Top 20 Talented Young Actors

Young male actors are bringing fresh energy to film and television, and many are already building deep resumes across drama, comedy, action, and independent projects. This list spotlights performers whose work ranges from festival favorites to worldwide hits, along with stage credits and voice roles that show how versatile they can be.

You will find a quick overview of what each actor has done so far and where you can watch some of their standout performances. Titles are included so you can add them to your watchlist and catch up on projects you may have missed.

Timothée Chalamet

Chalamet earned a best actor Academy Award nomination for his leading turn in ‘Call Me by Your Name’ and has headlined the ‘Dune’ franchise while also leading ‘Wonka’. His filmography includes acclaimed ensembles in ‘Little Women’ and ‘Beautiful Boy’, plus early stage work in New York that helped shape his screen approach.

He is fluent in English and French, which has opened doors to international productions and press. Beyond features, he has appeared in television earlier in his career, and he continues to balance large scale releases with character driven dramas.

Tom Holland

Holland leads the ‘Spider-Man’ films in the Marvel universe and previously earned strong notices for ‘The Impossible’ and ‘Cherry’. He trained in dance and gymnastics, originated the title role in Billy Elliot on the London stage, and has done animation voice work in ‘Onward’.

He works across film and television, including the series ‘The Crowded Room’. His background in movement supports practical stunt work, and he frequently collaborates with major studios while also taking on smaller dramatic parts.

Paul Mescal

Mescal broke out in the series ‘Normal People’ and received a best actor Academy Award nomination for ‘Aftersun’. He followed with roles in ‘All of Us Strangers’ and takes on a major historical epic with ‘Gladiator II’.

On stage he played Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire in London and won an Olivier Award for that performance. His screen choices mix intimate contemporary dramas and larger scale stories, which keeps his slate varied.

Austin Butler

Butler earned a best actor Academy Award nomination for ‘Elvis’ and later joined the ‘Dune’ franchise in a key supporting role. His film work also includes ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, along with earlier television credits that gave him steady set experience.

He records music tied to select roles and continues to alternate between studio projects and director driven films. Butler’s preparation often involves extensive research and dialect coaching that supports accurate portrayals of real figures.

Barry Keoghan

Keoghan received an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ and won several major critics and industry prizes for that role. His credits include ‘Saltburn’, ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’, and ‘Dunkirk’, which showcase his range across tones and genres.

He works in both independent cinema and large productions, and he frequently collaborates with notable European and American filmmakers. Keoghan also supports Irish film initiatives, which keeps him connected to emerging talent and regional stories.

Jacob Elordi

Elordi is known for the series ‘Euphoria’ and expanded into prestige features with ‘Priscilla’ and ‘Saltburn’. He first reached a global audience with ‘The Kissing Booth’ films, which gave him a platform to pursue more complex roles.

He splits time between film and television and continues to work in both the United States and Australia. His projects often place him in contemporary settings, and he has shown a willingness to take on biographical material and period drama.

Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Harrison earned wide recognition for leading roles in ‘Luce’ and ‘Waves’, followed by period turns in ‘Cyrano’ and ‘Chevalier’. He has appeared in ensemble pieces such as ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’, which broadened his network of collaborators.

He studied music and grew up in New Orleans, which informs his comfort with performance and rhythm on screen. Harrison selects character driven projects across studios and streamers, which keeps his schedule balanced between prestige and wider release films.

Lucas Hedges

Hedges received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Manchester by the Sea’ and has appeared in ‘Lady Bird’, ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, ‘Boy Erased’, and ‘Ben Is Back’. His choices often place him alongside respected directors and strong ensembles.

He has Broadway experience in The Waverly Gallery, which complements his film work with live performance discipline. Hedges continues to develop roles that address family dynamics and coming of age stories without repeating character types.

Harris Dickinson

Dickinson drew attention with ‘Beach Rats’ and later starred in ‘Triangle of Sadness’, ‘The King’s Man’, and ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’. His credits span independent releases and franchise adjacent films, which keeps his audience broad.

He also appears in British productions and smaller festival titles that build relationships with European filmmakers. Dickinson’s slate includes contemporary stories and period settings, giving him steady practice with dialects and location heavy shoots.

Archie Madekwe

Madekwe reached a wide audience with ‘Gran Turismo’ after earlier work in ‘Midsommar’, ‘Beau Is Afraid’, and ‘Saltburn’. On television he played Kofun in ‘See’, which provided long form character development and action training.

