Photo Credit: Getty Images
Welcome to Deuxmoi and Blakely Thornton’s 15 under 40. This is our hit list of Hollywood heavy hitters who are shifting both the culture and box office receipts!
1. Ayo Edebiri
Age: 28 years old
Most Notably Known for: Serving up gourmet deliciousness with a side of sass as chef Sydney Adamu in Hulu’s The Bear. She also played Ayesha in Abbott Elementary and was part of the Gen Z favorite flick Bottoms.
2. Barry Keoghan
Age: 31
Most Notably Known For: When he’s not drinking bathwater as Olivier Quick in Saltburn, you can watch him in The Banshees of Inisherin and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. Barry has quickly become a Young Hollywood fixture on the scene.
3. Charles Melton
Age: 33
Most Notably Known for: Whether it's Archie Andrews’ frenemy in CW’s Riverdale or the ever-so-complex husband Joe in May December, Charles has some serious range!
4. Cynthia Erivo
Age: 37
Most Notably Known For: Cynthia rose to fame starring in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. She’ll be playing Elphaba, the misunderstood green heroine, in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked.
5. Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Age: 38
Most Notably Known for: Comedically conjuring up connections between the living and dead in the Broadway show Ghost in London or Detective Williams in Only Murders in the Building. You can also catch her as Jocelyn's quick-witted manager in Max’s The Idol.
6. Greta Lee
Age: 41 (our under 40 exception!)
Most Notably Known for: You might recognize her as Nadia's sardonic best friend in Netflix’s Russian Dolls or ambitious go-getter Stella on the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show. In Past Lives, Greta Lee portrays Nora, a playwright grappling with her Korean heritage and a rekindled connection with her childhood sweetheart.
7. Hunter Schafer
Age: 25
Most Notably Known For: Portraying Jules, a transgender teen trying to find her place, in Max’s Euphoria and in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Beyond acting, she's is a talented artist, model, and has even directed music videos, showcasing her multifaceted creativity.
8. Jenna Ortega
Age: 21
Most Notably Known For: Captivating audiences with her dry witted portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series Wednesday. She’s starred in Scream, Scream VI, and most recently, the provocative film Miller’s Girl. However, we most eagerly wait to see her portrayal of Astrid Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
9. Jonathan Bailey
Age: 36
Most Notably Known for: Before he stole our hearts as Anthony Bridgerton, Bailey has a rather impressive theatrical resume dating back to 1995 with the Royal Shakespeare Company. You’re not going to want to miss him in the upcoming Wicked film adaptations!
10. Lily Gladstone
Age: 37
Most Notably Known For: Besides being the first Native American actress to win a Golden Globe for her performance in Killers of the Flower Moon, Lily also appears in Hulu’s Under the Bridge and Showtime’s Billions.
11. Ncuti Gatwa
Age: 31
Most Notably Known for: Being fabulously flamboyant (and beautifully introspective) as Eric in Netflix’s Sex Education. He also demonstrates a love for adventure and undeniable charm as the Fifteenth Doctor on BBC’s Doctor Who. Ncuti’s acting range even handed him a role as a Ken in the Barbie film.
12. Quinta Brunson
Age: 34
Most Notably Known For: Hitting the books as creator, executive producer, co-writer, and starring in (what can’t this woman do?!) the hit ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary. Quinta playfully portrays the enthusiastic second-grade teacher Janine Teagues.
13. Taylor Russell
Age: 29
Most Notably Known For: Grappling with her cannibalistic urges as Maren in Bones and All. She was also featured in the films Waves and Escape Room (2021) and most recently starred in the Off Broadway show The Effect.
14. Timothée Chalamet
Age: 28
Most Notably Known for: Navigating a treacherous desert planet as Paul in the Dune franchise. But, we’d be remiss to also note his achievements in Call Me By Your Name, Wonka, Little Women, Lady Bird, and many more blockbuster hits.
15. Zendaya
Age: 27
Most Notably Known for: Ditching classes at Highland High School as Rue on Max’s Euphoria, battling the demons of her addiction and yearning for connection. Since her 2010 Disney Channel Debut, she’s graced the silver screen in projects like Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Greatest Showman, the Dune franchise, and most recently Challengers.