Finn Wolfhard

Finn Wolfhard (born December 23, 2002) is a Canadian actor and musician. He is known for playing Mike Wheeler on the Netflix series Stranger Things (2016–present). He also played the roles of Richie Tozier in the horror film It (2017) and its sequel It Chapter Two (2019), and has starred in the supernatural comedy Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and its sequel Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024).
Wolfhard has also directed the comedy short film Night Shifts (2020) as well as the feature Hell of a Summer (2023). As a musician, he was the lead vocalist and guitarist for the rock band Calpurnia, and is a member of The Aubreys since 2020.
== Early life ==
Wolfhard was born on December 23, 2002, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He attended Catholic school. His father, Eric Wolfhard, is a researcher on Indigenous land claims in Canada. He has an older brother, actor Nick Wolfhard.
== Career ==
Wolfhard's first acting role was in the 2012 music video for the song "Retro Oceans" by Vancouver band Facts. In 2014, he made his television debut as Zoran in the second season of the post-apocalyptic science fiction series The 100. The following year, he appeared as Jordie Pinsky in the series Supernatural.
In 2016, Wolfhard began portraying Mike Wheeler in the Netflix series Stranger Things. He auditioned for the role via video after seeing an open casting call. Wolfhard, along with his castmates, won a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. He and co-stars Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin competed against one another in a 2017 episode of Spike's Lip Sync Battle.
In July 2017, Wolfhard co-directed his first music video with Josh Ovalle for the band Spendtime Palace's song "Sonora". Wolfhard made his feature film debut playing Richie Tozier in the 2017 film adaptation of Stephen King's It. The casting of Wolfhard in both Stranger Things and It, both set in the 1980s, had been a coincidence. According to Wolfhard, he had been initially cast as Richie when Cary Fukunaga was attached as director and co-writer, but when Fukunaga left the project over creative differences, the role fell through which allowed him to pursue Stranger Things. Once Andy Muschietti became attached to It, Wolfhard had to re-audition for the role of Richie. In October 2017, Wolfhard parted ways with his former agency, APA, and fired former agent Tyler Grasham following allegations that Grasham had sexually assaulted aspiring young male actors. Wolfhard himself had not been assaulted. In January 2018, Wolfhard signed with Creative Artists Agency. He played Tyler, an altruistic and thoughtful pizza delivery boy, in the 2018 Ken Marino-directed ensemble comedy film, Dog Days.
In January 2019, Wolfhard starred in the Netflix animated series Carmen Sandiego as "Player", the title character's chief accomplice and friend. In May, he made his modeling debut in Saint Laurent's Fall/Winter '19 campaign. He reprised his role as young Richie in flashbacks for the sequel It Chapter Two (2019), and co-starred in The Goldfinch (2019), the John Crowley-directed adaptation of Donna Tartt's novel, playing Young Boris Pavlikovsky, a Ukrainian student and troublemaker. Wolfhard had not been Crowley's first choice as he wanted to cast an authentic Russian actor for Boris, but Wolfhard's near perfect Russian accent in his audition helped him get the role. Wolfhard also provided the voice of Pugsley Addams in an animated remake of The Addams Family. From 2017 to 2019, he was listed in Variety’s Hollywood Youth Impact Report. In 2018 and 2019, The Hollywood Reporter named him as one of the top 30 stars under age 18.
In January 2020, Wolfhard portrayed Miles in the supernatural horror film The Turning, an adaptation of Henry James' novella The Turn of the Screw, and co-starred in the anthology film Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia (2020). Wolfhard then starred in the Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux–directed short film, Rules for Werewolves (2020), based on playwright and novelist Kirk Lynn's adapted screenplay from his debut novel, which is set to become a feature-length film with Wolfhard attached to star. He lent his voice to two Adult Swim productions: the animated special, Smiling Friends and the animated series JJ Villard's Fairy Tales as Boypunzel, a gender-swapped version of Rapunzel. Wolfhard joined the Jason Reitman–directed comedy miniseries Home Movie: The Princess Bride, which raised money for World Central Kitchen, and performed a live reading of The Princess Brides script, as the Grandson, for a Democratic Party of Wisconsin charity event in September 2020.
At the age of 17, Wolfhard made his directorial debut with the comedy short film, Night Shifts (2020). He released the film on YouTube the following year. Wolfhard co-starred in the Audible Original, When You Finish Saving the World (2020), written by Jesse Eisenberg. He narrates Ziggy Katz, a 15-year-old boy recording audio sessions to a futuristic bot therapist. The audiobook was adapted by Eisenberg into the comedy-drama film When You Finish Saving the World (2022), with Julianne Moore and Wolfhard starring as mother and son. In July 2020, it was announced that Wolfhard and his brother Nick would be headlining the voice cast of sci-fi animated series NEW-GEN, playing twin brothers. Wolfhard was included in Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2020 in the field of Hollywood and entertainment.
