The film and television industry is always on the lookout for fresh talent, and a new generation of actors is poised to take the spotlight. These young stars have shown exceptional skill, charisma, and dedication to their craft. Don’t be surprised when they’re the next big names in Hollywood! Here are 15 actors under 30 who are on the verge of becoming household names.
1. Florence Pugh
At just 25, Florence Pugh has seen her star on the rise in recent years. Horror fans first got a glimpse of her in the groundbreaking, A24 film Midsommar. Since then, Pugh has earned critical acclaim for her roles in films like Little Women and Oppenheimer. With her talent for portraying complex characters and major upcoming roles, Pugh is set to become one of the best actresses in Hollywood.
2. Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet has a legion of fans who are excited for his every move. He made a name for himself in indie fare such as the Academy Award winner, Call Me By Your Name. Now he’s on the rise in mainstream Hollywood in major blockbusters like Wonka and Dune. Known for his deep emotional portrayals and unique choice of roles, Chalamet continues to choose projects that challenge him and excite audiences. As far as actors under 30, he has a promising career ahead.
3. Zendaya
From a Disney star to a leading lady in both television and film, Zendaya has proven her versatility as an actress, especially in recent years. Fans loved seeing her in Spider-Man and millions of viewers turned to the hit TV show, “Euphoria.” However, it’s Zendaya’s star-making turn in the buzzy film Challengers that has put her on the map. Her ability to tackle diverse roles with authenticity makes her one of the most-watched young talents in the industry.
4. Tom Holland
Spider-Man movies have made stars of many actors like Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Many Marvel enthusiasts swear that it’s Tom Holland who is the best in the role of the famous web-slinger. Holland has also shown he’s more than a superhero actor with performances in films like The Impossible, Cherry, and Uncharted. As an actor, he always combines charm and serious emotional range, promising a long and successful career.
5. Anya Taylor-Joy
One of the most talked about horror thriller movies in recent memory was The Menu released in 2022. Who can forget that iconic burger scene? Anya Taylor-Joy is the star of that film, carrying the weight of humor and tension on her shoulders. In addition to The Menu, Taylor-Joy has also starred in other notable projects like The Queen’s Gambit and Furiosa. Her captivating screen presence and ability to dive deep into her characters signal a promising future.
6. Barry Keoghan
If you haven’t heard the name Barry Keoghan just yet, get ready to become familiar with this young up-and-coming star. Keoghan’s intense performances in The Killing of a Sacred Deer and Dunkirk have established him as a powerful character actor. It was his role in Saltburn, however, that really got the world’s attention. Look out for Keoghan in many exciting new projects in the future.
7. Jharrel Jerome
Do you tune in each year for the Oscars? You may remember the fiasco where Moonlight was named Best Picture over La La Land. Jharrel Jerome was in the latter film, putting him on the map as a serious actor. He also recently won an Emmy for his portrayal in “When They See Us,” marking him as a standout actor of his generation.
8. Kaitlyn Dever
Hulu has been struggling to release original content that keeps up with Netflix. Through word of mouth, the alien horror movie No One Will Save You put the streaming platform on the map. Much credit for its success goes to the groundbreaking performance by Kaitlyn Dever who doesn’t utter one line of dialogue in the entire film. This role comes on the tail of her star-making performance in the 2019 comedy, Booksmart.
9. Lucas Hedges
Hollywood needs actors under 30 who show a lot of range. In recent years, Lucas Hedges has been the go-to person thanks to acclaim in Academy Award nominated movies like Manchester by the Sea and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. His ability to portray complex emotional characters positions him as a future powerhouse in dramatic cinema. It’s exciting to see where he will go next.
10. Lana Condor
Representation in Hollywood has been a hot button issue in recent years. Lana Condor, the star of the popular romantic comedy To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, helped springboard a trend in Asian-led comedies. Her charming performance and the film’s success have paved the way for sequels as well as even more leading roles. You can also catch her in the ABC Network hit TV series, “Abbot Elementary.”
11. Jacob Tremblay
People first witnessed Jacob Tremblay’s emotional range in the 2015 movie Room where he played a boy born into captivity. Since then, Tremblay has been a star on the rise landing roles in movies like Doctor Sleep and lending his voice acting talents to the titular character in Pixar film, Luca. The young actor continues to choose interesting roles as he matures as a performer. An Oscar may just be in his future.
12. Millie Bobby Brown
Nielsen reports that the fourth season of “Stranger Things” was only the third title to hit the 5 billion viewer mark in 2022. This retro feeling, sci-fi hit series on Netflix put many young actors under 30 on the map, including Millie Bobby Brown. She earned fame for playing Eleven in the show, and since then, her career has rapidly expanded. Fans can see Brown in blockbuster movies like Godzilla vs. Kong and Enola Holmes.
13. Amandla Stenberg
For fans of The Hunger Games, you may remember the cute, curly-haired girl who played fan favorite, Rue. That’s Amandla Stenberg, a rising star in Hollywood, continuing to star in popular adaptations of teen fiction. In recent years, Stenberg has earned praise for roles in movies like The Hate U Give and Everything, Everything. Her career is marked by a commitment to diversity and impactful storytelling.
14. Finn Wolfhard
It’s no small feat to star in the highest grossing horror film of all time. Finn Wolfhard rose to the challenge, starring in a breakout role in the 2017 remake of IT. With his breakout role in “Stranger Things,” it was a natural transition for Wolfhard to enter the twisted mind of Stephen King. This actor continues to take interesting roles such as his recent appearances in the new Ghostbusters movies.
15. Hailee Steinfeld
Hollywood takes notice of young actors who are nominated for Oscars. Hailee Steinfeld earned this accolade by starring in the 2010 Western film, True Grit. Over a decade later she’s become a multi-hyphenate, continuing to take interesting acting roles as well as releasing hit pop songs on the radio. Her performances in The Edge of Seventeen and in Bumblebee showcase her dynamic presence and promise for continued success in the industry.
Stars on the Rise
These young actors represent the future of the film and television industry. We’ve enjoyed their in impressive early work and look forward to exciting projects on the horizon. Each young man and woman on this list is destined to make the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s exciting to see which roles they take on next!
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Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.