As a total cinema lover, I’m really excited about the new wave of young actors. It’s amazing to see how much they’ve already accomplished – many have impressive lists of credits before even turning twenty! They’re not just appearing in things, they’re *leading* TV shows, starring in big movies, and even giving voice to popular animated characters. We’re talking about roles in critically-acclaimed dramas, feel-good family entertainment, and huge franchise films that everyone around the world is watching. It’s clear this generation is already making a huge impact.
All the actors listed here are under 20 years old and have already appeared in significant film or TV roles. You’ll find examples of them as leads, in important supporting parts, and doing voice work for popular shows and movies. This list focuses on confirmed on-screen work, including character names, the networks they’ve appeared on, and projects they’re currently involved with, so you can easily remember where you’ve seen them and what they’re doing next.
Jalyn Hall
Jalyn Hall is known for his roles in several popular projects. He plays Dillon James in the series ‘All American‘ and powerfully portrayed Emmett Till in the film ‘Till’. More recently, he starred as Josh Bell in the Disney+ series ‘The Crossover’, based on the novel by Kwame Alexander.
Known for roles in films like ‘Bruiser’ and ‘Shaft’, and TV shows including ‘Family Reunion’ and ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’, Hall has been acting since he was a child. He continues to appear in both movies and television series, taking on leading and supporting characters.
Lonnie Chavis
Lonnie Chavis is an actor best known for his role as young Randall Pearson in the popular TV series ‘This Is Us’. He’s also been in the thriller movie ‘The Boy Behind the Door’ and had a part in ‘Magic Camp’.
Chavis has appeared in shows like ‘Supergirl’ and ‘White Famous’. He started modeling and acting when he was young, and he’s been part of award-nominated casts, including the one from ‘This Is Us’.
JD McCrary
JD McCrary is an actor known for voicing Young Simba in the 2019 film ‘The Lion King’, where he worked with Donald Glover and Beyoncé. He’s also appeared on television, playing Kenny Payne in ‘American Soul’ and having a recurring role on ‘Tyler Perry’s The Paynes’.
Besides acting, McCrary is also a singer and has released music with several well-known record labels. He’s appeared on TV shows like ‘Little Big Shots’ and ‘K.C. Undercover’, helping him gain a wider fanbase.
Dallas Dupree Young
Dallas Dupree Young plays Kenny Payne in ‘Cobra Kai’, offering a fresh student viewpoint to the show. He’s also made guest appearances on popular series like ‘The Good Place’, ‘Shameless’, and ‘Mixed-ish’.
Young began his acting career with commercials and small roles, eventually landing consistent parts on TV shows. His current role on ‘Cobra Kai’ is part of a main cast filmed in Georgia and watched by audiences around the world.
Evan Alex
Evan Alex starred in Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’, playing both Jason Wilson and Pluto. He’s also appeared in the TV shows ‘Kidding’ and ‘Man with a Plan’, and has been featured in music videos for popular musicians.
Alex started his career with short films and TV shows before transitioning to larger feature films. He consistently works on both funny and serious screen projects.
Keith L. Williams
I’m a big fan of Keith L. Williams! I first noticed him in the hilarious movie ‘Good Boys,’ and then I really enjoyed watching him as the lead in Nickelodeon’s ‘The Astronauts.’ It’s also really cool that he’s been lending his voice to the animated series ‘The Last Kids on Earth,’ bringing a book series I love to life!
I’ve been keeping an eye on Williams for a while now, and he’s building a really solid career. You might recognize him from appearances on shows like ‘Teachers’ and ‘The Goldbergs’. He didn’t just jump into major roles, though – he started with commercials and has consistently added to his resume with both on-screen and voiceover work. It’s been great to see his steady growth!
Isaiah Russell-Bailey
Isaiah Russell-Bailey is known for his roles in the Netflix series ‘Family Reunion’ where he played Shaka McKellan, and the action movie ‘We Can Be Heroes’, in which he also appeared in the sequel.
I’ve spotted Russell-Bailey in a couple of shows I like – ‘Criminal Minds’ and ‘S.W.A.T.’ – usually in guest roles. Apparently, he started out doing print work and commercials, and he’s actually a trained dancer! He then moved into TV and film, landing some great leading roles when he was younger.
Ethan Hutchison
Ethan Hutchison is known for his role as Blue Bordelon in the TV series ‘Queen Sugar’. He’s also appeared in ‘The Path’ and the film ‘American Refugee’.
Hutchison began his acting career as a child and became a familiar face on television dramas. He’s still working in TV, but is also now taking on roles in movies.
