Actors You Won’t Believe Are Turning 40 Next Year

There’s a surprising group of leading men and scene stealers hitting the big 4-0 next year, and their credits already cover blockbuster franchises, prestige TV, and indie favorites. From fantasy epics to superhero films to dark thrillers, they’ve built resumes that feel way larger than their age. Here are 15 male actors who celebrate their 40th birthdays next year, along with the roles and projects that put them on the map.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson broke out with ‘Twilight’ and later reinvented himself through acclaimed turns in ‘Good Time’ and ‘The Lighthouse’. He took on the cape and cowl in ‘The Batman’, solidifying his shift to darker, more complex roles. He has also worked with high-profile directors across festival favorites and large studio releases. His career spans indie risk taking and franchise anchoring with equal confidence.

Kit Harington

Kit Harington is best known as Jon Snow in ‘Game of Thrones’, a role that made him a global name. He has appeared on stage in London productions and expanded into voice work with ‘How to Train Your Dragon’. He joined the superhero world with ‘Eternals’, adding a modern fantasy credit to his portfolio. Harington continues to balance television, film, and theatre work.

Richard Madden

Richard Madden earned widespread attention as Robb Stark in ‘Game of Thrones’. He followed that with a Golden Globe-winning performance in ‘Bodyguard’, confirming his leading-man status on television. He stepped into the spy arena with ‘Citadel’ and joined the superhero roster in ‘Eternals’. Madden’s career blends high stakes drama with big budget action.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf moved from early television to major films like ‘Transformers’, then shifted into character-driven projects. He received strong notices for ‘Honey Boy’ and ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’. His work spans blockbuster spectacle and intimate indie storytelling. LaBeouf has also written and produced, adding creative credits beyond acting.

Dane DeHaan

Dane DeHaan drew attention with ‘Chronicle’ and brought intensity to ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’. He explored science-fiction and fantasy with ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’. His filmography includes period drama, psychological thrillers, and prestige television appearances. DeHaan often gravitates to complex, troubled characters across genres.

Jai Courtney

Jai Courtney broke through opposite Tom Cruise in ‘Jack Reacher’ and carried action credentials into ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’. He joined the DC universe as Captain Boomerang in ‘Suicide Squad’ and returned for ‘The Suicide Squad’. Courtney’s roles often lean into physically demanding parts with a dry comedic edge. He also works steadily in television, including crime and thriller series.

Penn Badgley

Penn Badgley first gained fame on teen drama with ‘Gossip Girl’. He later pivoted to psychological thriller territory as the lead of ‘You’, which became a streaming hit. His film credits include music drama and indie romance, showing range beyond television. Badgley also fronts a band, adding music to his creative profile.

Alfie Allen

Alfie Allen is widely recognized for his transformation as Theon Greyjoy in ‘Game of Thrones’. He has since appeared in crime thrillers, period pieces, and action films like ‘John Wick’. Allen’s stage work in London adds theatre credentials to his screen career. He continues to take on supporting and lead roles that emphasize character evolution.

Armie Hammer

Armie Hammer became widely known after ‘The Social Network’, playing dual roles with exacting precision. He earned critical notice for ‘Call Me by Your Name’ and appeared in genre pieces like ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’. His credits span biographical drama, mystery, and historical epics. Hammer has worked with major directors across both studio and independent productions.

Scott Eastwood

Scott Eastwood built a steady action resume with appearances in ‘Fury’, ‘The Fate of the Furious’, and ‘Pacific Rim Uprising’. He frequently takes supporting roles in ensemble casts alongside established stars. Eastwood also leads smaller thrillers and war dramas that play to his stoic screen presence. His career mixes franchise entries with mid-budget genre features.

Sam Claflin

Sam Claflin gained global visibility as Finnick Odair in ‘The Hunger Games’. He has moved between romance like ‘Me Before You’, rock drama with ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’, and literary adaptations. Claflin often alternates heroic charm with morally gray characters. He works across television and film with a focus on character-centric stories.

Steven Strait

Steven Strait headlines the acclaimed sci-fi series ‘The Expanse’ as James Holden. Earlier roles included fantasy adventure with ‘10,000 BC’ and ensemble drama in ‘City Island’. His tenure on ‘The Expanse’ built a dedicated fan base around thoughtful space opera storytelling. Strait has also contributed musically on select projects, reflecting a broad creative streak.

Josh Peck

Josh Peck transitioned from early sitcom fame to film and adult television roles. He has appeared in comedies and dramas, including a memorable part in ‘Oppenheimer’. Peck also maintains a strong digital presence through podcasts and online platforms. His career shows a steady evolution from child actor to versatile performer.

Tyler Blackburn

Tyler Blackburn became a familiar face through ‘Pretty Little Liars’ and its spinoff ‘Ravenswood’. He has appeared in independent features and television movies that lean into mystery and romance. Blackburn also records music, complementing his screen work. His projects often target devoted fandoms built around serialized storytelling.

Cory Michael Smith

Cory Michael Smith stood out as Edward Nygma in ‘Gotham’, charting a slow burn transformation into the Riddler. He has performed in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, building strong stage credentials. Film work includes period drama and festival-circuit indies. Smith’s choices emphasize psychologically layered roles and ensemble collaboration.

