Leah Jeffries
A young actress who broke barriers by landing the role of a beloved literary heroine, becoming a defining face for a new generation.
Born 2009 (age 17)·American actress·Birthday: September 25·Generation Z
Biography
Leah Jeffries stepped into the spotlight as a child on the high-drama set of 'Empire,' but it was her casting as Annabeth Chase that catapulted her into a different stratosphere of fame. The role, drawn from Rick Riordan's massively popular 'Percy Jackson' novels, came with intense scrutiny and unwarranted criticism from a subset of fans, which the author himself forcefully shut down in her defense. Jeffries met the moment with a poised professionalism that belied her years, delivering a performance that was both intellectually sharp and emotionally grounded. Her Annabeth redefined the character for a modern audience, earning industry recognition and, more importantly, the admiration of a new wave of young viewers who saw themselves in her. She transitioned from a promising talent to a symbol of representation and resilience in Hollywood's youth landscape.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Leah was born in 2009, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Leah Was Born
The biggest hits of 2009
#1 Movie
Avatar
Best Picture
The Hurt Locker
#1 TV Show
American Idol
Leah's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2009Born
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2014Started school
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2022Became a teenager
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2025Could drive
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 17 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won three NAACP Image Awards for her performance as Annabeth Chase in 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'.
- Earned a nomination for the Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Performer for the same role.
- Was personally championed by author Rick Riordan against unfair criticism regarding her casting, highlighting her suitability for the part.
Did You Know?
She made her feature film debut alongside Idris Elba in the 2022 survival thriller 'Beast'.
Her middle name, Sava, is also her mother's maiden name.
She is the youngest of four siblings in her family.
“I just want to show girls they can be smart and strong, like Annabeth.”
