Jennifer L. Marshall — Acting | Biography, Movies & Career

Biography

Jennifer Marshall is a proud Navy veteran and vocal advocate for the military veteran community. You may know her as the host of Mysteries Decoded on the CW (yes, she really is a licensed Private Investigator), or as Max's mom on Netflix's hit, Stranger Things. Other shows she's appeared on include NCIS, Hawaii Five-0, and Nickelodeon's Game Shakers, to name a few.

Jennifer's entrance into the entertainment business was unconventional. At 17, she joined the United States Navy and was shipped off to boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. She spent nearly five years in the Navy and was stationed on San Nicolas Island and later, on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. While in the military, she worked as an aircraft handler, in aviation logistics, was a member of the Ship's Security Defense Force Team as well as the Repair Locker Fire Team. She also worked as a representative for the ship's Sexual Assault Victim Intervention program, advocating for sailors who had experienced trauma resulting from rape or sexual assault. During her tour on the Roosevelt, she deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and also earned her Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist designation. Jennifer separated honorably from the service as a Second Class Petty Officer after serving five years and earning the following awards: Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, National Defense Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation (among others).

Following her service, Jennifer graduated Magna Cum Laude from Virginia Wesleyan University with a double major in International Politics and Spanish and a minor in History. Jennifer received her graduate degree from American Military University in Administration of Justice, graduating with a 3.994 GPA. A few years after graduation, she moved to Los Angeles to seek out a career in television and film. She is an outspoken advocate on veteran issues and currently serves on the Veterans and Community Oversight and Engagement Board (VCOEB) on a Federal level and on the Veterans Committee for the 38th State Assembly in California. Jennifer is also the Executive Producer for veteran-centered mental health public service announcements through Make the Connection. In 2020, Jennifer returned to military service by receiving her commission in the California State Guard on the Army side serving in the Public Affairs arena.

In 2019, Jennifer was recognized as one of the "Hill Vets 2019" for excellence in television and film, alongside Adam Driver (USMC) as well as one of Santa Clarita Valley's "40 Under Forty." Jennifer is a proud member of the American Legion and volunteers in her community by mentoring veterans looking to enter film and television, delivering food to homebound seniors through the local senior center and through raising funds for the award winning and Congressionally recognized non-profit Pin-Ups for Vets, to donate much needed rehab equipment for our nation's veterans. Jennifer believes in the power of volunteerism and giving back to the community.