My Favorite Gen Z Actors and Actresses
My favorite actors and actresses born between 1995 and 2012.
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- Actor
- Soundtrack
Sean Giambrone portrays youngest son "Adam Goldberg" on ABC's comedy series, The Goldbergs (2013), the younger version of the show's creator, Adam F. Goldberg. He can also be seen in the co-lead role as "Ron Stoppable" in Disney's new live-action Kim Possible (2019) movie. Giambrone is an accomplished voice-over with appearances in The Emoji Movie (2017), as well as Disney's Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) and The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019). Giambrone is also a series regular on Cartoon Network's Clarence (2013) and Hulu's Solar Opposites (2020), and makes regular appearances on Disney's Big Hero 6: The Series (2017).
Giambrone began his acting career at the age of 9 and starred in various television commercials, including those for "McDonald's" and "Friendly's" Restaurants. He gained particular attention in the nationwide campaign for "Sea World", even making an appearance in a spoof on "The Tonight Show", and also appeared as "Afro Boy" in the film, I Heart Shakey (2012).
Born in St. Joseph, Michigan, and raised in the Chicago area suburb of Park Ridge, Illinois. Giambrone is a big fan of the Michigan Wolverines. He loves working on his artwork and playing either soccer or basketball. He loves films and enjoys watching his favorite actors, Will Smith, Robert Downey Jr. and the late Heath Ledger. Giambrone has moved to Los Angeles with his parents, Vonda and David, as well as older brother, Luke.- Music Artist
- Actress
- Composer
Willow Smith was born on 31 October 2000 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is a music artist and actress, known for I Am Legend (2007), Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) and Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008).- Actress
- Music Department
- Composer
Maya Ray Thurman Hawke (born July 8, 1998) is an American actress and model. She is the daughter of actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. She made her acting debut as Jo March in the 2017 BBC adaptation of Little Women (2017) and starred as Robin in the Netflix series Stranger Things (2016) since its third season.
Hawke was born on July 8, 1998, in New York City, the elder of her parents' two children together. Her parents met on the set of Gattaca (1997), married in May 1998, and divorced in 2005. Hawke's brother was born in 2002. She also has two half-sisters (born in 2008 and 2011) by her father's second wife, Ryan Shawhughes. She has another half-sister (born in 2012) from her mother's ex-fiancée, financier Arpad Busson.
On her father's side, Hawke is a great-great-grandniece of playwright Tennessee Williams. On her mother's side, she is a granddaughter of Buddhist scholar Robert A. F. Thurman and model Nena von Schlebrügge. Schlebrügge was previously married to Dr. Timothy Leary. Maya's grandmother, Birgit Holmquist, was also a model, having posed for Axel Ebbe's statue Famntaget, in Smygehuk in Sweden.
Hawke has dyslexia, which resulted in her changing schools frequently during her primary education before she was finally enrolled at Saint Ann's School, a private school in Brooklyn, New York that emphasizes artistic creativity and does not grade work. The artistic environment eventually led her to acting. Hawke also took part in summer studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and the renowned Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She attended the performing arts school Juilliard for one year before being forced to drop out after accepting her role in Little Women.
Like both her mother and grandmother, Hawke modeled for Vogue at the start of her career. She was also chosen as the face of the British fashion retailer AllSaints's 2016/2017 collection. In 2017, she starred as one of several faces in a video campaign for Calvin Klein's underwear range, directed by Sofia Coppola.- Actress
- Producer
- Executive
Millie Bobby Brown (born 19 February 2004) is an English actress and model. She rose to prominence for her role as Eleven in the Netflix science fiction drama series Stranger Things (2016), for which she earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at age 13. She is also the youngest person ever to feature on TIME 100 list.
Millie was born in Marbella, Andalusia, Spain, the third of four children of English parents, Kelly and Robert Brown. The family moved to Bournemouth, Dorset, when Brown was around four years old, and then to Orlando, Florida, four years later. Here, Millie went to acting workshops to pass time on a Saturday, and it was there that a top Hollywood talent scout called and told Millie's parents that "she has instincts you cannot teach." She advised Millie's parents that she could "mix it with the best kids in Hollywood." They packed up and drove from Orlando to Los Angeles, and within a week, Millie was meeting with the town's top children's talent agencies. She was offered representation by all the agents that she met. Within three months of being in Hollywood, Millie was cast as young Alice in ABC's fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (2013), a spin-off of Once Upon a Time (2011).
