Jessica Stroup

Jessica Stroup (born October 23, 1986 ) is an American former actress, known for her roles as Silver on 90210 (2008–2013), Max Hardy on The Following (2014–2015) and Joy Meachum on Iron Fist (2017–2018), which is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). She is regarded as a scream queen for starring in the horror films Vampire Bats, Left in Darkness (2006), The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007), Prom Night (2008) and Homecoming (2009).

Early life Stroup was born to Judith and Don Stroup, a senior vice president at MUFG Union Bank. She spent her childhood in Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated from Providence High School in 2004.

Career Stroup's first acting role was a guest appearance on a 2005 episode of Unfabulous. Stroup has since appeared in a number of other TV shows, such as Grey's Anatomy, October Road, and True Blood. In 2007, Stroup appeared in 4 episodes of Reaper, in which she played the protagonist's ex-girlfriend. She appeared in a number of small independent movie productions, such as Left in Darkness, Pray for Morning, Vampire Bats.

In March 2007, Stroup starred as the female lead in The Hills Have Eyes 2. Stroup played the role of a US Army National Guard soldier named Amber who fights for survival with her peers against a group of mutant people. The film was a fast-forward sequel to The Hills Have Eyes, a remake of the 1977 movie of the same name. Despite negative reviews from critics the film went on to gross over $67 million worldwide. That same year Stroup had a supporting role in This Christmas.

In April 2008, Stroup was cast as a series regular on 90210, a reboot of the Golden Globe Award-nominated series Beverly Hills, 90210. Stroup played the role of high school student Erin Silver, the younger sister of David Silver and Kelly Taylor from Beverly Hills, 90210. The pilot premiered on September 2, 2008, to a high 4.65 million viewers despite mixed reviews from critics. In 2010 Stroup was awarded the "Sparkling Performance" award at the Young Hollywood Awards.

Also in April 2008, Stroup played the role of Claire in the film remake Prom Night. In December 2007, MTV.com announced that Stroup was cast in another horror film titled Homecoming, which follows a young woman being kidnapped by her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend. Despite the film completing production in February 2008, it was not released until July 2009 for a limited release in selected cinemas. In 2008, Stroup played Rachel in the ensemble film The Informers.

In 2011, Stroup guest-appeared on Family Guy, in which she voiced a number of characters in two episodes. Stroup reunited with Seth MacFarlane in his directorial debut Ted, in which she played Tracy, a work friend of Lori (played by Mila Kunis).

On August 20, 2013, it was announced that Stroup would join The Following in season 2 as a series regular. Her character, Max, is "the niece of Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon). She’s an NYPD cop, currently working in the Intel Division. Max reconnects with Ryan and she becomes a valuable ally."

In March 2017, she joined the cast of Iron Fist as Joy Meachum.

She has retired as an actress in 2019.

Personal life Stroup lives in Los Angeles. She married businessman Neil Hutchinson in 2022.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2005 Vampire Bats Eden Television film 2006 Pray for Morning Ashley Left in Darkness Justine Direct-to-video School for Scoundrels Eli's wife Broken Sara 2007 Amber "Barbie" Johnson This Christmas Sandi Whitfield Structure H Telepathic Allie Short film 2008 Prom Night Claire Davis Rachel 2009 Homecoming Elizabeth Mitchum 2012 Ted Tracy 2016 Jack Reacher: Never Go Back Lt. Sullivan

Television Year Title Role Notes 2005 Unfabulous Fredericka Episode: "The Road Trip" 2006 Southern Comfort Lindy Unsold Fox pilot Girlfriends Riley Episode: "Oh, Hell Yes: The Seminar" Zoey 101 Girl Episode: "Lola Likes Chase" 2007 Grey's Anatomy Jillian "Jilly" Miller Episode: "Great Expectations" 2007–2008 Reaper Cady Hansen 4 episodes 2007 October Road Taylor Episode: "Once Around the Block" 2008–2013 90210 Erin Silver Main cast; 114 episodes 2008 True Blood Sorority girl Kelly Episode: "Strange Love" 2011 Family Guy Crowd member (voice)Denise (voice) 2 episodes 2014–2015 The Following Max Hardy Main cast; 28 episodes 2017 You're the Worst Young Faye 2 episodes 2017–2018 Iron Fist Joy Meachum Main cast; 23 episodes 2019 Heart of Life Alexandra Reid TV movie (final role)