Top 5 Generation Z Actors

By Irine Le

Generation Z has proven that age is in no way something that limits the amount of talent and drive someone has. While Generation Z’s cohort years are often designated as falling in between 1996 and the early 2010s, this group of young adults, teenagers, and pre-teens have taken over the acting world by storm. In this list, Adolescent Content is highlighting five Gen-Z actors who are significant, both on and off screen.

1. Zendaya

24-year-old Oakland native Zendaya has been one of Gen Z’s leading faces on screen for many years. From her childhood roles on Disney Channel, to recently becoming the youngest woman to ever win Best Drama Actress at the Emmy Awards for her role as Rue Bennett in HBO’s Euphoria, Zendaya’s talent knows no bounds. Some of her standout roles have included Rue on Euphoria, Michelle in Spider-Man: Homecoming, MJ in Spider-Man: Far From Home, and more.

2. Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi is a 20-year-old actress, model, and activist known for playing Zoey Johnson on both Black-ish and Grown-ish. In 2016, Yara was featured in TIME’s “The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016” list, and in 2017, she interviewed Hillary Clinton for Teen Vogue. Off screen, Yara is an activist who is passionate about the Black Lives Matter movement, advancing efforts to help women in STEM, and intersectional feminism. Yara has used her platforms as both an actress and activist to bring attention to these topics and remains an inspiration for young activists everywhere.

3. Caleb McLaughlin

Caleb McLaughlin is a 19-year-old actor and singer who became a household name for his role as Lucas Sinclair on Netflix’s Stranger Things. A New York native, Caleb began his career on Broadway. From 2012 to 2014, Caleb played the role of Young Simba in The Lion King on Broadway, and Bokkie in The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek in 2015.

4. Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg is a 21-year-old actress, singer, and activist, known for her amazing on-screen roles and off-screen activism. Many fans remember seeing Amandla for the first time in her remarkable role as Rue in The Hunger Games in 2012. In 2015, Amandla released a YouTube video called “Don’t Cash Crop on My Cornrows,” which addresses cultural appropriation perpetuated by white entertainers. Amandla is passionate about advocating for racial and gender equality.

5. Tom Holland

For many Marvel fans, English actor Tom Holland is a very familiar face. At 24 years old, Tom is known for his role as Spider-Man in films like Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Avengers: Infinity War, and many more.

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