He is active in both UK and US markets and continues to move between horror, drama, and true story adaptations. Madekwe’s recent films use practical stunt driving and large set pieces, which add technical experience to his resume.

Charles Melton

Melton broke through on television with ‘Riverdale’ and then earned major awards attention for his supporting performance in ‘May December’. He previously led the romance ‘The Sun Is Also a Star’, which introduced him to a broader film audience.

He has shifted from network series work to auteur led features and has received nominations from leading awards bodies. Melton continues to read for both lead and supporting parts, which gives him flexibility in scheduling and role selection.

Jharrel Jerome

Jerome won an Emmy for his lead performance in ‘When They See Us’ and appeared in ‘Moonlight’, which gave him early film exposure. He returned to television with ‘I’m a Virgo’, a series that blends social commentary with surreal elements.

He records music under his own name, which complements his screen work with writing and performance practice. Jerome is selective about projects that highlight underrepresented stories and collaborates with filmmakers who focus on social issues.

Justice Smith

Smith first gained attention in the series ‘The Get Down’ and moved into features with ‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’ and the ‘Jurassic World’ films. He expanded his range with the caper ‘Sharper’ and the fantasy adventure ‘Dungeons & Dragons’.

He works frequently with streamers and major studios, which keeps him visible across platforms. Smith also appears in stage and indie projects, allowing him to balance effects driven films with grounded character pieces.

Tye Sheridan

Sheridan began with acclaimed roles in ‘Mud’ and ‘Joe’ and later led ‘Ready Player One’ while joining the ‘X-Men’ series as Cyclops. He collaborated with Paul Schrader on ‘The Card Counter’, which added a contained character study to his credits.

He co founded a technology company that supports visual effects workflows, which gives him a producer’s perspective on set needs. Sheridan tends to mix genre films with intimate dramas, keeping technical and performance skills current.

Noah Jupe

Jupe is known for ‘A Quiet Place’ and ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ and delivered a notable turn in ‘Honey Boy’. His resume also includes ‘Ford v Ferrari’ and the series ‘The Night Manager’, which provided early experience in international television.

He works in both British and American productions and often plays key roles in ensemble casts. Jupe continues to train while working, and he chooses projects that pair him with experienced directors and cinematographers.

Asa Butterfield

Butterfield led ‘Hugo’ and ‘Ender’s Game’ and later starred in the global hit series ‘Sex Education’. His film credits include ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’ and a mix of indie and genre projects.

He also works in voice acting and gaming related media, which broadens his audience beyond traditional filmgoers. Butterfield balances television commitments with features and maintains a steady release rhythm across platforms.

Jack Dylan Grazer

Grazer broke out with ‘It’ and returned for ‘It Chapter Two’ while joining the DC films with ‘Shazam!’ and ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’. He voiced Alberto in Pixar’s ‘Luca’, which introduced him to family audiences worldwide.

He alternates between live action and animation and appears in both studio franchises and smaller projects. Grazer’s schedule includes television and streaming films, which helps him stay connected to multiple viewer groups.

Cooper Hoffman

Hoffman made his feature debut in ‘Licorice Pizza’ and earned major newcomer nominations and awards for that performance. The role paired him with an experienced ensemble and placed him in a period setting that required detailed preparation.

He continues to read for roles that emphasize character building and collaboration with established directors. Hoffman’s background includes exposure to sets from an early age, which supports his understanding of film production.

Callum Turner

Turner is known for ‘The Capture’ on television and for playing Theseus Scamander in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series. He has appeared in ‘Green Room’ and led the World War II miniseries ‘Masters of the Air’.

He works across British television and American features and often takes roles that involve action training and period detail. Turner was a BAFTA Rising Star nominee, which recognizes momentum in his early career.

George MacKay

MacKay led ‘1917’ and appeared in ‘Pride’, ‘How I Live Now’, and ‘Captain Fantastic’, building a catalog that spans independent and studio films. He continued with the rowing drama ‘The Boys in the Boat’, which required extensive physical preparation.

He began acting as a child and trained through youth theatre programs in London, which gave him a foundation for adult roles. MacKay’s projects frequently involve location heavy shoots that demand consistent stamina and focus.

Share your picks for other young male actors who deserve a spot and tell us why in the comments.