J.A. Steel was born Jacquelyn A. Ruffner on December 12, 1969 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA. After graduating high school she attended USC's School of Cinematic Arts as a freshman in the Filmic Writing Program. She is a writer, producer and director, known for The Third Society (2002), Salvation (2007), Denizen (2010) and Blood Fare (2012)
A motorcycle accident in 2000 left her with reduced mobility in her left arm.
A sled riding accident as a child left her with partial hearing loss in her left ear and partial paralysis to the left side of her face.
Graduated from USC in 1992 with a degree in Social
Science and Communications.
Attended 3 years of USC's Filmic Writing program
(1987-1990).
Became one of the first women in 1998 to train in the
martial art of Muay Thai in Thailand, training at the same camp as Parinaya Charoemphol "Nong Toom" of "Beautiful Boxer" fame.