Actors Who Aged Way Up Or Down For A Role
When playing characters of wildly different ages, actors often make us forget about their real-life years. Whether aging up to portray wise elders or down to pass as teenagers, these actors showed us that talent, dedication, and a little movie magic can make age just a number.
Justin Prentice As Bryce Walker, 13 Reasons Why
Justin Prentice delivered a chilling performance as high school antagonist Bryce Walker. The actor, however, was 23 years old when he played the teenage character on Netflix’s hit show.
July Moon Productions, 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020)
Darren Barnet As Paxton Hall-Yoshida, Never Have I Ever
Darren Barnet won hearts as high school jock Paxton Hall-Yoshida in Never Have I Ever. In reality, Barnet was 29, proving charisma can sell almost any age.
3 Arts Entertainment, Never Have I Ever (2020-2023)
Rachel McAdams As Regina George, Mean Girls
Regina George might be the ultimate high school queen bee, but Rachel McAdams was 26 when she made “fetch” happen. Her wit and commanding presence made her timeless.
Jason Earles As Jackson Stewart, Hannah Montana
Jason Earles played Miley’s goofy teenage brother Jackson in Hannah Montana. At 29, Earles showed that physical comedy and youthful energy can transcend age.
Walt Disney, Hannah Montana (2006-2011)
Monique Coleman As Taylor McKessie, High School Musical
Monique Coleman played the brainy and confident Taylor McKessie in High School Musical. Surprisingly, Coleman was 27 during filming, far older than her high school character.
Walt Disney, High School Musical (2006)
Nicholas Brendon As Xander Harris, Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Nicholas Brendon brought humor and relatability to Xander Harris, Buffy’s teenage best friend. Off-screen, Brendon was 26 years old when the series began.
Mutant Enemy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Nicola Coughlan As Clare Devlin, Derry Girls
Nicola Coughlan played awkward and anxious teenager Clare Devlin with impeccable comedic timing. Coughlan, however, was 31, proving age doesn’t limit great performances.
Hat Trick Productions, Derry Girls (2018–2022)
Shirley Henderson As Moaning Myrtle, Harry Potter
At 36, Shirley Henderson became the ghostly teenage Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter. Her voice and mannerisms made Myrtle’s eternal teen angst unforgettable.
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Tom Welling As Clark Kent, Smallville
Tom Welling stepped into the role of a teenage Clark Kent learning to control his powers. While Welling looked the part, he was 24 years old when the show started.
Tollin, Smallville (2001-2017)
Jessica Szohr As Vanessa Abrams, Gossip Girl
Jessica Szohr played rebellious high schooler Vanessa Abrams with ease. At 23, she fit seamlessly into the teen drama’s young cast.
Sophie McShera As Daisy, Downton Abbey
Sophie McShera brought wide-eyed innocence to her role as Daisy, a naïve kitchen maid. Despite appearing younger, McShera was already in her late 20s when the show began.
Carnival Film & Television, Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
Mandy Moore As Rebecca Pearson, This Is Us
Mandy Moore aged up dramatically to play Rebecca Pearson across decades in This Is Us. At 32 years old, she convincingly portrayed the character’s evolution from a young mother to a wise matriarch.
Twentieth Century, This Is Us (2016–2022)
Emilia Clarke As Daenerys Targaryen, Game Of Thrones
In Game of Thrones, Daenerys starts as a teenager navigating her destiny. Emilia Clarke, though, was 25 years old when she brought the fierce character to life.
HBO, Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Stockard Channing As Rizzo, Grease
Stockard Channing was 33 when she played Rizzo, the tough yet vulnerable high schooler in Grease. Her maturity added layers to one of the most iconic teen roles ever.
Jennifer Grey As Baby, Dirty Dancing
Jennifer Grey captured Baby’s youthful innocence and rebellious spirit in Dirty Dancing. Though Baby was 17, Grey was 26, proving age is no match for talent.
Vestron Pictures, Dirty Dancing (1987)
Winona Ryder As Susanna Kaysen, Girl, Interrupted
Winona Ryder gave a raw performance as troubled 18-year-old Susanna Kaysen. In reality, Ryder was 28, showcasing emotional depth beyond her years.
Columbia, Girl, Interrupted (1999)
Emma Thompson As Elinor Dashwood, Sense And Sensibility
Emma Thompson played 19-year-old Elinor Dashwood with grace and composure. However, Thompson was 36, elevating the role with nuance.
Columbia, Sense & Sensibility (1995)
Gabrielle Union As Isis, Bring It On
Gabrielle Union was 27 when she played Isis, the fierce cheer captain leading her squad to victory. Her powerful performance made her seem right at home in a high school setting.
Beacon Pictures, Bring It On (2000)
Leonardo DiCaprio As Frank Abagnale Jr, Catch Me If You Can
Leonardo DiCaprio convincingly played teenage con artist Frank Abagnale Jr. Despite being 28, DiCaprio perfectly captured the charm and naivety of a young trickster.
