20 Best Actors in Their 30s, Ranked

Acting in your thirties often brings a mix of experience and momentum. Many of the biggest film and television roles are landing with performers in this age range, and their credits now span blockbuster franchises, prestige dramas, and ambitious independent projects. This list looks at male actors in their thirties whose bodies of work show range, consistency, and an ability to anchor major titles.

You will recognize names tied to award wins, box office runs, and series that shaped the streaming era. You will also spot actors who added producing or directing to their resumes and built reputations across genres. Each entry highlights concrete roles, achievements, and career moves that define where these performers stand today.

20. Penn Badgley

Penn Badgley built a television profile through long running leads. He first reached a wide audience with the series ‘Gossip Girl’ and followed it by starring in ‘You’, which moved from cable to streaming and sustained multiple seasons. He also appeared in features such as ‘Easy A’ and ‘Margin Call’.

Badgley records music under the project MOTHXR and has stage credits in New York. He has served as an executive producer on later seasons of ‘You’, expanding his work beyond acting and contributing to creative decisions for the series.

19. Dacre Montgomery

Dacre Montgomery gained international attention as Billy Hargrove in ‘Stranger Things’, entering the cast in the second season and returning in later appearances. Before that he led the feature ‘Power Rangers’ and appeared in the romantic comedy ‘The Broken Hearts Gallery’.

Montgomery trained in Western Australia and has worked in short films and voice projects between larger roles. He has released poetry and audio pieces that showcase writing and performance outside on screen work, keeping his portfolio active between seasons.

18. Joseph Quinn

Joseph Quinn reached global visibility through ‘Stranger Things’, where his role connected with audiences and led to major feature opportunities. His film work includes ‘Gladiator II’ and roles across British television such as ‘Howards End’ and ‘Catherine the Great’.

Quinn came up through theater and British period drama before moving into large scale productions. He continues to balance franchise entries with character driven parts, using his stage background to take on historical settings and contemporary material.

17. Ben Hardy

Ben Hardy moved from UK television into major films. He played Roger Taylor in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and appeared as Angel in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’. His credits also include ‘The Voyeurs’ and ‘Only the Brave’, covering thrillers and real life inspired drama.

Hardy trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and worked in theater before screen roles. He continues to split time between film and limited series projects, often taking supporting parts that link to real people and music history.

16. Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson transitioned from early franchise fame to auteur driven features and a new run of headline roles. He starred in ‘The Batman’ and led independent titles such as ‘Good Time’ and ‘The Lighthouse’, while also appearing in ‘Tenet’ and ‘High Life’.

Pattinson has collaborated with directors known for distinctive styles, including the Safdie Brothers, Claire Denis, and Robert Eggers. He frequently alternates between studio films and smaller projects, and he has producer credits that support emerging filmmakers.

15. Zac Efron

Zac Efron moved from early musical roles into comedies and sports drama. His filmography includes ‘Neighbors’, ‘Baywatch’, and ‘The Greatest Showman’, along with the wrestling drama ‘The Iron Claw’. He has also worked in streaming nonfiction through the travel and wellness series ‘Down to Earth with Zac Efron’.

Efron’s credits span theatrical releases and limited series, and he has taken on biographical roles such as Ted Bundy in ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’. He continues to work across comedy, drama, and music driven films while maintaining a presence in television projects.

14. Richard Madden

Richard Madden built momentum with ‘Game of Thrones’ and followed it with the contemporary thriller series ‘Bodyguard’, for which he won a Golden Globe for television acting. His film credits include ‘Cinderella’, ‘Rocketman’, and the Marvel entry ‘Eternals’.

Madden trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has stage experience with the Globe Theatre. He has voiced animated projects and performed in radio dramas, adding audio performance to a resume that already covers fantasy, espionage, and superhero titles.

13. Kit Harington

Kit Harington became widely known through ‘Game of Thrones’, earning multiple award nominations for his portrayal of Jon Snow. His film credits include ‘Pompeii’, ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ as a voice role, and appearances in period pieces and thrillers.

Harington trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and has performed in notable stage productions in the West End. He has participated in anthology and limited series work, expanding his range beyond fantasy and returning to classical theater between screen roles.

12. John Boyega

John Boyega led entries in the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy and continued with acclaimed television work in ‘Small Axe’, winning a Golden Globe for supporting performance. His films include ‘Attack the Block’, ‘Detroit’, and the science fiction comedy ‘They Cloned Tyrone’.

Boyega founded an independent production company and has served as a producer on select projects. He stays active in both franchise and social issue storytelling, moving between ensemble casts and lead roles in features and limited series.

