Gillian Jacobs

Biography

Gillian Jacobs, born on October 19, 1982, is a prominent American actress celebrated for her portrayal of Britta Perry in the acclaimed NBC comedy series Community.

Originally hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jacobs grew up in the suburb of Mt. Lebanon. She is the daughter of Martina Magenau Jacobs, who held a position as the director of alumni relations at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College, and William F. Jacobs Jr., an investment banker. With a rich heritage that includes French, German, Irish, and Scottish roots, Jacobs' family has a historical connection to the Jackson Koehler Eagle Brewery, founded in 1847 in Erie, Pennsylvania, where her grandfather, John Martin Magenau Jr., served as President and CEO until its closure in 1978.

Jacobs' passion for acting ignited at the young age of eight, leading her to participate in acting classes at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. She honed her craft with the Pittsburgh Public Theater, where she frequently competed in the Shakespeare Monologue Contest and earned the role of Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream. After completing her education at Mt. Lebanon High School in 2000, Jacobs relocated to New York City to attend the prestigious Juilliard School, graduating from its Drama Division in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree.