Finn Wolfhard

**Finn Michael Wolfhard** (born December 23, 2002) is a Canadian actor, musician, screenwriter and director. He is best known for his portrayal of main character Mike Wheeler in the Netflix original television series *Stranger Things*.

## Acting career

In 2012-2013, Finn Wolfhard got his first acting job from Craigslist. In 2014, he made his television debut as Zoran in The CW original series, *The 100*. In 2015, he got a small role portraying Jordie Pinsky in another CW original series, *Supernatural*.

In 2015, Finn was cast as Richie Tozier in a new film adaptation of Stephen King's *It*. However, when writer-director Cary Fukunaga left the project over creative differences, the film's production was delayed. With more time on his hands, Finn auditioned over video for a new Netflix series called *Stranger Things* (while sick in bed), and was cast as Mike Wheeler. Later, Andy Muschietti became attached to direct *It*, Finn had to re-audition to secure his role as Richie Tozier.

In 2016, Finn began filming *It*. Later that year, *Stranger Things* was released to critical acclaim, quickly becoming one of Netflix's most popular series. The show won various awards, and was quickly renewed for a second season, which began filming later that year.

On September 8, 2017, *It* was released. On October 27, the second season of *Stranger Things*, or *Stranger Things 2*, was released.

On January 9, 2018, Wolfhard signed with talent agency CAA. On August 8, 2018, Finn appeared as Tyler, an altruistic and thoughtful pizza delivery boy, in the Ken Marino-directed ensemble romantic comedy film, *Dog Days*.

On July 4, 2019, the third season of *Stranger Things* was released on Netflix. That same year, Finn appeared in the first two seasons of *Carmen Sandiego*, and voiced Pugsley Addams in an animated remake of *The Addams Family.* That same year, Finn reprised his role as young Richie in flashbacks for the sequel *It Chapter Two*, and co-starred in *The Goldfinch*, the John Crowley-directed adaptation of the Donna Tartt's novel. In *The Goldfinch*, Finn played the young version of Boris Pavlikovsky, a Ukrainian student and troublemaker.

In January 2020, Finn portrayed Miles in Amblin's haunted house film, *The Turning*, an adaptation of Henry James’ novella *The Turn of the Screw*. That month, Finn also made his Sundance Film Festival debut with the Miami-set omnibus film, *Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia*. On March 10, a *Carmen Sandiego* interactive special, *Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal* was released on Netflix.

On April 1, 2020, Finn lent his voice to a Adult Swim animated special called *Smiling Friends*. He also guest-appeared in the Adult Swim animated series *Villard's Fairy Tales*, voicing Boypunzel, a gender-swapped version of Rapunzel.

On June 29 to July 8, 2020, he joined the Jason Reitman directed Quibi television series adaptation *Home Movie: The Princess Bride*, to raise money for World Central Kitchen, which was released in July 2020, and then a live reading of The Princess Bride's script, as the Grandson, for a Democratic Party of Wisconsin charity event in September 2020.

On July 15, 2020, it was also announced that he and his brother, would be headlining the voice cast of sci-fi animation series *NEW-GEN*, playing twin brothers, alongside The Witcher star Anya Chalotra. In August 2020, he co-starred as Ziggy Katz in the Audible Original, *When You Finish Saving the World*, written by Jesse Eisenberg.

On August 19, 2020, it was announced that he had joined director Guillermo del Toro's stop-motion animated musical feature, *Pinocchio*. On October 1, 2020, the third season of *Carmen Sandiego* was released on Netflix.

On January 15, 2021, the fourth and final season of *Carmen Sandiego* was released on Netflix. On May 23rd, 2021, he guest-voiced an undisclosed character in the Fox animated series *Duncanville.*

On November 10, 2021, it was announced that he had joined in A24's fantasy film *The Legend Of Ochi*, directed by Isaiah Saxon, and with Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, and Helena Zengel.

On November 19, 2021, he starred with Carrie Coon in Jason Reitman's *Ghostbusters: Afterlife*, as Trevor the son of Coon's single mother, and Mckenna Grace also starring as Phoebe his younger sister.

## Music

He had met drummer Malcolm Craig in 2014, on the set of the music video for "Guilt Trip" by PUP, while guitarist Ayla Tesler-Mabe was a friend from rock camp and bassist Jack Anderson was recruited for a charity fundraiser. The band officially formed in 2017, with their first release being a cover of "Wanted You" by Twin Peaks.

The band signed with the Canadian independent record label Royal Mountain Records in November 2017 and began recording an EP, with Cadien Lake James of Twin Peaks producing and engineering.

In January 2018, the band performed at the Rough Trade in New York City, covering "Here She Comes Now" by The Velvet Underground, "Where Is My Mind?" by Pixies, "El Scorcho" by Weezer and "Butterfly" by Twin Peaks.

On March 7, 2018, he made debut with his band by releasing their single "City Boy". It was the lead single of their then-unannounced *Scout* EP released their debut extended play "Scout". The single debuted at No. 23 on the *Billboard* Alternative Digital Song Sales chart with sales of 2,000 units.

