Jackson George was born in West Orange, New Jersey. He is the son to now divorced parents Kristi Anderson Ornstein, an independent film producer and Michael Ornstein, a sports marketing agent. Grandfather George Anderson was the Head Trainer for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders for 34 years. He moved to the Los Angeles suburb of Agoura, California when he was a year old. He is of German, English and Spanish descent. After becoming involved in the high school theater department, Jackson became interested in acting. He made his theater debut in a Jane Anderson production of, "Defying Gravity" (2011) taking on the role of CB originated by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. His senior year he was cast as Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors" (2014) directed by Amanda Tepe. He credits his role as Seymour as life changing. A big anti-bullying advocate he speaks out about his own personal experiences and how they have shaped him into the person he is today. He attended AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts, where he received his B.F.A. degree in Acting.