Rising Stars of Today: The Teen Actors Shaping Hollywoods Future
Teen actors continue to prove that talent has no age limit. Many young performers are already headlining major projects, earning awards, and building impressive careers before they are old enough to vote.
Below is a refreshed, expanded look at eight standout teen actors making a real impact in the entertainment world. If you are an aspiring young performer or a parent of one, this guide also includes practical steps to begin your own acting journey.
Today’s Most Buzzed About Teen Actors
Iain Armitage
Iain Armitage became a familiar face thanks to his role as the young Sheldon Cooper in the CBS hit Young Sheldon. Like many Gen Z talents, he began his journey on the internet.
His YouTube channel, Iain Loves Theatre, featured his enthusiastic reviews of Broadway shows and caught the attention of Abrams Artists Agency. Soon after, he landed roles on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and HBO’s winning Big Little Lies.
Credit: Iain Armitage/Instagram
These early gigs opened the door to the starring role that made him a household name. Along the way, Armitage added film credits like The Glass Castle and the animated feature Scoob. His Young Sheldon costar, Lance Barber, described him as “exceptional as a young actor, as a performer” and noted his maturity and intellect beyond his years. Armitage was born to perform.
Roman Griffin Davis
Roman Griffin Davis did not need a long resume to make waves. His debut role was a major one. He starred as Jojo in Taika Waititi’s winning film Jojo Rabbit. His portrayal of a boy questioning his beliefs during wartime earned him a Golden Globe nomination and a Critics’ Choice win.
Credits: Roman Griffin Davis/Instagram
Waititi called Davis “a really creative person with a really unique and interesting sense of humor” and praised his imagination. Since Jojo Rabbit he has appeared in Silent Night and continues building an impressive list of upcoming projects. His early success shows that one standout performance can launch a lasting career.
Mckenna Grace
Mckenna Grace has been acting for most of her life. She began with commercials before moving on to a long list of television roles. She gained major attention after starring opposite Chris Evans in the film Gifted.
Credits: Mckennagraceful/Instagram
Her breakout moment arrived when she played young Tonya Harding in the acclaimed biopic I, Tonya. Grace has added notable roles in The Haunting of Hill House and Captain Marvel. Her performance in The Handmaid’s Tale earned her an Emmy nomination, which made her one of the youngest nominees in history.
More recently, she has become a key part of the Ghostbusters franchise. Her costar Carrie Coon said Grace is “quite accomplished as an actor already” while still maintaining the curiosity that makes young performers so magnetic.
Ariana Greenblatt
Ariana Greenblatt has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young talents. Many viewers first noticed her in the blockbuster hit Barbie, where she played the sharp-witted Sasha. Greenblatt began acting at only six years old and has since built a strong career with roles on Disney Channel and in feature films like the sci-fi adventure 65.
Credit: Mollyddickson/Instagram
She often portrays younger versions of well-known characters, including roles in Avengers: Infinity War and In the Heights. Greenblatt continues to push toward her dream of creating her own film one day. As she told Numéro, “My biggest dream is to create a movie from scratch, write it, direct it, star in it, and most importantly, actually have it greenlit and shown to the world.”
Dafne Keen
Dafne Keen burst onto the scene when she played Laura Kinney opposite Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in Logan. Her fierce performance won critical praise and an Empire Award for best female newcomer.
Credit: Dafnekeen/Instagram
Keen has been vocal about her lifelong love of the franchise. She told W Magazine that filming sometimes feels surreal and said, “Every time I go into a costume fitting, I leave and just scream into a pillow.”
Her passion continues to fuel her fast-growing career. She went on to star as Lyra Belacqua in His Dark Materials and later joined the cast of the Star Wars series The Acolyte.
Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin is not only a talented actor but also a record-breaking producer. She started with commercial work and then became widely known for her role as Diane Johnson on Black-ish. Her performance earned several awards and nominations.
Credits: Marsaimartin/Instagram
At only ten years old, she pitched the idea that became the comedy Little and earned her credit as the youngest person to ever produce a studio film. Kenya Barris recalled her pitch and said, “I am going to stop you right there. Nothing more needed to be said.” Martin has also produced series like Saturdays and continues to expand her influence in front of and behind the camera.
August Maturo
August Maturo found success early with appearances on Weeds and How I Met Your Mother. His biggest break came when he joined the cast of Girl Meets World. After the show, he moved into film roles, including The Nun and the horror feature Slapface.
Credit: Augustmaturo/Instagram
Maturo also began producing while still a teen. He contributed as an executive producer on the virtual reality project Just Like You Food Allergies. He was inspired by a personal experience with a severe allergic reaction and explained, “Food allergies do not have to stop you from having a wonderful life and following your dreams.”
Jacob Tremblay
Jacob Tremblay captured audiences with his powerful performance in Room. His role earned him major award recognition and launched a major career. Tremblay has since appeared in Doctor Sleep, where his intense performance even shook his adult costars.
Rebecca Ferguson said, “When they said action, and he started acting, I just burst out crying.”Tremblay is also a sought-after voice actor with credits in Harley Quinn, Luca, and The Little Mermaid. His versatility continues to set him apart from his peers.
Summary:
- Highlights eight standout teen actors who are shaping the future of Hollywood.
- Features Iain Armitage, Roman Griffin Davis, McKenna Grace, Ariana Greenblatt, Dafne Keen, Marsai Martin, August Maturo, and Jacob Tremblay.
- Includes key career milestones, breakout roles, awards, and memorable quotes from industry pros.
- Emphasizes how young performers are earning recognition across film, TV, and voice acting.
- Provides actionable advice for aspiring teen actors, including training, practice, auditions, and seeking representation.
- Encourages young talents to pursue acting with confidence and consistent effort.