In November 2013, after just one self-taped audition, and without meeting the producers/directors, Millie was offered the role of Madison O'Donnell in BBC America paranormal drama-thriller series Intruders (2014). She then made guest appearances in the CBS police procedural drama NCIS (2003), the ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009), and the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy (2005). In 2016, Brown played Eleven in the Netflix science fiction drama series Stranger Things. Her portrayal received critical acclaim and she was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series with her co-stars, and won the 43rd Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series. In November 2016, Brown starred in the music video for Sigma and Birdy's single "Find Me". Since November 2016, she has appeared in commercial advertisements for Citigroup. In January 2017, she made her modeling debut in Calvin Klein's By Appointment campaign. The following month, she was signed to the agency IMG Models. Brown made her feature film debut in the Godzilla sequel, Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019). In January 2018, Brown was cast to star and produce the film adaptation of the Enola Holmes Mysteries book.
On 20 April, 2018, Brown became the youngest person ever to be included on Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people.
She resides in London and Atlanta, Georgia.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, actor Finn Wolfhard stars as Mike Wheeler in the critically acclaimed Netflix Original Series Stranger Things (2016). The hit series has received various accolades, including a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series; two MTV Movie & TV Awards for Show of the Year; an AFI award for TV Program of the Year; and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama Television Series. To date, the world-famous series has received 30 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including two for Outstanding Drama Series.
His first role was in the 2013 independent film Aftermath. After appearing in more independent films such as The Resurrection, Wolfhard moved into roles on television shows The 100 (2014) and Supernatural.
In September 2017, Wolfhard moved to the silver screen, playing the lead role of Ritchie Tozier in the film adaptation of the Stephen King acclaimed novel It (2017). Fans of the novel will remember Wolfhard's role as Trashmouth, part of the Losers Club. The film premiered to critical acclaim, breaking opening weekend box office records in its debut and going on to become the highest grossing horror movie ever. Wolfhard, along with his cast, received the Best On-Screen Team award for "IT" at the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Wolfhard also starred in Dog Days (2018) alongside Vanessa Hudgens and Nina Dobrev. He can also be heard in the Netflix animated series "Carmen Sandiego," which released its second season in October 2019. Wolfhard reprises his role of Richie Tozier in New Line's blockbuster sequel It Chapter Two (2019).
In May 2019, Wolfhard became the new face of Yves Saint Laurent's Fall/Winter 2019 Campaign. Wolfhard starred as Miles in Amblin's haunted house horror film The Turning (2020) opposite Mackenzie Davis and Brooklynn Prince. Wolfhard will star alongside Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon and McKenna Grace in Sony Pictures' highly anticipated Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), a new chapter in the "Ghostbusters" universe, from director Jason Reitman. Wolfhard stars alongside Oscar winning actress Julianne Moore in the comedy-drama feature When You Finish Saving the World (2022), written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg and produced by Emma Stone. The mother-son story is inspired by Eisenberg's upcoming Audible Original of the same name, which is debuting in 2020. Wolfhard is also set to star as a lead voice over in the upcoming animated series, "NEW-GEN," based on the comic series distributed by Marvel and created by Chris Matonti, J.D. Matonti, and Julia Coppola.
He co-starred in Warner Bros & Amazon Studios' "The Goldfinch," an adaptation of Donna Tartt's Pulitzer Prize winning & New York Times best-selling novel. Wolfhard played the role of Young Boris alongside an all-star cast including Ansel Elgort, Nicole Kidman, Sarah Paulson and Jeffrey Wright. Lastly, he voiced the character Pugsley Addams in MGM's The Addams Family (2019) animated film. He can also be heard in Netflix's animated series "Carmen Sandiego," which released its second season in October 2019.
In addition to acting, Wolfhard has a passion for music and formed a garage-rock band called Calpurnia. Calpurnia recorded their debut EP which was released in June 2018. The band's first single "City Boy" debuted at No. 23 on Billboard's Alternative Digital Song Chart and hit No. 1 on Spotify's Global Viral 50 playlist. During the bands three-year run, Calpurnia toured across North America and Europe.
In the Fall of 2019, Wolfhard and drummer Malcolm Craig formed The Aubreys. In March 2020, The Aubreys released their first official EP entitled "Soda & Pie." Wolfhard also used his growing platform to host an event and raise funds for Sweet Relief, an organization that helps musicians in need.- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Camera and Electrical Department
Caleb McLaughlin is known for his role as Lucas Sinclair on the hit Netflix Original series, Stranger Things. However, Caleb has worked on several television shows which include: ABC Forever, CBS Unforgettable, NBC Law & Order SVU, HBO Miniseries Show Me a Hero, ABC 20/20 What Would You Do?, HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and CBS Blue Bloods starring Tom Selleck. Caleb can be seen as Jay-Jay on NBC's Shades of Blue starring Jennifer Lopez. Caleb also starred in the BET biopic mini-series on the New Edition Story as Ricky bell.
