25 Young Actors Under 30: Meet Hollywood's Future A-List Talents!
In glitzy Hollywood, a select few young actors have risen to stardom before hitting 30. Many embarked on their journeys as child actors, mastering their craft in theater, TV, and commercials before securing breakout roles in blockbusters.
From pint-sized prodigies to emerging stars in their twenties, these actors have certainly left their mark on modern cinema. Meet 25 top young actors and actresses, discover their journeys, and peek into their future projects in the cinematic world.
#1. Finn Wolfhard - Age: 20
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#2. Will Pouter - Age: 30
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English actor Will Poulter made his mark as Eustace Scrubb in "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" (2010). His breakout came with the comedy "We're the Millers" (2013), earning him the BAFTA Rising Star Award. Poulter's versatility shines in "The Maze Runner" trilogy, "The Revenant," "Detroit," "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch," and "Midsommar." In 2021, he garnered an Emmy nod for "Dopesick." Known for his charm, humor, and distinctive eyebrows, Poulter continued to impress in 2023, when he entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Adam Warlock in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
#3. Chloe Grace Moretz - Age: 26
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Chloë Grace Moretz, the accomplished American actress, has garnered acclaim and awards among young actors under 30 for her confident and versatile performances since her childhood roles in "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Kick-Ass." She's portrayed diverse characters, from a child vampire in "Let Me In" to a teenage girl in "Carrie," and a young woman in "If I Stay." Moretz has expanded her repertoire into the realm of sci-fi with "The Peripheral" series. Recognized for her beauty, intelligence, and acting prowess, Moretz continues to shine as she ventures into production, with projects like the upcoming animated film "Nimona" in 2023.
#4. Sydney Sweeney - Age: 26
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Though Sydney Sweeney is mid-way through her 20s, she has already become a household name. Her breakout came with the Netflix series "Everything Sucks!" Since then, she's graced our screens in powerful roles, notably as Eden Spencer in "Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale" and in HBO’s "Sharp Objects," where she clinched two Emmy Awards in 2022. Yet, her most iconic portrayal to date is that of Olivia Mossbacher in "The White Lotus."
#5. Tom Holland - Age: 26
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Tom Holland, one of the most prominent young actors under 30, has conquered Marvel with his endearing portrayal of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" and other MCU hits. Beyond Marvel, he's showcased his skills in Apple's "Cherry," Disney's “Onward," and Sony’s “Uncharted.” With such talent, it's clear that even after his Spidey days, Holland will continue to shine in captivating projects.
#6. Kiernan Shipka - Age: 23
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One of the most versatile young actresses, Kiernan Shipka has evolved beyond her "Mad Men" days, impressively embodying the terrifying and powerful Sabrina Spellman in "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." Her talent extends to animation, as she voices Jinora in "The Legend of Korra." In recognition of her rising star, Shipka earned the IMDb Top 10 Breakout Stars Award in 2018. She's certainly no longer just the little girl from "Mad Men!"
#7. Timothée Chalamet - Age: 27
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Among male actors under 30, Timothée Chalamet isn't just a heartthrob; he's a talent to reckon with. At 25, he's the third-youngest actor to secure an Oscar nod for Best Lead Actor. A Greta Gerwig favorite, he shares the screen with Saoirse Ronan in "Lady Bird" and "Little Women." Notable performances include "Call Me by Your Name," "Beautiful Boy," and "The French Dispatch." And soon, we will get to watch him as Willy Wonka in a Wonka prequel!
#8. Zendaya - Age: 27
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Zendaya's journey to stardom began in Disney Channel hits like "Shake It Up" and "KC Undercover." However, her star rose even higher with HBO's "Euphoria," where she portrayed the complex Rue Bennett. Zendaya's versatility shines as she effortlessly transitions from movies like "The Greatest Showman" to "Spider-Man: Far from Home" and the intense drama "Malcolm and Marie."
#9. Letitia Wright - Age: 29
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Among the growing roster of young actors joining the MCU, there’s Letitia Wright. She is arguably best known for playing Shuri in "Black Panther" and eventually replacing Chadwick Boseman as the MCU’s Black Panther, but she has had a long and successful career even before taking on that role. She has also appeared in "Doctor Who", "Humans," "Death on the Nile", and "Chasing Shadows". For her performance as Nish in the Black Mirror episode "Black Museum," she even received an Emmy Award nomination.
