**Jena Malone** (born November 21, 1984) is an American actress known for her versatility and ability to portray complex characters. She began her career at a very young age, gaining notice in films like Robert Zemeckis's *Contact* (1997).

Her notoriety was solidified with the cult role of Gretchen Ross in *Donnie Darko* (2001), where she established herself as an interpreter of melancholic and atypical figures. She demonstrated her acting range in dark comedies like *Saved!* (2004) and in literary adaptations, playing the exuberant Lydia Bennet in Joe Wright's *Pride & Prejudice* (2005).

A turning point in her global visibility came with the role of Johanna Mason in *The Hunger Games* saga (from 2013), a sharp-edged and charismatic character. Malone is often chosen for roles of intense women, vulnerable but resilient, with a touch of eccentricity or rebelliousness, ranging from independent drama to blockbusters.