Caleb McLaughlin is a multi-talented, actor, singer and dancer- trained in ballet, tap, and jazz. Caleb made his Broadway debut as Young Simba in the Lion King on Broadway, 2012-2014. Caleb performed in the Off-Broadway show, Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek, written and Directed by Athol Fugard, where he received incredible reviews and praise for his role as Bokkie Caleb performed as Alex in the Kurt Weil Opera, Lost in the Stars with the Washington National Opera at Kennedy Center, Washington, DC and the Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown.
Caleb is a well- balanced kid and a true humanitarian. He loves God, his family and appreciates all those who support him on this journey.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Noah can be seen in a central role on season 2 of the Award-winning Netflix series "Stranger Things" where he portrays Will Byers opposite Winona Ryder. The series was nominated for various awards in 2016 and 2017, including a Golden Globe for Best Drama Television Series, a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (winner) and an MTV Movie & TV Award for Show of the Year (winner). He is also an honoree of Variety's Youth Impact Award.
Noah will next be seen as the lead of "Abe", an indie drama that tells the story of Abraham, a 12 year old boy with a passion for cooking who has never known a family dinner without arguments. Directed by Fernando Grostein Andrade, the film is in production in New York.
Schnapp's additional film credits include Steven Spielberg's Oscar winning Cold War thriller, "Bridge of Spies", as well as the indie feature "We Only Know So Much", based on the Elizabeth Crane novel. In addition, Noah also participated in the Sundance Director's Lab, where he shot the lead role of 'Henry' in director Brent Green's feature, "First Night on Earth." Most notably, Noah voiced the role of the one and only 'Charlie Brown' in the Fox feature film "Peanuts", director Steve Martino's new take on Charles Schulz's classic series.- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Gaetano John "Gaten" Matarazzo III (born September 8, 2002) is an Italian-American actor. He began his career on the Broadway stage as Benjamin in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert & as Gavroche in Les Misérables. He stars as Dustin Henderson in the Netflix science-fiction drama series, Stranger Things (2016).
Matarazzo was born in New London, Connecticut & raised in Tuckerton, New Jersey. He has cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a trait he shares with his Stranger Things character. He uses dentures as a result of his condition, and uses his fame to raise awareness about it.
Matarazzo uses his platform to raise awareness of CCD and fundraise for CCD Smiles, an organization that helps cover costs of oral surgeries for those with cleidocranial dysostosis. Matarazzo has also started a line of T-shirts whose proceeds will go to CCD Smiles. On his social media sites, Matarazzo actively notifies his followers of how to donate to CCD Smiles and different events he will participate in. Recently, his sister also started a Facebook campaign to raise money for the organization.
Since 2017, Matarazzo has served as spokesman for Verizon FiOS.- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Hayden Summeral was born on April 4, 2005 to Tisha and Jimmy Summerall in Dallas, Texas. He has three older brothers named: Dylan, Jimmy, and Hunter. He resides in Los Angeles, California with his parents and his brothers. He has over 2.7 million followers on Instagram and over 950,000 subscribers on YouTube. He collaborated with Annie LebLanc on the cover of an Alex & Sierra's song "Little do you Know." The music video currently has 43 million views on YouTube.
In 2018 he starred in the feature film "Next Level" with friends Lauren Orlando & Emily Skinner. He released his debut single in 2018 called "Smiles for you" that peaked at #7 on the iTunes Pop Chart. He has also starred in the Film "Chicken Girls" as "TK".- Emily Skinner grew up in Southern California and now calls LA her home. She received her Bachelor's Degree from UCLA in March 2024, with a Minor in Film and Television. She is happiest on set filming or in nature exploring; and hopes to be in the industry, either in front of or behind the camera, for the rest of her life.