#10. Saoirse Ronan - Age: 29
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Saoirse Ronan is an exceptional actress with four Oscar nominations to her name, a testament to her talent. Her memorable performances in every role she plays make it hard to choose a favorite. Most notably, her collaborations with Greta Gerwig, in projects like "Lady Bird" and "Little Women," showcase their deep, trusting friendship. Ronan's "it" factor lies in the delicate yet powerful complexity she brings to every role.
#11. Lana Condor - Age: 26
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Among the actors and actresses under 30, Lana Condor is an underrated gem! Even though this actress hasn’t received an Emmy or Oscar nomination yet, you can bet she will soon. After her breakout role as Lara Jean in “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and its sequels, this Vietnamese-born actress Lana Condor made her acting debut as Jubilation Lee/Jubilee in “X-Men: Apocalypse”. After that, she also made an appearance in “Moonshot”. Some of her planned projects are Valiant One and Ballerina Overdrive.
#12. Lucas Hedges - Age: 26
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Lucas Hedges might not be a standout name among male actors under 30, but he is memorable for his lighthearted, supporting parts in some of your favorite Wes Anderson movies, such as "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "Moonrise Kingdom." But it is his Oscar-nominated performance in "Manchester by the Sea" that gets people talking. In every part he portrays, Hedges gives a heartfelt performance. Don't be shocked if you see this talented young actor in a range of roles in the upcoming years.
#13. Keke Palmer - Age: 30
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A veteran among the young actors in this list, Keke Palmer began her acting journey at the age of ten in "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" (2004). She then became known for her role in the Nickelodeon series "True Jackson, VP" (2008-2011) and other child star projects. Palmer's career evolved as she took on diverse roles in films like "Hustlers" (2019) and "Nope" (2022), directed by Jordan Peele. Her role as Emerald in "Nope" stands as a career-defining performance, and her star is on a meteoric rise. Alongside her acting, she's also made her mark in music, releasing three EPs.
#14. Yara Shahidi - Age: 23
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Yara Shahidi has been in the spotlight since the age of six. She's renowned for her role as Zoey Johnson in "Black-ish" and its spin-off, "Grown-ish." Shahidi's talent extends to films like "Imagine That" alongside Eddie Murphy and voicing a character in "PAW Patrol: The Movie." Notably, she's set to portray Tinker Bell in "Peter Pan & Wendy." Beyond acting, she's an executive producer of "Grown-ish" and co-executive producer of "Hair Love." Shahidi graduated from Harvard in 2022 with a major in Interdisciplinary Sociology and Black American Studies. An advocate for racial justice and social change, she's poised for a brilliant future in Hollywood and beyond.
#15. Olivia Cooke - Age: 29
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Arguably one of the most in demand young actors at the moment, Olivia Cooke won a breakout star award at the 2018 IMDb Awards, after appearing in "Bates Motel", "Ready Player One" and the miniseries "Vanity Fair". She also starred in the movies Thoroughbreds and Sound of Metal. Fans of "Cooke" and "Game of Thrones" have been thrilled with the release of "House of the Dragon", where she plays Queen Alicent Hightower. Some of her recent movies include "Little Fish", "Pixie", and "Naked Singularity".
#16. Beanie Feldstein - Age: 30
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Elizabeth Greer "Beanie" Feldstein is a versatile American actress, gaining fame through roles in "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising," "Lady Bird," and "Booksmart," which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She's also graced the Broadway stage as Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl," earning a Drama League Award nod. In "American Crime Story: Impeachment," she masterfully portrayed Monica Lewinsky, showcasing her ability to tackle serious roles. Feldstein, not just Jonah Hill's sister, exhibits impeccable comedic timing in "Booksmart" and "What We Do in the Shadows," infusing heart into her characters that captivate audiences.
#17. Kiersey Clemons - Age: 29
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With a long list of credits under her belt, Kiersey Clemons boasts an impressive career spanning both TV and film. Her roots on Disney Channel, particularly as Kira Starr in "Austin & Ally," may surprise you, but her versatility shines in roles like those in "Dope," "Sweetheart," "Antebellum," and "Zack Snyder's Justice League." As her career evolves, Clemons' ability to tackle diverse characters makes her an actor worth watching closely.