Ja’Siah Young
Ja’Siah Young is known for playing Dion Warren in the Netflix series ‘Raising Dion’, where he portrayed a boy learning about his superpowers. He’s also made appearances in the TV shows ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ and ‘Billy on the Street’.
Ja’Siah Young started modeling and acting when he was very young, appearing in commercials and music videos. He became well-known for playing the main character in the science fiction show ‘Raising Dion,’ which was produced by Michael B. Jordan.
Christian Isaiah
Christian Isaiah is known for playing Liam Gallagher in the later seasons of ‘Shameless’. Before that, he had roles in ‘Unsolved’ and appeared in several commercials and short films.
I’ve been really impressed watching Isaiah’s career grow! He’s a really versatile performer – he does voice work, modeling, and acts on camera. I especially enjoyed his work on ‘Shameless’; he was a big part of how the show wrapped up, with some really important storylines.
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Thaddeus J. Mixson is an actor known for playing Fahmarr McElrathbey in the movie ‘Safety,’ which is based on a real story from Clemson University football. He also appears in the new version of ‘The Wonder Years’ and has been in other projects, including ‘South of Heaven’.
Mixson began his career with short films and appearances on television shows. He consistently lands roles in movies and series that often combine themes of sports, family life, and compelling drama.
Elisha Williams
Elisha Williams played the role of Dean Williams in the ABC reboot of ‘The Wonder Years’. Before becoming an actor, he had a background in broadcasting and performing music, and he also provided voice work for animated shows.
Williams shot the series in Atlanta, using a cast of both adults and children. He’s still active in television and also continues to do voice-over work.
Christian J. Simon
As a big fan of animation and Disney shows, I’ve really enjoyed Christian J. Simon’s work! You might recognize him from ‘Sydney to the Max’ on Disney Channel. But he’s also a voice actor I’ve been following – he’s the voice of Kai Brightstar in the adorable ‘Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures’, and he’s lent his voice to characters in ‘The Chicken Squad’ and ‘The Casagrandes’ too. He’s quickly becoming a go-to voice for some great projects!
Simon began his career with commercials and live performances, and eventually landed consistent roles in television series. He’s also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to popular animated shows for preschoolers and children on major networks and streaming platforms.
Keivonn Woodard
Keivonn Woodard, who is deaf, played the character Sam in the first season of HBO’s ‘The Last of Us.’ He’s also an actor in theater and short films.
Woodard actively promotes and increases the visibility of deaf performers in traditional entertainment. He continues to work on independent films showcased at festivals and also makes appearances on television.
Jahzir Bruno
Jahzir Bruno is known for his roles in several popular projects. He played the main character in ‘The Witches,’ was in ‘The Christmas Chronicles 2,’ and currently voices Clyde McBride in ‘The Really Loud House’ and its spin-offs.
Bruno started his career with commercials and TV appearances before landing roles in big-budget movies. He still acts in both Christmas films and shows designed for children and families.
Amir O’Neil
Amir O’Neil is an actor known for his role on the NBC comedy ‘Marlon.’ He also frequently provides voice work and makes guest appearances on various children’s TV shows, including animated series on Nickelodeon.
I’ve noticed that O’Neil often collaborates with his twin brother – sometimes they’re working on completely different things, and other times their projects actually connect. He’s really versatile, though – he doesn’t just do TV stuff. He’s also done commercials, funny online sketches, and all sorts of short videos.
Amari O’Neil
Amari O’Neil is an actor known for his role as Cory Long in the reboot of ‘The Wonder Years’. He’s also made appearances in the TV shows ‘Station 19’ and ‘All American’.
O’Neil started his career as a child model, then began acting with his twin brother. He’s still actively working, appearing in shows on both network television and streaming services.
Micah Abbey
Micah Abbey is the voice of Donatello in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ and other related projects. He’s also acted in episodes of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and has worked with Nickelodeon.
Abbey began his career with small parts in commercials and TV shows before becoming part of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cast. He’s also done voice acting for video games and materials promoting the animated movie.
Braelyn Rankins
Braelyn Rankins is known for his role as Dylan on the show ‘Raven’s Home’, where he’s appeared in several seasons. He’s also been in the film ‘The 5th Quarter’ and various independent movies.
Rankins started his acting career in community theater and student films before transitioning to television. He’s now gaining experience with roles in Disney projects and family-friendly movies.