Wolfhard co-starred with Carrie Coon in Jason Reitman's Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), playing the son of Coon's single mother. He was cast alongside Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, and Helena Zengel in A24's fantasy epic The Legend of Ochi, directed by Isaiah Saxon. In November 2021, he announced that he is working on directing a feature-length film, Hell of a Summer. Wolfhard also joined Guillermo del Toro's stop-motion animated musical film Pinocchio (2022).
In 2023, Wolfhard and his friend and frequent collaborator Billy Bryk released the theatrical feature film Hell of a Summer, which they co-directed, co-wrote and co-starred in.McKinley Franklin, "How ‘Shaun of the Dead’ Inspired Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk’s Directorial Debut ‘Hell of a Summer’" . Variety, September 9, 2023. The film debuted at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was named second runner-up for the People's Choice Award for Midnight Madness.Steve Pond, "‘American Fiction’ Wins Toronto Film Festival’s Audience Award" . TheWrap, September 17, 2023. That same year, he voiced a younger version of the titular character in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, released in November.
== Music ==
Wolfhard was the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and songwriter for Vancouver-based rock band Calpurnia, until the band dissolved in November 2019. A few weeks later, it was announced that Wolfhard's new band, The Aubreys, with Calpurnia drummer Malcolm Craig, would debut on the soundtrack of his film, The Turning (2020). The Aubreys released their single, "Loved One" on March 10, 2020, and their debut EP, Soda & Pie, through AWAL, on March 13, 2020. Their next single, "Smoke Bomb" was released on August 17, 2020. The Aubreys' first collaboration single with Lunar Vacation, "No Offerings" was released on January 12, 2021. Their second single of 2021, "Sand in My Bed" was released on February 14.
The Aubreys released their single "Karaoke Alone" on September 10, 2021, from the group's debut studio LP, Karaoke Alone, which was released on November 5, 2021. 
== Advocacy ==
Wolfhard has been involved in advocacy for autism and indigenous children.
In May 2017, Wolfhard hosted "Strange 80s," a benefit concert to raise funds for Sweet Relief, an organization that helps struggling musicians in need of medical care. He also performed three tracks with his former band Calpurnia at the event. For his work with Sweet Relief, he received an award at the 2017 Television Industry Advocacy Awards.
== Filmography ==
* New-Gen - TV Series
* The Legend of Ochi (2025)…as Petro
* Saturday Night (2024)…as NBC Page
* Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)…as Trevor Spengler
* In the Know (2024) - TV Series…as Guest Interviewee (1 episode)
* Springleaf (2023) - Podcast Series…as Serpico (voice) (1 episode)
* Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023) - TV Series…as Teen Scott Pilgrim (1 episode)
* Hell of a Summer (2023)…as Chris
* Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)…as Candlewick (voice)
* Stranger Things (2016-2025) - TV Series…as Mike Wheeler (42 episodes)
* When You Finish Saving the World (2022)…as Ziggy
* Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)…as Trevor Spengler
* Duncanville (2021) - TV Series…as Norman (voice) (1 episode)
* How It Ends (2021)…as Ezra
* Carmen Sandiego (2019-2021) - TV Series…as Player (voice) (32 episodes)
* Rules for Werewolves (2020) - Short…as Bobert
* Home Movie: The Princess Bride (2020) - TV Mini Series…as Inigo Montoya
* JJ Villard’s Fairy Tales (2020) - TV Series…as Boypunzel & Manpunzel (voice) (1 episode)
* Smiling Friends (2020) - TV Series…as Guy in the Walls (voice) (1 episode)
* Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal (2020) - Short…as Player (voice)
* Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia (2020)
* The Turning (2020)…as Miles Fairchild
* The Addams Family (2019)…as Pugsley Addams (voice)
* The Goldfinch (2019)…as Young Boris Pavlikovsky
* It Chapter Two (2019)…as Young Richie Tozier
* The Cold Open (2019) - TV Short…as Himself
* Howard Lovecraft and the Kingdom of Madness (2018)…as Herbert West (voice)
* Young Math Legends (2018) - TV Series…as Young Gauss
* Dog Days (2018)…as Tyler
* It (2017)…as Richie Tozier
* Supernatural (2015) - TV Series…as Jordie Pinsky (1 episode)
* The 100 (2014) - TV Series…as Zoran (1 episode)
* Aftermath (2013) - Short…as Young Charles
* Lip Sync Battle…as Himself
== Music videos ==
* The Aubreys: Smoke Bomb (2020)
* The Aubreys: Loved One (2020)
* The Aubreys Feat. Finn Wolfhard: Getting Better - Otherwise (2020)
* Mike Tompkins: The Addams Family (2019)
* Calpurnia: Cell (2019)
* Weezer: Take On Me (2019)…as Rivers Cuomo
