In the world of entertainment, many young actors have achieved stardom at such young ages and have enjoyed super success before even making it to 30. With notable roles on television and outstanding performances in blockbuster movies, these 17 actors have demonstrated no age bar for talent because they captured audiences' minds and shaped careers through these memorable characters or critically acclaimed performances. This list presents the stars who rose to prominence in their 20s, showing their versatility, persistence, and great promise for the coming years.
1. Zendaya
In her early teens, Zendaya made her debut as a Disney Channel star. She later found her recognition for playing MJ in the Spider-Man series. But acting as Rue in Euphoria is what finally established her as a significant talent. Winning an Emmy when she was only 24 years old made Zendaya one of the youngest and most influential stars in Hollywood. Alongside acting, she is also a fashion icon and advocate for social justice, breaking all the barriers for women of color in the industry.
2. Timothée Chalamet
He stole the world's heart when he made an impressive break in Call Me by Your Name (2017). The young Chalamet, at the tender age of 22 years, earned him a nomination for the Academy Award from this performance. His diverse roles in movies such as Dune, Little Women, and Lady Bird helped put Chalamet at a peak as one of the world's most in-demand talents today. He is unmistakable in his style and indie appeal; at the same time, he continues to take bold, varied roles that challenge his range.
3. Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega went from being a Disney Channel star to a household name, starring in the breakout role of Wednesday Addams for Netflix's series, Wednesday (2022). There was great praise for this odd but charming portrayal that defined her character. Seasoned as an actress even in her childhood, Jenna also featured in You and Scream (2022), furthering her hold in the realm of both horror and drama. At only 22, she is already making waves in the entertainment world with many projects lined up.
4. Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney's career got catapulted when she worked on Euphoria; however, acting came far earlier for her, as she even made an appearance in Pretty Little Liars. Her depiction of Cassie Howard saw her nominated for the Emmy during the breakout star period. Well, outside the drama productions, she is famous for working out in The White Lotus as well as in The Voyeurs. With her impressive list of credits growing daily, Sweeney is soon to become one of the most versatile young talents coming out of Hollywood.
5. Tom Holland
He is an actor who achieved stardom with the role of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he starred in multiple movies, including Captain America: Civil War in 2016. This effortless portrayal of the superhero made him a favorite of the fans. He then continued to soar to even greater heights with his roles in Chaos Walking and Uncharted. Holland remains one of the top young actors in Hollywood at just 28 years old and has made his reputation for playing action movies in addition to being capable of delivering heavy drama.
6. Florence Pugh
While she started out with a brilliant performance in The Falling in 2014, the role in Midsommar (2019) quickly put her on everyone's map. This did not go unnoticed since Little Women in 2019 saw her play the character of Amy March with much acclaim that earned an Oscar nomination. Pugh continues to gain momentum, both career-wise and otherwise, with movies such as Black Widow (2021) and Don't Worry Darling (2022). She is one of the most talented young actresses in Hollywood, respected for her versatility.
7. Millie Bobby Brown
She became a global sensation playing the role of Eleven in the Netflix series Stranger Things, having gained immense popularity at such a young age as 12 years old and achieving critical acclaim. The same talent has also been exhibited in the Enola Holmes franchise, where Brown is showing that she's more than just a child star—she's one of the best talents in Hollywood. She is currently in her 20s and continues to build a career in acting and production. Her own production company, PCMA Productions, has already made waves.
8. Cailee Spaeny
While her appearances in Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) and On the Basis of Sex (2018) were certainly breakout roles that defined Cailee Spaeny, her recent Mare of Easttown performance, in 2021, brought her onto the radar in full force. In 2023, Spaeny has taken a lot of plaudits for portraying Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola's Priscilla. Celebrated for natural talent and versatility, Spaeny is one of the latest talents who has been very promising for both indie films and mainstream films.