11. Lakeith Stanfield

Lakeith Stanfield’s credits combine independent films and major releases. He earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and appeared in ‘Get Out’, ‘Sorry to Bother You’, and ‘Knives Out’. On television he played Darius in ‘Atlanta’.

Stanfield works in music under the name Htiekal and has contributed to soundtracks and voice roles. He often joins filmmaker driven projects and has executive producer credits, helping to develop stories that sit alongside his acting work.

10. Logan Lerman

Logan Lerman began as a child and teen actor and carried that experience into adult roles. He starred in the ‘Percy Jackson’ films and led ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’. His later work includes the series ‘Hunters’ and appearances in ensemble dramas such as ‘Fury’.

Lerman plays multiple instruments and has producer credits on select projects. He continues to alternate between streaming series and theatrical films, often moving from action to coming of age stories while maintaining a steady schedule of releases.

9. Miles Teller

Miles Teller’s breakout came with ‘Whiplash’, followed by lead roles in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, ‘Bleed for This’, and ‘Only the Brave’. He has worked in comedies, dramas, and action films, and he appeared in the limited series ‘Too Old to Die Young’.

Teller studied at New York University and has theater and short film experience. He has also produced features and mini series, partnering with directors on projects that require intensive musical preparation or athletic training.

8. Taron Egerton

Taron Egerton led ‘Rocketman’ as Elton John and won a Golden Globe for the role. His credits include the ‘Kingsman’ films, ‘Eddie the Eagle’, and the crime miniseries ‘Black Bird’, which brought additional award recognition for television acting.

Egerton trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and has stage work in London. He has voice roles in animation through ‘Sing’ and balances action films with biographical and limited series projects, adding producer roles on select titles.

7. Nicholas Hoult

Nicholas Hoult’s career stretches from child roles to franchise and television leads. His credits include ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, ‘The Favourite’, and the series ‘The Great’, for which he earned nominations at major television award shows. He also appeared in ‘Renfield’ and the ensemble satire ‘The Menu’.

Hoult has stage experience and early training in Britain, and he has filmed in both the UK and the United States throughout his career. He continues to switch between comedy and historical drama while contributing to voice projects and animated features.

6. Dev Patel

Dev Patel debuted in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and later earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Lion’, winning the BAFTA for supporting actor. His filmography includes ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’ and ‘The Green Knight’, along with the action feature ‘Monkey Man’ which he also directed and co wrote.

Patel’s work includes producing and collaborating with directors across independent and studio backed films. He has experience in television through ‘Skins’ and ‘The Newsroom’ and continues to develop projects that combine travel, folklore, and contemporary settings.

5. Jeremy Allen White

Jeremy Allen White led the FX series ‘The Bear’ and won major television awards including a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe for his performance. His earlier career includes a long run on ‘Shameless’, where he played Lip Gallagher across many seasons.

White appears in features such as ‘The Iron Claw’ and ‘Afterschool’, and he has trained in dance and stage performance. He maintains a mix of television and film work and has served as a producer on episodes of ‘The Bear’.

4. Barry Keoghan

Barry Keoghan earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ and won a BAFTA for supporting actor. His filmography includes ‘Dunkirk’, ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’, and ‘Saltburn’, along with a role in ‘Eternals’.

Keoghan has participated in Irish and UK independent films and moved into global releases without leaving smaller projects behind. He frequently joins director led ensembles and continues to take parts that span war films, psychological drama, and contemporary satire.

3. Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Aaron Taylor-Johnson won a Golden Globe for ‘Nocturnal Animals’ and first gained attention with ‘Kick-Ass’. He has credits in ‘Anna Karenina’, ‘Godzilla’, and ‘Bullet Train’, and he has worked in ensemble war and thriller films.

Taylor-Johnson began acting as a child and trained in stage performance in England. He has collaborated with directors including Joe Wright and David Leitch and continues to combine action roles with literary adaptations and character driven projects.

2. Daniel Kaluuya

Daniel Kaluuya won the Academy Award for supporting actor for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. His credits include ‘Get Out’, ‘Black Panther’, and ‘Widows’, along with early work in British television such as ‘Skins’ and ‘Black Mirror’.

Kaluuya has writing and producing experience and stage work at the Royal Court Theatre. He continues to work in thriller, drama, and superhero films and has lent his voice to animated features, expanding his range across formats.

1. Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan built leading film roles with ‘Fruitvale Station’, ‘Creed’, and ‘Black Panther’. He expanded into directing with ‘Creed III’ while continuing to headline both franchise and standalone projects across sports drama and action.

Jordan runs a production banner that develops film and television projects and partners with studios on new talent initiatives. He has voice roles in animation and video games and maintains a presence in streaming and theatrical releases through collaborations with established directors.

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