#18. Jharrel Jerome - Age: 25
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Among the young male actors under 30, it’s a crime that Jharrel Jerome is so underrated! A few years after Moonlight won three Oscars, including Best Picture, Jharrel Jerome won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie at The Emmys for his performance as Korey Wise in "When They See Us". With his Emmy award, Jerome was properly rewarded for his efforts and did an excellent job in his role. If Jerome's performance piqued your interest, you may also see him in "Mr. Mercedes" as Jerome Robinson as well as "Concrete Cowboy". With such successful projects in his past, he’s sure to have an exciting future.
#19. Florence Pugh - Age: 27
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“Don’t Worry Darling,” we cannot forget about Florence Pugh when listing the top young actors in demand right now! While her portrayal of Amy March in "Little Women" earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, she's equally at home in contemporary horror films like "Midsommar" and "Fighting With My Family." Recently, she entered the MCU as Yelena Belova in "Black Widow" and its spin-off, "Hawkeye." Pugh's upcoming roles, including "A Good Person," a Zach Braff-directed drama, and "The Wonder," based on Emma Donoghue's novel, promise to astonish and wow audiences.
#20. Shameik Moore - Age: 28
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Shameik Moore is a multi-talented artist, showcasing his versatility in various roles. He impressed as Malcolm in the critically acclaimed "Dope" (2015) and Blink in the action thriller "Cut Throat City" (2020). Moore also lent his voice to Miles Morales / Spider-Man in the Oscar-winning animated film "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018) and its upcoming sequels. His portrayal of Raekwon / Sha Raider in "Hulu's Wu-Tang: An American Saga" (2019-2023) earned him praise from RZA, the show's creator and executive producer.
#21. Phoebe Dynevor - Age: 28
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Phoebe Dynevor shot to stardom as Daphne Bridgerton in Netflix's hit series "Bridgerton," earning her a Golden Globe nomination. Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Regé-Jean Page enchanted audiences. Dynevor also played Clare O’Brien in "Younger," a love interest to Josh (Nico Tortorella). In 2023, she starred in the erotic thriller "Fair Play" at Sundance, later acquired by Netflix for $20 million. Upcoming projects include adaptations of Naoise Dolan's "Exciting Times" and the comedy "I Heart Murder" alongside Jamie Foxx.
#22. Victoria Pedretti - Age: 28
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Victoria Pedretti, a prominent American actress, gained recognition as Eleanor "Nell" Vance in Netflix's horror series, "The Haunting of Hill House." She continued to captivate audiences as Danielle "Dani" Clayton in its follow-up, "The Haunting of Bly Manor," and as Love Quinn in the thriller series "You." Her versatility shone through in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (2019) and as Katherine in "Shirley" (2020), a biographical drama. In 2023, she starred in Ava DuVernay's historical drama "Caste" and the drama "Ponyboi," centered on an intersex sex worker.
#23. Amandla Stenberg - Age: 24
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Amandla Stenberg initially captured our hearts as Rue in "The Hunger Games." Their compelling performances in movies like "The Hate U Give," addressing racism and police brutality, have left a lasting impact. Stenberg is a passionate ally for LGBTQ+ youth, seamlessly merging activism with their career. For more of their work, explore "The Eddy," "The Darkest Minds," and "Dear Evan Hansen" (2021). With a flourishing acting and singing career, Stenberg is sure to become a fixture in your Entertainment choices.
#24. Anya Taylor-Joy - Age: 27
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Among the actors under 30, Anya Taylor-Joy is one of the most in-demand actresses, especially after the hit "The Menu." Her portrayal in "The Queen's Gambit" ignited a chess craze, earning her a Golden Globe. Whether as Gina Gray in "Peaky Blinders" or Thomasin in "The Witch," her performances are consistently captivating and artistic. She's teaming up with filmmaker Robert Eggers for a "Nosferatu" adaptation, great news for "The Witch" fans. With projects like "Laughter in the Dark," "Last Night in Soho," and "Furiosa," an eventual golden statue seems inevitable, despite her Emmy miss.
#25. Ashton Sanders - Age: 27
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While still in DePaul University's theater program in Chicago, Ashton Sanders auditioned for the role that would later make him a part of the Best Picture-winning movie at the 2017 Oscars. Since then, Sanders' career has been steadily rising. Post-"Moonlight," he's taken on diverse roles in "Captive State," "Native Son," "Judas and the Black Messiah," and "The Equalizer 2." In addition, he brilliantly portrays hip-hop icon RZA/Bobby Diggs in Hulu's "Wu-Tang: An American Saga" and took on the role of Bobby Brown in "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody," a biopic about the legendary singer.