

The actress who gave a generation the hilariously blunt and loyal best friend in Tamara on the hit teen series Awkward.
Jillian Rose Reed stepped into the cultural spotlight as Tamara Kaplan, the scene-stealing best friend on MTV's Awkward. With her sharp delivery and unwavering loyalty, Reed turned what could have been a sidekick role into a fan favorite, perfectly capturing the specific blend of sarcasm and heart that defines teenage friendships. Her career began with small roles in television and film, but it was the seven-season run on Awkward that established her presence. Beyond the show, she has consistently worked in television, appearing in series like The Ranch and The Crew, showcasing a versatility that moves beyond her breakout comedic role. Reed's impact lies in creating a character that felt authentically, sometimes painfully, real to viewers navigating high school's social minefields.
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jillian was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
The world at every milestone
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Dolly the sheep cloned
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
She is a trained dancer and studied at the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy.
She voiced a character in the popular video game Minecraft: Story Mode.
She has a close friendship with her Awkward co-star Ashley Rickards.
“Sarcasm is just my way of showing I care.”