DreamWorks, Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Parminder Nagra As Jess, Bend It Like Beckham
Parminder Nagra delivered a spirited performance as teenage soccer star Jess. At 27, Nagra effortlessly embodied the coming-of-age struggles of her character.
Kintop Pictures, Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Stacey Dash As Dionne, Clueless
Stacey Dash played the ultra-fashionable and sassy Dionne at 28 years old. Her performance was so believable that no one guessed the age gap.
Alan Ruck As Cameron Frye, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Alan Ruck’s portrayal of Cameron, Ferris Bueller’s anxious best friend, was spot-on. The actor, however, was 29 when he delivered the notable role
.
Paramount, Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Joe Keery As Steve Harrington, Stranger Things
Joe Keery played high school bad boy Steve Harrington at 24. His performance helped turn Steve into one of the most beloved characters in the series.
21 Laps Entertainment, Stranger Things (2016-2025)
Ross Butler As Zach Dempsey, 13 Reasons Why
Ross Butler played high school athlete Zach Dempsey with ease. At 26, he perfectly captured the character’s emotional complexity.
July Moon Productions, 13 Reasons Why (2017-2020)
Jesse Metcalfe As John Tucker, John Tucker Must Die
Jesse Metcalfe became the ultimate high school heartthrob as John Tucker. Metcalfe, however, was 28 when he played the role.
Twentieth Century, John Tucker Must Die (2006)
Gabourey Sidibe As Precious, Precious
Gabourey Sidibe gave a powerful performance as a 16-year-old girl overcoming significant trauma. Sidibe was 26, showcasing incredible emotional range.
Lee Daniels Entertainment, Precious (2009)
Chase Stokes As John B, Outer Banks
Chase Stokes played 16-year-old John B, leader of the Pogues. In real life, Stokes was 27, but his youthful energy sold the character.
Andrew Garfield As Peter Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man
Andrew Garfield brought Peter Parker to life at 28. His performance balanced teenage awkwardness with superhero bravery.
Columbia, The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Thomas Brodie-Sangster As Sam, Love Actually
Thomas Brodie-Sangster played Sam, the lovestruck child with infectious innocence. Though Sam was young, Brodie-Sangster was already 13.
Universal, Love Actually (2003)
Gloria Stuart As Elder Rose, Titanic
Gloria Stuart played Rose at 100 years old with elegance and grace. Stuart was 86, but she embodied the character’s lifetime of memories flawlessly.
Twentieth Century, Titanic (1997)
Michael J Fox As Marty McFly, Back To The Future
Michael J Fox became a household name as Marty McFly, the teenage time traveler. Fox was 24, but his youthful energy made Marty timeless.
Universal, Back to the Future (1985)
Estelle Getty As Sophia, The Golden Girls
Estelle Getty aged up to play the oldest “Golden Girl,” Sophia Petrillo. Getty was 62, younger than her co-stars but completely believable as the quick-witted elder.
Touchstone, The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
Laurence Fishburne As Clean, Apocalypse Now
Laurence Fishburne played a young soldier in Apocalypse Now at just 14 years old. His maturity and poise were far beyond his years.
American Zoetrope, Apocalypse Now (1979)
Thomas Brodie-Sangster As Benny Watts, The Queen’s Gambit
Thomas Brodie-Sangster portrayed the suave, chess-playing Benny Watts. Despite appearing youthful, he was 30 years old, playing much younger.
Flitcraft, The Queen's Gambit (2020)
Emilia Clarke As Louisa Clark, Me Before You
Emilia Clarke played a carefree young woman in Me Before You. At 29, she easily captured youthful optimism and joy.
Winona Ryder As Lelaina Pierce, Reality Bites
Winona Ryder was 22 playing a recent college graduate in Reality Bites. Her performance captured post-grad confusion.
Universal, Reality Bites (1994)
Emilia Clarke As Sarah Connor, Terminator Genisys
Emilia Clarke aged up to play a mature Sarah Connor in Terminator Genisys. At 28, she tackled a role with history and gravitas.
Paramount, Terminator Genisys (2015)
Stockard Channing, Six Degrees Of Separation
Stockard Channing once again defied her age, playing roles requiring maturity far beyond expectations. At 49 years old, she brought unmatched depth to a role that cemented her as a master of her craft.
MGM, Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
Barbra Streisand As Yentl, Yentl
Barbra Streisand aged down to play a young woman disguised as a teenage boy. Streisand was 40, delivering a transformative and heartfelt performance—but few know that to truly pull off the role, she also took inspiration from the most painful tragedy of her life.
Streisand was a baby when her father passed on, and Yentl made her think about the relationship she and her father never got to have. Streisand believes that her father’s passing heavily influenced who she is a person and was a point of inspiration while filming Yentl.
Proving That Talent Transcends Time
Age might seem like a limitation, but these actors proved it’s anything but. Whether they aged up to bring wisdom and complexity to their roles or aged down to convincingly embody youthful characters, their performances remind us of the transformative power of acting.