* Calpurnia: Wasting Time (2018)…voice only
* Calpurnia: Greyhound (2018)
* Ninja Sex Party: Danny Don’t You Know (2018)…as Young Danny
* Spendtime Palace: Sonora (2017)…as Spike
* Pup: Sleep in the Heat (2016)…as Young Stefan
* PUP: Guilt Trip (2014)…as Young Stefan
* Hey Ocean!: Change (2013)…as Zombie Paper Boy
* Facts: Retro Oceans (2012)
== Accolades ==
Year	Award 	Category 	Nominated work 	Result	
2017	Young Artist Awards 	Best Performance in a Digital TV Series or Film – Teen Actor 	Stranger Things 	 	
2017	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice Breakout TV Star 	Stranger Things 	 	
2017	Screen Actors Guild Awards 	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series 	Stranger Things 	 	
2018	Screen Actors Guild Awards 	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series 	Stranger Things 	 	
2018	MTV Movie & TV Awards 	Best Kiss (with Millie Bobby Brown) 	Stranger Things 	 	
2018	MTV Movie & TV Awards 	Best On-Screen Team (with Sophia Lillis, Jaeden Lieberher, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Jeremy Ray Taylor and Chosen Jacobs)	It 	 	
2018	MTV Movie & TV Awards 	Best On-Screen Team (with Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp and Sadie Sink) 	Stranger Things 	 	
2018	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor 	Stranger Things 	 	
2019	Teen Choice Awards 	Choice Summer TV Actor 	Stranger Things 	 	
2019	People's Choice Awards 	The Male TV Star of 2019 	Stranger Things 	 	
2020	Screen Actors Guild Awards 	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series 	Stranger Things 	 	
2020	Atlanta Shortfest Awards 	Best Director 	Night Shifts 	 	
2021	Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards	Favorite Male TV Star 	Stranger Things 	 	
2022	Saturn Awards 	Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Film 	Ghostbusters: Afterlife	 	
2023	Kids' Choice Awards 	Favorite Male TV Star (Family) 	Stranger Things 	 	
== Gallery ==
== Videos ==
File:SATURDAY NIGHT – Official Trailer (HD)
File:SATURDAY NIGHT Trailer (2024) Dylan O'Brien, Willem Dafoe
File:'Ghostbusters- Frozen Empire' Cast Answers Fan Questions! - IMDb
File:When You Finish Saving The World - Official Trailer HD - A24
File:WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD Trailer (2023)
File:GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO - Official Trailer - Netflix
File:Stranger Things 4 - Volume 2 Trailer - Netflix
File:Stranger Things Season 4 Trailer - Rotten Tomatoes TV
File:Stranger Things Season 3 Final Trailer - Rotten Tomatoes TV
File:Stranger Things 4 - Volume 2 Sneak Peek - Netflix
File:GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO - Official Teaser Trailer - Netflix
File:Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2 Trailer - Rotten Tomatoes TV
== Trivia ==
* Finn admitted to having a fear of clowns, appropriate for playing Richie Tozier in the new "It" movie.
* He plays the guitar, the piano, the drums, bass and the harmonica.
* His three favorite films are The Graduate (1967), Dazed and Confused (1993) and Melody (1971).
* Featured in the music video for the song "Guilt Trip" (2014) by Canadian punk band PUP.
* In the Neibolt House scene in It (2017), there is water on his shirt because Jack Dylan Grazer said something that made him laugh so hard with a mouth full of water he spit it out on his shirt.
* On May 27, 2019, made his modeling debut as the newest face of Saint Laurent's Fall/Winter '19 campaign.
* Great-great-aunt was silent film and theatre actress Rita Jolivet. Finn's great-grandfather, Alfred Eugene Jolivet, was Rita's brother.
* Nephew of actor Hadley Kay, who was also a former child actor. Kay had, coincidentally, appeared in director Ivan Reitman's film, Meatballs (1979) and 40 years later, Wolfhard would appear in the Reitman produced film, Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021).
* Brother of Nick Wolfhard, who also acts. Son of Mary Jolivet and Eric Wolfhard, an aboriginal land claims researcher in law and a former screenwriter.
* Frequent collaborator with Billy Bryk. The two have worked together on Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), Night Shifts (2020), and When You Finish Saving the World (2022). The two also host a podcast together called "Lackluster Video" for HeadGum.
* He was a member of the band Calpurnia from 2017 to 2019.
* His new band The Aubreys, formed in 2019, is named after his childhood cat, Audrey.
== External links ==
*
== References ==
Category:21st-century Canadian male actors
Category:Male actors from Vancouver
Category:Canadian male child actors
Category:Canadian male film actors
Category:Canadian male television actors
Category:Canadian people of French descent
Category:Canadian people of German descent
Category:Canadian people of Jewish descent
Category:Living people
Category:2002 births