From working behind the scenes to becoming a sought-after face in vertical dramas, this actress opens up about her journey, film roots, and pursuit of darker roles.
Jessica Jacoby has grown up surrounded by film, but her career has taken shape in unexpected ways. From studying journalism to carving her path in the fast-growing world of vertical dramas, Jacoby has embraced both tradition and innovation in entertainment.
In recent interviews, she opened up about her background, her family’s influence, her experiences on-screen, and her thoughts on why vertical content is capturing audiences everywhere.
Jessica Jacoby Did Not Follow a Traditional Acting Path
Although Jacoby came from a film family, she initially pursued a different path. “I actually didn’t major in acting. I majored in journalism,” she revealed in a May 2025 interview with Vertical World Girl.
According to her LinkedIn, she studied journalism at Loyola Marymount University, where she was active in the Society of Professional Journalists and contributed to “The Los Angeles Loyolan.” Before that, she spent two years at Indiana University Bloomington focusing on cinematography and film production.
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After college, she worked behind the camera in New York as a production coordinator, assistant, and manager before returning to Los Angeles to focus fully on acting.
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Jessica Jacoby’s Family Legacy in the Film Industry
For Jacoby, storytelling is more than a profession. With relatives already established in the film industry, she views filmmaking as something that has always been part of her identity. “So, film’s kind of in my blood, and it’s always something I’ve wanted to do,” she shared.
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Her late grandfather, Dick Mingalone, was a cinematographer, actor, and camera operator, whose credits include “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” (1974), “Sea of Love” (1989), and “The Pelican Brief” (1993).
Meanwhile, her mother, Jennifer Pearlman, is a producer recognized for projects such as “Sunny Daze” (2019), “Oxygen” (1999), and “Mercy” (1995).
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Jacoby’s father, John Mingalone, built a career as a second unit director and assistant director, working on titles like “Deconstructing Harry” (1997) and “Celebrity” (1998).
In March 2025, Jacoby faced the devastating loss of her father, sharing a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. “I don’t know how to begin writing something like this, but I do know one thing for certain—he is finally at peace,” she said.
She remembered him not only as a mentor and filmmaker but also as a best friend, sharing cherished memories from childhood hikes and boardwalk adventures to lessons that shaped her as both an artist and a person.
She Now Thrives in the World of Vertical Dramas
Jacoby has found her breakout success in vertical dramas, embracing the creative opportunities the format offers. “The vertical world is growing and I think it’s here to stay for a while,” she said.
She noted how “insane” the traction and growth have been in such a short time, adding that it makes sense since everyone is on their phones and using social media. This constant attention, she said, is helping the genre reach wider audiences.
Within just a few months, Jacoby has played vastly different roles — a princess, a detective, a villainous fencer, and then a CEO. She pointed out that before verticals, actors rarely had the chance to take on such variety at such a fast pace.
Among her on-screen projects, one of her most memorable was the July 2024 mini series, “The Summer Situationship,” where she played Mia Matthews, the villain of the story known for her mischievous acts.
She said playing that character was “the most fun” she had. “She was such a deliciously nasty little troublemaker, and I loved every second of it. The cast and crew were incredible—it genuinely felt like a party every day on set,” she added.
She also starred in “Daddy December” as Holly Hart and “President’s Wedding Planner” as Darcy Sinclair, projects that solidified her presence in vertical storytelling.
Her work isn’t limited to short-form content. Back in January 2025, she took a major career step when she joined Paris Films as Sloan in “The Mail Lady 2” and “The Mail Lady 3.”
Jessica Jacoby on the Roles She Wants to Play Next
Even as she builds her résumé, Jacoby is already imagining the kinds of roles she hopes to take on next. “I would love to do a murder mystery vertical. And I would love to play the villain. I love playing — I secretly love playing the villain. The villain is so fun,” she shared.
She added that she would also enjoy playing a ditsy, carefree character who brings humor and energy to a story. But in her ideal murder mystery, the fun-loving role would come with a twist as her character would ultimately be revealed as the killer.
For Jacoby, the appeal lies in deception. She enjoys the challenge of pretending to be someone else, keeping audiences on edge, and delivering performances that surprise.