabeth Griffith. This lady was an illustrious figure of the 18th century renowned for her talents as an essayist, writer, and actress.

Education and Acting as an Option

Jessica started attending Villa Maria, an esteemed Catholic high school for girls in Montreal, in 1995. It was during her final year there that she secured a part in a modest television film named “Bonanno: A Godfather’s Story.” The positive feedback from both her peers and critics alike sparked her consideration of acting as a viable career option. Following her graduation from Villa Maria, she entered Dawson College, intending to pursue their fine arts program. However, her attendance was sporadic as she devoted much of her time to studying drama at TheatreWorks concurrently. Eventually, she made the decision to leave college altogether in pursuit of an acting career, aspiring to establish her own identity in the industry.

Career Beginnings: TV Movies, Big Wolf on Campus, Stardom

Although Jessica’s initial experience with acting occurred at the age of 10, her significant breakthroughs came with roles in “Bonanno: A Godfather’s Story” and “Big Wolf on Campus,” where she tackled two distinct yet challenging acting styles. These performances paved the way for her portrayal of Tina Menzhal in “Stardom,” a narrative centered around a young woman inadvertently drawn into the world of supermodels, glamour, and extravagant parties.

Shortly thereafter, she featured in “En vacances” (“Holiday” in English), a 2000 French film revolving around a family reflecting on their Christmas predictions from a decade prior. Her performance in “Lost and Delirious” garnered widespread acclaim for its honesty and brilliance. Following two smaller roles in French productions, she took the lead in “Posers,” a 2003 film depicting the story of girls who opt to establish a gang.

In 2004, Jessica portrayed Nancy Eaton in “Deadly Friends.” During this period, she also explored photography, occasionally assisting photographers during automotive events and photoshoots.

Continued Success: Jack & Bobby, Satisfaction, Mad Men

Jessica is also well-recognized by fans for her appearance in 21 episodes of “Jack & Bobby,” a teen drama about two brothers who frequently quarrel as children. One of the boys eventually grows up to become America’s President. Following this, she delivered outstanding performances in “Brooklyn,” “Satisfaction,” and “The Trotsky.”

Nevertheless, her most significant career milestone came with her portrayal of Megan Draper in “Mad Men,” where she starred alongside John Hamm and Elisabeth Moss, featuring in a total of 49 episodes.

In more recent times, Jessica’s professional engagements have become less frequent; however, she maintains a consistent role as Mandy Ellis in “SEAL Team“, a series depicting the perilous top-secret missions undertaken by US Navy SEALs.

She is currently working on “The Bearded Girl,” a story about a bearded girl who is tired of being considered a ‘freak.’

Personal Life: Is Jessica Pare Married? Does She Have Any Children?

Jessica is presently not married and it’s not known if she’s in a relationship. She tied the knot with Joseph Smith, a writer and producer, in 2007, but they opted to separate in 2010. By mid-2012, Jessica was spotted holding hands with John Kastner, the vocalist of the renowned Canadian hardcore band, The Asexuals; she even made appearances alongside them in performances. On 19 March 2015, the couple celebrated the arrival of their first child, a son named Blues Anthony Paré Kastner.

During her teenage years, she attempted to secure a modeling position but was rejected on the basis of being deemed “too overweight.” Another intriguing detail about this gifted actress is her unwavering commitment to her role in “Suck” – she went to the extent of mastering the bass guitar for the part.

What is Jessica Pare’s Net Worth?

According to authoritative sources, Jessica Pare has a net worth of approximately $6 million, as of 2024, accumulated through appearances in a wide array of movies and TV shows, both in Canada and in the US. If she continues picking the right parts, we might see her wealth rise in the near future.

 

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Body Measurements: How Tall is Jessica Pare?

Jessica stands at a height of 5 feet 9 inches (175 centimeters) and weighs approximately 132 pounds (60 kilograms). Her body measurements are recorded as 35-25-35. She possesses captivating blue eyes and dark brown, nearly black hair.

Social Media Presence

Similar to many other actresses, Jessica recognizes the significance of social media for connecting with her fans. Nonetheless, she opts to maintain boundaries regarding her personal life online. As a result, she solely maintains profiles on Instagram and Facebook, boasting over 85,000 and 3,100 followers, respectively.