- Lexi Jayde is a soulful and talented artist that has been writing her own songs since the age of 6 ~ At the age of 7, her gifts lead her to Musical Theater where she was able to show case her talents through acting and singing. She remained in public school as she pursued her dreams of writing music, acting and singing. In 2021 she signed with the Music Label APG, and soon after she released her first EP and just recently completed her first tour. At 19, she is in full swing and in the studio every day working hard to prepare for 2022. Lexi Jayde is also enrolled at The University of Southern California (USC) where she is earning a BA in Drama. You will also find her on all platforms and now that her dream team is in place she is ready to write and perform, whether it be behind the camera on film/TV or on a stage singing! She is grateful for all this opportunity and you will be hearing and seeing a lot of her so stay tuned!
- Actress
- Director
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Jeremy Shada was born on 21 January 1997 in Boise, Idaho, USA. He is an actor, known for Julie and the Phantoms (2020), Adventure Time (2010) and Mr. Student Body President (2016). He has been married to Carolynn Rowland since 7 March 2020.- Actor
- Music Department
- Additional Crew
Zach began acting at the age of seven. He was cast as Winthrop in The Music Man. Zach liked the fact that the lisp he had to use allowed him to spit without getting in trouble. Zach was cast in his first feature film role in "Kingshighway" 2007. He has an older brother Wes and older sister Andrea.- Actress
Sophia Lillis was born in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. She started her acting career at the age of seven, when her stepfather encouraged her to take acting classes at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Manhattan. While studying there, a teacher recommended her for a role in an NYU student film. She then signed a deal with an agent and started auditioning for roles. She started out in short films but later landed her breakthrough role in the horror film It (2017). She has also starred in the films It Chapter Two (2019), Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019), and Gretel & Hansel (2020).- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
Wyatt Oleff was born on 13 July 2003 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and assistant director, known for I Am Not Okay with This (2020), It (2017) and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).- Actress
- Soundtrack
- Producer
Jenna Davis is a talented actress, producer, singer, songwriter, dancer and a social media influencer.
Most recently she voiced the titular character in Blumhouse's hit horror-thriller M3gan.Jenna also received praise for bringing M3gan to life, with Rolling Stone calling her voice acting "perfectly right" and the Hollywood Reporter saying the film " would be nothing without her voice work " Jenna will next be seen in Zelda William's upcoming film Lisa Frankenstein opposite Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse. Additionally, you can find Jenna on the hit Disney Channel show RavensHome.
Jenna has over 9 million followers across all social platforms, and her music videos have amassed over 67 million views!- Actress
- Soundtrack
Skai Jackson stars as the adorable "Zuri Ross" on the Disney Channel sitcoms Jessie (2011), with Debby Ryan, and Bunk'd (2015). Before that, we've seen her in small roles on Boardwalk Empire (2010) and Royal Pains (2009), and even in the film, The Smurfs (2011).- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Lizzy Greene was discovered in 2013 at a talent workshop in her hometown of Dallas. Growing up she was drawn to everything related to the performing arts. She got her start in theater at age seven, specializing in comedic projects. After a few years training in theater, traveling with an improv troupe, she was cast in a lead role in Nickelodeon's comedy series "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn" which ran for four seasons.
Greene has been nominated three times for a Kids Choice Award for Favorite Female TV Star for her portrayal of Dawn on the Nickelodeon series. Her other television credits include a lead role in Nickelodeon's TV movie "Tiny Christmas", multiple guest starring roles, and ABC's pilot "Damaged Goods."
Greene, who thrives on being challenged professionally, has demonstrated versatility in her transition from children's comedic acting to adult drama in ABC's "A Million Little Things", which wrapped in 2023 after 5 seasons. Greene played Sophie Dixon, the 16-year-old daughter to Jon and Delilah Dixon (played by Ron Livingston and Stephanie Szostak).
Greene is now staring as Lauren Brigman in Netflix's new Drama series, Ransom Canyon, which is projected to air in 2025.
In her free time, Greene enjoys humanitarian work, painting, and sports.- Jessica Belkin is a talented actress, singer, and songwriter hailing from Los Angeles, California. With a diverse career in film, television, and commercials, she has been featured on notable series such as "American Horror Story: Hotel," "Pretty Little Liars," "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn," and "Speechless." In 2020, Jessica appeared in the award-winning mockumentary "Reboot Camp" which was written and directed by Ivo Raza and starred Eric Roberts, David Lipper, David Koechner, Ja Rule, Chaz Bono, Ed Begley Jr.
Jessica starred in the crime-thriller film "The Last Straw" directed by Alan Scott Neal, which follows an intricate chain reaction of crime, chaos, and bloodshed alongside Jeremy Sisto and Glen Gould. Belkin stars alongside Mena Suvari, Mickey Rourke, Casper Van Dien, and Will Peltz in "Hunt Club."