On April 12, 2018, The second single, "Louie", was released by the band with announcing the forthcoming release of the *Scout* EP, slated for June 15, 2018. The band made their television debut on 23 July 2018 as the musical guest on *Jimmy Kimmel Live*.

In February 2019, Weezer featured the four members of Calpurnia as the stars of their new music video for their cover of the a-ha track "Take On Me," from the album *Weezer* (The Teal Album). The video takes a trip back to the 1980's, paying tribute to the original music video by a-ha and Finn playing as young Rivers Cuomo. The decision to have Calpurnia participate in the video was solidified after Weezer had requested the band cover their hit song "Say It Ain't So" for Spotify's *Under Cover* podcast in 2018.

On November 8, 2019, Calpurnia announced on Instagram that they had split up because of Finn's acting career and his other projects. A few weeks later, Finn and Malcolm started a new band called "The Aubreys". Their debut song, "Getting Better (otherwise)", appeared on the soundtrack of Finn's movie, *The Turning* .

On March 10, 2020, The Aubreys released their debut EP, *Soda & Pie*, through AWAL, on March 13, 2020. On January 13, 2021, The Aubreys released another single called "No Offerings", a collaboration with Lunar Vacations.

## Directing

In 2017, he had co-directed his first music video with his best friend Josh Ovalle for the band, Spendtime Palace's "Sonora" and he was only 14 years old when he directed it.

On December 10, 2019, he launched a fundraising campaign to produce the short film *"Night Shifts"* through Indiegogo, offering various incentives to those who donated and attained its goal of $26,000 Canadian dollars in a day. The short was shot over the span of 12 hours in a Vancouver convenient store. During filming, an attempted robbery occurred. *Night Shifts* is a 2020 Canadian short comedy film written and directed by himself.

On August 24, 2020, the film premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival on August 24, 2020. It had its American premiere at the 11th Annual Atlanta Shortsfest on August 29, 2020. The film is also an official selection for the 2020 Calgary International Film Festival. The film received the silver Audience Award for Best Canadian and he won Best Director award for *Night Shifts* at the 2020 Atlanta Shortsfest.

In November 6, 2021, Wolfhard revealed that he is working on his feature-length directorial debut film, calling it a "horror-comedy-slasher movie that takes place at a camp". In July 2022, this film was revealed to be *Hell of a Summer*, which he would be co-directing, co-writing, and co-starring alongside Billy Bryk. *Hell of a Summer* premiered on September 10, 2023, at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

## Advocacy

In 2017, Finn Wolfhard sold merchandise that delivered all proceeds to children of indigenous communities, and spread awareness and acceptance for autism. In May of thar year, he hosted "Strange 80s," a benefit concert to raise funds for Sweet Relief, an organization which offered assistance to struggling musicians in need of medical care and healthcare, and performed three tracks with his former band Calpurnia at the fundraiser. For his work with Sweet Relief, he was awarded by the 2017 Television Industry Advocacy Awards as an honoree.

In December 2019, he put a link on his Instagram account to donate money to the 2019-20 Australia bushfire.

In August 2020, he sold a *Stranger Things 3* bomber jacket with his signature to help raise vital funds for children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2020, he donated some money to help a 37-year-old Atikamekw woman Joyce Echaquan, who died in a Quebec hospital after she recorded healthcare workers mistreating her. Her death is seen as a reflection of anti-Indigenous racism in Canada.

In February 2021, he donated money to the father of his *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* co-star, Hannah Duke, who needed a kidney donor.

## Personal life

He graduated from St. Patrick Regional Secondary School in 2020.

His father, Eric Wolfhard, is a researcher on aboriginal land claims. His mother, Mary Jolivet, worked at a clothing brand that creates clothes for kids. His older brother, Nick Wolfhard, is a voice actor.

On October 20, 2017, he parted ways with his former agency, APA, and fired former agent Tyler Grasham following allegations that Grasham had sexually assaulted aspiring young male actors. He had not been assaulted.

## Influences

His acting influences are Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Ryan Reynolds, Michael Cera, Natalie Portman, Emma Watson, Jonah Hill, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emma Stone, Amy Adams, Bill Hader, Matthew McConaughey, Jesse Eisenberg, Chloë Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Mackenzie Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Kevin Smith, Paul Rudd and Sarah Paulson.

His music influences and favorite musicians/bands/singers and composers are The Beatles, Mac DeMarco, Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, Weezer, Tame Impala, The Rolling Stones, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Pixies, Twin Peaks, PUP, The Clash, Ariana Grande, Arcade Fire, Foxygen, The Cure, The Stokes, Guns N’ Roses, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Toto, New Order, Joy Division, The Lemon Twigs, Clario, Wallows, Gorillaz, Elliot Smith, Television (band), Green Day, Queen, Blackpink, Mort Garson, Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile, Daniel Johnston and Billie Eilish. Finn also loves 80s and 90s music and loves movies soundtrack and original scores.