Terrence Little Gardenhigh
Terrence Little Gardenhigh is known for his roles in the Netflix movie ‘Coffee & Kareem’ and the Nickelodeon series ‘Warped!’. He’s also made appearances on ‘Just Roll With It’ and various other shows on Disney and Nickelodeon.
Gardenhigh began his career acting in local theater and honed his skills with improv, which helped him land television roles. He consistently finds work in comedy and family-friendly shows on both streaming services and cable networks.
Chase W. Dillon
Chase W. Dillon acted as Homer in the limited series ‘The Underground Railroad’, sharing scenes with the main character, Cora. He then played Gabbro in Disney’s ‘Haunted Mansion’ as part of the film’s main cast.
Dillon has appeared in television shows like ‘First Wives Club’ and ‘That Damn Michael Che’. He started his career with commercials and short films, and has since moved on to larger roles in both dramatic and family-friendly movies and TV shows in the U.S. He continues to be a working actor in American productions.
Nathaniel Logan McIntyre
Nathaniel Logan McIntyre is known for his role as Seren in the drama series ‘David Makes Man,’ where he acted alongside a group of young performers in a South Florida setting. He also appeared as Theo in the Disney movie ‘Magic Camp,’ expanding his experience from television to film.
Before landing larger parts, McIntyre appeared in guest spots on shows like ‘The Kids Are Alright’ and ‘Criminal Minds’. He started with theater training and now consistently finds roles in both family-friendly projects and realistic stories about growing up.
Jaylin Webb
Jaylin Webb gained recognition for his role as Jalen in the film ‘Armageddon Time,’ acting alongside a cast of established actors in a story set in the past. He’s also been on television, appearing in both guest roles and supporting parts that have helped launch him into more significant film work.
Webb started his acting career with small roles and short films before appearing in larger movies. He consistently takes on diverse projects, from independent films showcased at festivals to more widely released, mainstream dramas, steadily growing his experience.
Danny Boyd Jr.
Danny Boyd Jr. acted in ‘Bruised’, a movie about an athlete making a comeback. He’s also been in several TV shows, including limited series and roles with significant dramatic arcs.
Boyd started his career with commercials and short student films, eventually working on bigger projects. He consistently takes on roles in both movies and TV, prioritizing stories that center on compelling characters, families, and communities.
Jalon Christian
Jalon Christian played Hurut in ‘Black Adam’, a key character in the film’s backstory. He also took on the role of Jordan in ‘A Journal for Jordan’, which was based on a true story.
Christian began his career with short films and TV appearances. Now, he works on both big-screen movies and streaming shows, often moving between exciting action films and heartwarming family stories.
Peyton R. Perrine III
I’m really enjoying ‘That Girl Lay Lay’, and one of the actors who consistently delivers is Peyton Perrine III. He plays Marky, and he’s become such a key part of the show’s family dynamic. He’s been in multiple seasons, and a lot of the episodes revolve around his character’s life at school and home – it really grounds the storylines.
Perrine started his career doing commercials and small parts in comedy shows before landing a role on a Nickelodeon series. He still works on sitcoms and has appeared as a guest star on other shows for children and families.
Rodney L Jones III
Rodney L. Jones III appears alongside the main actors in ‘Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.’ He’s also been on American television shows, with both recurring and one-time guest appearances.
Jones began his acting career with local productions and smaller casting opportunities. He’s now consistently landing parts in movies and high-quality TV shows, showcasing his versatility in both dramatic and comedic roles.
Jecobi Swain
As a TV watcher, I’ve noticed Jecobi Swain popping up in a couple of shows I enjoy. He played Kelvin on ‘Home Economics’ – you know, he was one of the kids at school throughout the series. And I also recognize him from the new ‘Wonder Years’; he’s part of that group of neighborhood friends and shows up in a few episodes, which is cool.
Swain started his career with commercials and short films before quickly transitioning to television networks. He balanced work on sitcoms with voiceover projects and independent films shown at festivals, creating a diverse range of work that includes both comedy and heartwarming family stories.
Ian Foreman
I first noticed Ian Foreman in ‘Let the Right One In’ – he played Isaiah Cole, and really stood out as this kid from New York who gets caught up in everything. He was great opposite the main character. I also saw him pop up in an episode of ‘The Equalizer’, which was a bit different, being a more standard procedural show, but he was solid in it.
Foreman began his career with stage training before transitioning to television and film. He consistently finds work on genre shows and in dramatic guest appearances, often in roles that emphasize city life and compelling characters.
Ethan William Childress
Ethan Childress was a series regular on ‘Mixed-ish’, playing Johan Johnson throughout the show. He also made guest appearances on several popular network comedies and dramas, appearing in individual episodes over multiple seasons.