Most recently, she starred opposite Watchman's Malin Akerman in Nick Wilson's first time feature directorial "Singing in My Sleep." The pic, reminiscent of "Once," follows a talented teenage songwriter (Belkin) who feels stuck living in the shadow of her deceased father's musical legacy (Gavin Leatherwood). However, a tribute concert forces her and her free-spirited mother (Akerman) to face his abandonment. - Always playing pretend and finding comfort in her own imagination, Navia Robinson began pursuing the performing arts at just age 5. At the age of 6, Robinson's acting career began and her dreams came to fruition, as she starred as Mary Jane Paul's (Gabrielle Union) niece, D'Asia, in the hit BET Network drama, "Being Mary Jane." In early 2016, Nicki Minaj hand-picked Navia, much to her delight, to portray Tasha, Nicki's childhood best friend, for a pilot/ordered to series revolving around her life growing up in Queens, NY entitled, "Nicki," which was shot for ABC's Freeform Network. Shortly after, Robinson's passion took her to the United Kingdom where she starred as Rosie in Netflix's Emmy® Award-winning series, "Free Rein." Once she returned to the United States, she appeared in The CW's critically acclaimed "Vampire Diaries" as Janie.
Perhaps, Navia Robinson is most recognized as Nia Baxter, Raven's Baxter's (Raven Symone) smart and socially conscious teenage daughter, in Disney Channel's live-action comedy, "Raven's Home," a spin-off of the iconic comedy series, "That's So Raven."
Robinson is also the voice of endeared characters Zayla, daughter of Invisibilio and Shocktress in Marvel's "Marvel Rising: Playing With Fire" and Valkyrie on Disney's animated series, "Rocketeers." - Actress
- Composer
- Music Department
Nurturing an impressive body of work that encompasses both television and music, Sky Katz has established herself as Hollywood's most promising young talents. Sky currently stars as "Summer Torres" in the Netflix Series, "Surviving Summer" which premiered in June 2022. Before that Sky could be seen as the scene stealing confident and high spirited neighbor Tess, on Disney Channel's hit series Raven's Home, a spin-off of the iconic sitcom That's So Raven where she garnered a Daytime Emmy. As a contestant on Season 11 of America's Got Talent, Sky wowed the judges and audience with her impressive rapping skills and freestyle. This 17 year old free spirit immediately caught media attention. In addition to acting, Sky has been recording and performing music, first in hip hop doing a collaboration with Lil Tjay and now in the Punk Pop spectrum working with Joel Madden of Good Charlotte and Nick Anderson of The Wrecks. Outside of entertainment Sky's committed to philanthropic work as the National Ambassador for Sunrise Association. In between filming and recording in the studio, she's an extremely talented basketball player who enjoys spending time with her family, friends and 3 dogs.- Music Artist
- Actress
- Music Department
Olivia Rodrigo is a soulful artist with a rare gift for emotive and empathetic songwriting. "I think I'm good at knowing how people feel, how I feel, and being able to capture that," the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter-actor shares. Her father had Filipino ancestry. Her mother had is German, English, Irish, and some Austrian ancestry.
Her keen sense for conveying feeling has served her well, thus far. Olivia is the star of the first two seasons of the Disney+ High School Musical series. Acting has been something of a new development for her. Singing since she was 4, Olivia took up acting based on a recommendation from her vocal coach. "Acting and music relate in that they are both about capturing feelings and moments as accurately as you can," she shares.
Olivia exudes an intriguing paradox of being both exuberantly youthful and, sagely, an old soul. She seeks authenticity and bold expression in her music. "My favorite songs are brutally honest and give a vivid look into the artist's life and mind," she says. "Honest storytelling is my ultimate goal." A select cross section of her influences include artists as diverse as Fiona Apple, Jack White, PJ Harvey, and Phoebe Bridgers. Olivia's worlds of acting, singing and songwriting meet when she performs two original songs she wrote, as well as HSM classics, on the series.
"Writing for HSM was surreal, to say the least. The fact that they gave a 16-year-old a shot to write for such a big project is so awesome." She continues: "I think the perspective of a teenage girl is so powerful, and something that doesn't always gets harnessed in its full capacity, too."
As a kindergarten-er, Olivia took voice lessons, and then later piano lessons. At age 12, she began playing guitar. It was during this time that she began writing songs. "I remember coming up with melodies and lyrics and writing them down in this pink fluffy notebook that I had won at some arcade. I still keep that notebook on my bedside table," she says, laughing.