9. Daisy Edgar-Jones
Daisy Edgar-Jones rocketed to stardom from Normal People (2020), in which she took the role of Marianne—earning her critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination. Her vulnerability as well as emotional depth stole a lot of hearts. Since this role, she has appeared in films such as Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) and Fresh (2022), making her one of the most prominent young actresses in television and movies.
10. Jharrel Jerome
Jharrel Jerome came into the spotlight with his heart-wrenching performance in When They See Us (2019) as an Emmy Award winner. He played the role of Korey Wise, a wrongly convicted one among the Central Park Five, with which his talents were so magnanimously expressed and admired throughout the industry. Since then, Jerome has starred in films like Concrete Cowboy (2020) and Unstoppable (2024), demonstrating that his early success was not a fluke. He's currently 27 and among the highly respected young actors of Hollywood.
11. Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning is a real child star who has been acting since she was just 3 years old. She stepped into the limelight with some of her movies, like Super 8 (2011), but she started rising to fame with Maleficent (2014), The Neon Demon (2016), and Mary Shelley (2017). Her portrayal of Princess Aurora in Maleficent for Disney played an important role in boosting her career. With her charm, grace, and versatility, Fanning is a very promising actress of this generation.
12. Emma Corrin
Emma Corrin has made such an impact in the role of Princess Diana in The Crown (2020) that it won them the Golden Globe and several other nominations. Their fragile yet powerful performance has really caught everyone's attention since then; they have made very bold moves in their career with the films My Policeman (2022) and Lady Chatterley's Lover (2022). With such fearlessness in choosing bold roles, Corrin is quickly growing to be one of the most exciting young talents from Hollywood.
13. Amandla Stenberg
Amandla Stenberg started her career with their role in Columbiana (2011) as Cataleya. Her part of Rue in The Hunger Games (2012) gained quite a lot of attention, but it was with The Hate U Give in 2018 that made her a big shot in Hollywood. Stenberg is famous for her activism and choice of thought-provoking roles, impressing everyone with Everything Everything in 2017 and The Eddy in 2020. And, of course, Stenberg is going to remain one of the key faces in cinema for quite some time to come with her diversified and socially aware character choices.
14. Rachel Sennott
Rachel's breakout role in Shiva Baby (2020) as Danielle left an unforgettable mark due to her sharp comedic timing and relatable portrayal of a neurotic college student. She also made the most of her Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) performance as she effortlessly balanced humor and tension. Unapologetic and authentic is how Sennott has carved out her approach to comedy, making her one of Hollywood's most exciting young voices. She has made a name for herself outside of comedy by pursuing dramatic endeavors with her projects like I Used to Be Funny (2023).
15. Justice Smith
Justice Smith burst into the big leagues after the film Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in 2018, but his more remarkable work came through in Detective Pikachu in 2019 and The Voyeurs in 2021. His comedic humor mixed with dramatic depth has made him an actor worth following. His brilliance continues to shine further, as already reflected in his movies such as All the Bright Places in 2020 and The American Society of Magical Negroes in 2024. Smith's ability to transition between genres with ease makes him a future Hollywood star.
16. Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel rose to prominence for his portrayal of Harry Potter. Daniel Radcliffe was the biggest sensation ever when he wasn't more than 20 years old and then went on to have multiple films like Swiss Army Man (2016) and Now You See Me 2 (2016). Despite his reputation as one of the actors who loves taking on strange, eccentric characters, Daniel Radcliffe has shown that he is more than just the famous Harry Potter. With an exceptional range, he continues to prove himself in both television and film, marking him as among the most intriguing young actors of his generation.
17. Ella Purnell
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Ella Purnell's major breakthrough came with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016), but her career rapidly accelerated with Army of the Dead (2021). She has built her filmography steadily in such films as Access All Areas (2017) and Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-2024), and in 2023, she cemented her position as a new star with her scintillating performance in Yellowjackets. Known for her robust, multi-dimensional performances, Purnell has been recognized as one of Hollywood's captivating talents.
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