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Jennifer Marshall is a Navy veteran and a passionate advocate for military veterans. She is known as the host of Mysteries Decoded on the CW (and is a licensed Private Investigator) as well as Max's mom on Netflix's Stranger Things. Her television credits also include NCIS, Reacher, and The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, among others.
Jennifer's path into entertainment was unique. At 17, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. She served nearly five years, stationed on San Nicolas Island and the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. During her service, she worked as an aircraft handler, in aviation logistics, served on the Ship's Security Defense Force Team, and the Repair Locker Fire Team. She also acted as a representative for the ship's Sexual Assault Victim Intervention program, supporting sailors affected by sexual trauma. While deployed on the Roosevelt in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, she earned the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist designation. Jennifer honorably separated as a Second Class Petty Officer after five years, receiving multiple awards including the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and Meritorious Unit Commendation.
After her military service, Jennifer graduated Magna Cum Laude from Virginia Wesleyan University with a double major in International Politics and Spanish, plus a History minor. She earned her graduate degree in Administration of Justice from American Military University with a 3.994 GPA.
A few years post-graduation, Jennifer relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television. She is a strong advocate for veterans, serving four years on the Veterans and Community Oversight and Engagement Board (VCOEB) at the federal level and on the Veterans Committee for California’s 38th State Assembly. She is also Executive Producer of veteran-focused mental health public service announcements through Make the Connection.
In 2019, Jennifer was honored as one of the "Hill Vets 2019" for excellence in television and film, alongside Adam Driver (USMC), and named one of Santa Clarita Valley's "40 Under Forty." In 2020, she returned to military service by commissioning into the California State Guard Army branch, working in Public Affairs. Later that year, after a metastatic cancer diagnosis, she stepped down to focus on treatment. After 14 months of challenging therapy, she overcame cancer but remains vigilant.
Jennifer is an active member of the American Legion and dedicates her time mentoring veterans pursuing careers in film and television. She volunteers as a state-certified firefighter/EMT and supports the award-winning, Congressionally recognized nonprofit Pin-Ups for Vets by raising funds for vital rehabilitation equipment for veterans. She firmly believes in the importance of volunteerism and giving back to the community.
