Aug 26, 1991
Virgo
New York City, NY
33 years old
N/A
N/A
TV Actor
🧑🎤 Dylan O'Brien: From YouTube Beginnings to Hollywood Stardom
🧒 Early Life and Background
Dylan Rhodes O'Brien was born on August 26, 1991, in New York City, New York, USA. He is the son of Lisa Rhodes, a former actress who also ran an acting school, and Patrick O'Brien, a camera operator. Dylan has an older sister named Julia. He spent his early years in Springfield Township, New Jersey, before moving with his family to Hermosa Beach, California, at the age of 12. His heritage includes Irish descent from his father and Italian, English, and Spanish ancestry from his mother.
🎬 Career Beginnings
Initially aspiring to pursue sports broadcasting, Dylan's career path shifted when he began creating and uploading short comedic videos to his YouTube channel, "moviekidd826." These videos garnered attention and led to his discovery by a producer, which opened the door to his acting career. He made his acting debut in the web series "Sweety High" in 2010 and appeared in the independent film "High Road" in 2011.
🌟 Breakthrough with "Teen Wolf"
Dylan's breakthrough role came in 2011 when he was cast as Stiles Stilinski in the MTV supernatural drama series "Teen Wolf." His portrayal of the witty and loyal best friend of the protagonist earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. He remained with the show until its conclusion in 2017, appearing in all six seasons.
🎥 Transition to Film
Building on his television success, Dylan transitioned to film with notable roles including:
Thomas in the "Maze Runner" trilogy (2014–2018), which solidified his status as a leading actor in young adult science fiction films.
Stuart Twombly in "The Internship" (2013), a comedy featuring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
Caleb Holloway in "Deepwater Horizon" (2016), a disaster film based on true events.
Mitch Rapp in "American Assassin" (2017), an action thriller where he portrayed a CIA black ops recruit.
Joel Dawson in "Love and Monsters" (2020), a post-apocalyptic adventure film.
🎭 Recent and Upcoming Projects
Dylan has continued to diversify his roles with performances in:
"The Outfit" (2022), a crime drama where he played Richie Boyle.
"Not Okay" (2022), a satirical film exploring the pitfalls of social media fame.
"All Too Well: The Short Film" (2021), directed by Taylor Swift, where he starred alongside Sadie Sink.
"Ponyboi" (2024), a film based on the 2019 short of the same name.
"Saturday Night" (2024), a biopic about the origins of "Saturday Night Live," in which he portrays Dan Aykroyd.
🩺 Personal Challenges and Advocacy
In 2016, while filming "Maze Runner: The Death Cure," Dylan suffered severe injuries from a stunt accident, including facial fractures and a concussion. The incident halted production and required a lengthy recovery period. Dylan has since spoken about the importance of on-set safety and advocating for oneself in the industry.
🎶 Musical Endeavors
Beyond acting, Dylan is musically inclined. He has served as the drummer for the rock band Slow Kids at Play and played piano from a young age.
❤️ Personal Life
Dylan dated actress Britt Robertson from 2011 to 2018. He has also been linked to singer Gracie Abrams and actress Sabrina Carpenter. As of January 2023, he is in a relationship with model Rachael Lange.
Dylan O'Brien's journey from creating YouTube videos to starring in major film and television productions showcases his versatility and dedication to his craft. His resilience in the face of personal challenges and commitment to authentic storytelling continue to endear him to audiences worldwide.