Jemima Kirke

Jemima Kirke is an actress and artist best known for playing Jessa Johansson on HBO’s Girls. Born in London and raised in New York City, Kirke is the daughter of drummer Simon Kirke and vintage boutique owner Lorraine Kirke. She attended Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn and later earned a bachelor’s degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Kirke’s acting career began when childhood friend Lena Dunham asked her to appear in the indie film Tiny Furniture in 2010. The role led to her casting as Jessa on Girls, which aired from 2012 to 2017 and was produced by Judd Apatow.

Following Girls, Kirke has appeared on shows like Maniac, Sex Education, Conversations With Friends and films including Untogether (2018), All These Small Moments (2018) and Sylvie’s Love (2020). In addition to acting, she continues to exhibit her visual art and has directed a handful of music videos.

Kirke married lawyer Michael Mosberg in 2009. They welcomed a daughter, Rafaella, in 2010, and a son, Memphis, in 2012 before divorcing in 2017. She was later linked to musician Alex Cameron, but the two split in 2023.