Jessy Yates: Actor, Writer, Advocate Breaking Barriers in Entertainment
The world of television and film has long struggled with authentic representation of people with disabilities. Among the rising voices changing this narrative is Jessy Yates—an actor, writer, and advocate who continues to prove that talent, determination, and advocacy can shift entire industries. Known for her work with Netflix, PBS, the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, and her early theater experiences at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Jessy Yates embodies resilience and creativity. Her career reflects a blend of artistry and advocacy, ensuring that people with disabilities are represented both on screen and behind the scenes.
In this article, we explore her education, her professional journey with Netflix and PBS, her advocacy at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, her early work at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, and her appearances with 20th Century Studios. We also discuss Jessy Yates’s disability, her television credits, and an estimate of Jessy Yates’s age, presenting a holistic profile of this extraordinary figure.
Education and Early Career
New York University
Jessy Yates began her formal artistic training at New York University (NYU), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Drama and Acting between 2012 and 2016. Her time at NYU provided the foundational training in stagecraft, theatrical devising, and character work that would later support her diverse career. At NYU, Yates engaged deeply with acting theory, physical performance, and storytelling, building the confidence needed to enter professional spaces.
David Geffen School of Drama at Yale
Her next milestone was her acceptance into the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, one of the most prestigious training grounds for actors. From 2018 to 2022, she pursued her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting. At Yale, she not only honed her craft but also emerged as a leader in advocacy. She served as an Equity Diversity and Inclusion Representative in the school’s student government, was an active member of the Students with Disabilities Affinity Group (DEFY), and contributed to the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group.
Her academic journey was marked by history: Jessy Yates became the first wheelchair-using student to graduate from the Yale School of Drama’s acting program, a groundbreaking achievement that reflects both her talent and her determination. She was also the proud recipient of the inaugural Full Grant for Disabled Students from the Ruderman Foundation, underscoring her role as a trailblazer for disabled performers.
Jessy Yates at Netflix
In March 2024, Jessy Yates began her journey with Netflix as an actor. Her breakout role came in Pulse (2025), a medical drama series where she plays Harper Simms, a second-year emergency medicine resident who, like Yates herself, uses a wheelchair. This role is significant not only for her career but also for broader representation in television.
The character of Harper Simms showcases how disability is part of a person’s identity but does not define their entire professional or personal life. By portraying a competent, ambitious, and multidimensional medical professional, Jessy Yates challenges stereotypes that often confine actors with disabilities to narrowly defined roles.
Her work at Netflix symbolizes a cultural shift: audiences are increasingly exposed to narratives that embrace inclusion without sensationalizing disability.
Voice Work at PBS
Parallel to her live-action work, Jessy Yates also ventured into voice acting. In March 2023, she joined PBS as a Voice Over Artist, voicing a leading character in an upcoming animated series. While the release date remains pending, this opportunity highlights her versatility as an actor.
Voice work allows Yates to demonstrate that disability does not limit participation in any artistic medium. Her presence in a children’s program is especially meaningful, as it ensures that younger audiences are exposed to diverse voices and experiences early in their media consumption.
Advocacy at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation
Beyond acting, Jessy Yates has dedicated time and energy to disability advocacy. Between November 2023 and March 2024, she served as an Associate of Adult Projects and Community Engagement at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. In this role, she acted as a liaison between the disability advocacy community, the medical sector, and nonprofit organizations.
Her contributions included:
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Acting as a spokesperson in community events and digital content.
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Coordinating research projects with clinical and industry partners.
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Driving conversations that bridge advocacy, health, and the arts.
This experience reinforced her commitment to ensuring that disabled voices are not only represented in entertainment but also in policymaking, research, and community initiatives.
Early Theater Work: Williamstown Theatre Festival
In 2017, Jessy Yates performed as a Non-Equity Company Actor at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, a respected platform for emerging artists. This three-month residency allowed her to refine her stagecraft and explore theatrical devising. The festival experience connected her with diverse directors, actors, and theatermakers, helping her transition into professional networks.
Theater has remained central to her identity as a performer, grounding her in the discipline and collaborative spirit that continue to influence her screen and voice work.
Appearance with 20th Century Studios
Yates also has experience working with major television networks. In September 2017, she appeared on ABC’s Speechless (produced under 20th Century Studios at the time). The show was praised for its authentic portrayal of disability and inclusion, making it a fitting early credit for an actor committed to representation.
Her short appearance in Speechless was one of her earliest professional screen experiences, giving her national visibility and demonstrating her potential to take on more significant roles.
Jessy Yates’s Disability
Jessy Yates lives with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Importantly, she does not separate her disability from her identity as an artist; rather, she integrates it into her storytelling. She has said that her disability will always be part of her work because it is inseparable from her lived experience.
Her advocacy ensures that future generations of actors with disabilities will face fewer barriers. By succeeding in elite educational programs, major studios, and advocacy organizations, she sets a precedent for authentic casting and workplace inclusivity.
TV Shows with Jessy Yates
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Netflix’s Pulse (2025) – Role: Harper Simms, a doctor-in-training.
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PBS Animated Series (2025, release pending) – Voice of a leading character.
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ABC’s Speechless (2017) – Guest appearance.
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Other Appearances – Stage and festival performances, including Williamstown Theatre Festival.
These credits demonstrate her range across live-action drama, children’s programming, and theater.
Estimated Age of Jessy Yates
While Jessy Yates has not publicly disclosed her exact date of birth, we can estimate her age based on her academic and career timeline. She completed her undergraduate studies at NYU between 2012 and 2016, which suggests she was likely born in the early to mid-1990s. With her MFA completed in 2022, it is reasonable to estimate her current age in 2025 to be around 29 to 31 years old.
This positions her as a young but seasoned professional whose career is still ascending.
Conclusion
Jessy Yates is more than an actor; she is a force for change in the entertainment industry. Her career spans education at NYU and Yale, acting roles with Netflix, PBS, and ABC, and meaningful advocacy with the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. She continues to challenge stereotypes and expand the narrative possibilities for actors with disabilities.
By combining artistry, advocacy, and authenticity, Jessy Yates has become a role model for aspiring performers and a beacon of representation. Her journey proves that when barriers are broken, entire industries benefit from richer, more inclusive storytelling.
