Born in Danbury, Connecticut, to Gloria and Frank von Oy, Jenna attended Newtown High School and began her acting career as a child in regional stage productions and commercials.

[6] Von Oÿ made her television acting debut in 1986 in an episode of ABC Weekend Special, which was followed by guest roles on Tales from the Darkside and Kate & Allie.

[8] After the series ended, she attended film school at the University of Southern California and was an active member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority for two years before dropping out to return to acting.

[10] During the run of The Parkers, von Oÿ also provided the voice of Trinket St. Blaire in the animated series Pepper Ann.

In addition to television, von Oÿ has also appeared in the feature film Born on the Fourth of July (1989) opposite Tom Cruise.