His major directing influence is Wes Anderson, and he's other directing influences are Jason Reitman, Judd Apatow, Spike Jonze, Noah Baumbach, Buster Keaton, Steven Spielberg, Andy Muschietti, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Edgar Wright, Guillermo del Toro and Floria Sigismondi

His favorite movies are *The Shawshank Redemption* (1993), *The Graduate* (1967), *Dazed and Confused* (1993), *Melody* (1971), *Superbad* (2007), *Rushmore* (1996), *Baby Driver* (2017), *La La Land* (2016), *The Goonies* (1985), *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981), *Sixteen Candles* (1984), *Stand by Me* (1986), *Jaws* (1975), *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), *Close Encounters of the Third Kind* (1977), *The Exorcist* (1973), *Pan’s Labyrinth* (2006), *The Shining* (1980), *Hot Fuzz* (2007), *Inglourious Basterds* (2009), *Juno* (2007), *Mid90s* (2018), *Sing Street* (2016), *Joker* (2019), *Little Miss Sunshine* (2006), *Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood* (2019), *The Squid and the Whale* (2005), *Titanic* (1997), *Moonrise Kingdom* (2012), *Kids* (1995), *Marriage Story* (2019), *It Follows* (2014), *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World* (2010), *Babyteeth* (2019), *Palm Springs* (2020), *Lady Bird* (2017), *Booksmart* (2019), *Fantastic Mr. Fox* (2009), *Clerks* (1994), *Uncut Gems* (2019), and *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* (1991). Finn's favorite movie genre is Comedy.

His favorite TV shows beside *Stranger Things* are *Atlanta* (2016- ), *American Vandal* (2017-18), *Black Mirror* (2011-19), *Sex Education* (2019-2023), *Freaks & Geeks* (1999-2000), *Nirvana the Band the Show* (2017-2018), The Office (2005-2013), *Succession* (2018-2023), *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia* (2005- ), *Big Mouth* (2017- ) and *Barry* (2018-2023).

His comedies influences are Bill Hader, Monty Python and The Apatow Productions.

## **Filmography**

### Podcast

 *Lackluster Video* | Himself (co-host)
 *Review Revue* | Himself
 2021
 2022

## External Links

* **Instagram**
* **Twitter**
* **Facebook**
* **YouTube**
* **TikTok**

## Gallery

Finn Wolfhard Stranger Things 3 Premiere NetflixA Dungeons & Dragons Adventure - Stranger ThingsStranger Things 3 World Tour New York City Episode 1Stranger Things 3 World Tour Tokyo Episode 3Stranger Things 3 World Tour Paris Episode 5Stranger Things 3 World Tour Gdansk Episode 4Stranger Things 3 World Tour Seoul Episode 2Stranger Things 3 Cast Give You An All Access Behind the Scenes Tour NetflixSPOILER ALERT Cast Try Stranger Thing 3 Video Game for the First Time NetflixStranger Things Season 1 Bloopers NetflixStranger Things Season 2 Bloopers NetflixStranger Things Season 3 Bloopers Netflix
## Trivia

* Wolfhard auditioned for *Stranger Things* shortly after he auditioned for the 2017 film *It*. He was able to star in *Stranger Things* due to the movie being pushed back.
* Because of being very sick, Wolfhard had to film the entire audition tape for *Stranger Things* from his bed.
* For the first and second seasons of *Stranger Things*, Finn along with his co-stars earned $20,000 and $60,000 per episode respectively. However, for the third season, the majority of the cast including Finn got a raise, with Finn receiving approximately $250,000 per episode.
* He has never considered Millie Bobby Brown as his first kiss, because he first kissed a girl in kindergarten.
* His great-great-aunt, Rita Jolivet, was a silent film and theater actress and his great-grandfather, Alfred Eugene Jolivet, was Rita's brother.
* He's a fan of Blackpink.

## References

1. ↑ "*Stranger Things* Actor Finn Wolfhard Makes Billboard Chart Debut With His Band Calpurnia"" *Billboard* April 18, 2018.
2. ↑ Instagram post by Finn Wolfhard
3. ↑ "Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard Set To Direct His First Feature Film" *Screenrant*. November 6, 2021.
4. ↑ "‘Hell Of A Summer’: D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Abby Quinn & Pardis Saremi Join Horror-Comedy From Directors Finn Wolfhard & Billy Bryk" *Deadline*. July 18, 2022.
5. ↑ "How ‘Shaun of the Dead’ Inspired Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk’s Directorial Debut ‘Hell of a Summer’" *Variety*. September 9, 2023.
6. ↑ "Hell of a Summer" *TIFF*.
7. ↑ "‘Stranger Things’ Casting Director Carmen Cuba On Finn Wolfhard’s Bizarre First Audition and Season Two’s New Characters" *Decider*. October 27, 2017.
8. ↑ "19 BTS secrets you didn't know about 'Stranger Things'" *Insider*. July 10, 2019.