Childress began his career doing commercials and performing in youth theater before moving into television. He’s currently auditioning for both traditional sitcoms and more modern comedy-dramas, and also has experience with voice acting.
Ozie Nzeribe
I really enjoyed Ozie Nzeribe’s performance as Royale in ‘Swagger’. The show does a fantastic job of capturing the world of youth basketball, clearly inspired by the NBA. He’s a key part of the team throughout the series, and they really delve into not just the games, but the pressures these kids face – from family stuff to the whole college recruiting process. It’s a well-rounded look at the lives of these young athletes.
Zee, also known as Nzeribe, is a musician and actor. He makes music while also appearing in TV shows, including guest roles in dramas and shows geared towards teens. He’s actively working on expanding his acting career.
TJ Wright
TJ Wright portrayed Sekani Carter in ‘The Hate U Give’, and was featured in important family moments leading up to the film’s most intense scenes. He has also appeared in several independent films and made guest appearances on TV shows.
Wright started his acting career by attending open auditions and trained with coaches specializing in serious roles. He’s still looking for parts in movies and shows based on books, and especially enjoys projects about families and communities.
Thomas Boyce
Thomas Boyce was in ‘Crater,’ a sci-fi adventure film centered around a group of friends living on the moon. He plays one of the teenage characters and acts alongside the main cast in both exciting and heartwarming moments.
Boyce began his career with commercials and small parts on TV shows. He’s now focused on creating exciting family adventures and has also appeared as a guest star on several shows made for streaming audiences.
Aaron Kingsley Adom Jr.
Aaron Kingsley Adom Jr. played a young Terry in the movie ‘A Thousand and One’, helping to show what the character’s family was like. He also appears in commercials and has been a guest actor on various TV shows, all filmed in the US.
Adom Jr. started his career in modeling before moving into acting, where he received training focused on realistic performances. He now regularly appears in independent films and television dramas, often playing important roles within family storylines.
Aven Courtney
Aven Courtney portrayed Terry throughout middle school in the film ‘A Thousand and One’, growing with the character as it evolved. He’s also appeared in short films and TV series that explore the experiences of teenagers.
As I’ve been watching his career, it’s clear Courtney really honed his skills in front of the camera, especially with things like accents and different ways of speaking. Now he’s landing bigger roles and consistently appearing in interesting films that get noticed at festivals, and he’s even become a regular on some scripted TV shows that really dig into city life and the stories happening there. It’s exciting to see him grow!
Jasun Jabbar Wardlaw Jr.
I’ve been really impressed with Jasun Jabbar Wardlaw Jr.’s work lately. He’s a standout on ‘Swagger,’ where he plays a basketball player dealing with all the typical pressures of school and the team. Plus, he was also in ‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga,’ which showed he can really handle a role in a period piece too. It’s cool to see an actor with that kind of range.
Wardlaw Jr. began his career creating music videos and short films before transitioning to television series. He now focuses on dramatic shows that blend music and sports with stories about young people growing up, and he’s developing his career across various streaming services.
Divine Love Konadu-Sun
Divine Love Konadu-Sun played Toussaint in the final scenes of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. He also appears in commercials and short films across North America.
Before landing his first movie role, Konadu-Sun gained experience through print and video work. He’s now actively auditioning for parts in movies and TV shows, with a particular interest in playing adventurous and relatable characters aimed at middle-grade audiences and families.
Ramone Hamilton
Ramone Hamilton is a voice actor who provides the voices for main and supporting characters in animated TV shows, notably including ‘The Loud House’ and its specials. He records his parts for each episode during recording sessions.
In addition to his other work, Hamilton takes on guest roles in family-friendly sitcoms and shows on streaming platforms. He also keeps honing his voice acting skills and regularly adds to his resume with roles in animated kids’ shows and live-action comedies.
Maceo Smedley
I really loved seeing Maceo Smedley as young Tyrone on ‘Cloak & Dagger’! He was fantastic in those flashback scenes that showed us how the main character became who he is. Besides that, he’s been in a bunch of other TV shows filmed here in the States, which is awesome!
I’ve been following Smedley’s career for a while now, and it’s cool to see how he started out acting in Texas and worked his way up through regional auditions. He’s really found a niche in the superhero world and family-focused stories, and he’s comfortable working on everything from traditional single-camera shows to those limited-series formats we’re seeing everywhere now.
Let us know in the comments which performances by these young actors you love the most, and suggest any other rising stars we should consider!
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2025-10-09 03:50