About Kijsa

Kijsa Gifford is an actor, entrepreneur, and multi award-winning athlete. Born and raised in Evansville, Wisconsin, Kijsa now resides in Los Angeles. With her formative years dedicated to intensive training in gymnastics, volleyball, lacrosse, and collegiate pole vaulting, Kijsa’s next adventure is set as a D1 Pole Vaulter for the University of South Florida commencing her competitive season in 2025.

In an effort to navigate both her budding acting career and athletic pursuits, Kijsa has chosen to pursue her college education virtually. And with her extensive athletic background, Kijsa is equipped to easily tackle a wide range of action roles as well as her other genres of interest, which include drama, comedy, and rom-coms.

Kijsa's unique family connection adds to her narrative in that she shares a distant cousinship with actress Marilyn Monroe through her biological father, Charles Stanley Gifford. And much like her iconic relative, Kijsa possesses a magnetic blend of natural charisma and charm, adding a distinctive quality to her personality. In honor of her connection to Monroe, Kijsa has aptly named her production company Norma Jean Entertainment.

Though Kijsa’s acting journey began at age 4, it took a backseat to her athletic endeavors for much of her childhood. Now ready to fully take on the pursuit, Kijsa is embracing her passion for acting. She recently wrapped filming a feature film for the Lifetime Channel, showcasing her versatility and commitment to her craft. She will also make her mark in the upcoming short films “The Coffee Shop” and "The Time is Now" and is slated for numerous lead roles in feature films set for production in 2024, including "Myra’s Last Hope."