Jamie Bell

Jamie Bell debuted to wide attention with ‘Billy Elliot’ and later appeared in historical drama with ‘Turn: Washington’s Spies’. He played the Thing in ‘Fantastic Four’ and took on espionage in ‘Without Remorse’. Bell earned strong notices in indie projects like ‘Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool’. His work spans prestige television, superhero fare, and character-driven films.

Christopher Abbott

Christopher Abbott first gained traction on television with ‘Girls’. He moved into acclaimed indies including ‘James White’ and ‘It Comes at Night’. Abbott led the miniseries adaptation of ‘Catch-22’ and appeared in the thriller ‘Possessor’. His filmography frequently centers on intense character pieces alongside selective mainstream projects.

Aldis Hodge

Aldis Hodge built early recognition on ‘Leverage’ and expanded into historical drama with ‘Hidden Figures’. He portrayed Jim Brown in ‘One Night in Miami’ and joined superhero territory in ‘Black Adam’. Hodge also headlines the crime series ‘City on a Hill’. His roles often highlight grounded heroes and real-life figures.

Oliver Jackson-Cohen

Oliver Jackson-Cohen became widely known through ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ and ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’. He co-starred in the sci-fi thriller ‘The Invisible Man’. His credits also include period and crime dramas across British and American television. Jackson-Cohen continues to alternate between genre projects and contemporary character work.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II broke out on ‘The Get Down’ and continued with blockbuster roles in ‘Aquaman’. He earned an Emmy for ‘Watchmen’ and joined the sci-fi canon with ‘The Matrix Resurrections’. His filmography includes horror with ‘Candyman’ and legal drama in ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’. He works across franchise films and limited series with equal frequency.

Kingsley Ben-Adir

Kingsley Ben-Adir drew notice with ‘The OA’ and political drama in ‘The Comey Rule’. He portrayed Malcolm X in ‘One Night in Miami’ and later joined the spy series ‘Secret Invasion’. Ben-Adir also appeared in the global hit ‘Barbie’. His career mixes biographical portrayals, espionage stories, and contemporary ensemble films.

Jake McDorman

Jake McDorman starred in the television continuation of ‘Limitless’. He appeared in military drama with ‘American Sniper’ and later joined the newsroom world of ‘Murphy Brown’. McDorman’s work includes streaming miniseries such as ‘Dopesick’. He frequently moves between network TV, limited series, and feature films.

Drew Van Acker

Drew Van Acker is known for his role on ‘Pretty Little Liars’. He expanded into superhero television with ‘Titans’. Additional credits include action and thriller features alongside guest turns on procedural series. Van Acker’s projects span teen mystery, comic adaptations, and ensemble dramas.

Tyler Hynes

Tyler Hynes has built a steady slate of lead roles in television movies and series. He appeared in legal drama with ‘UnREAL’ and crime anthology storytelling in ‘Transporter: The Series’. Hynes is also a frequent face in romantic television features. His body of work focuses on contemporary TV storytelling and character-led films.

Daniel Sharman

Daniel Sharman came to prominence in supernatural drama with ‘Teen Wolf’. He played roles in period series like ‘Medici’ and fantasy adventure in ‘Cursed’. Sharman also appeared in the horror franchise entry ‘Fear the Walking Dead’. His resume blends historical settings, modern fantasy, and genre television.

Josh Segarra

Josh Segarra had a key role as a district attorney in ‘Arrow’. He moved into satirical comedy with ‘The Other Two’ and horror with ‘Scream VI’. Segarra also appears in the superhero legal comedy ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’. His credits range from comic-book dramas to contemporary comedies and franchise films.

Colin Morgan

Colin Morgan is best known for leading the fantasy series ‘Merlin’. He followed with contemporary thrillers like ‘Humans’ and ‘The Fall’. Morgan appears in crime and mystery films including ‘Belfast’ and ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’. His work spans fantasy, sci-fi, and grounded drama across film and television.

Mario Casas

Mario Casas established stardom in Spain with films like ‘Three Steps Above Heaven’. He earned widespread attention for the thriller ‘Cross the Line’ and the miniseries ‘The Innocent’. Casas works across genres including romance, crime, and psychological drama. His projects regularly reach international audiences through streaming releases.

Ali Fazal

Ali Fazal’s early recognition came with ‘Fukrey’ and continued internationally with ‘Furious 7’. He co-starred with Judi Dench in ‘Victoria & Abdul’ and joined the ensemble of ‘Death on the Nile’. Fazal also leads the hit series ‘Mirzapur’. His career bridges Bollywood productions and major English-language features.

Dulquer Salmaan

Dulquer Salmaan is a leading figure in Malayalam cinema with acclaimed roles in ‘Charlie’ and ‘Kurup’. He expanded into Telugu and Tamil industries with projects like ‘Sita Ramam’. Dulquer has also worked in Hindi films including ‘The Zoya Factor’ and ‘Karwaan’. His multilingual career consistently spans romance, drama, and period storytelling.

James Phelps

James Phelps is known worldwide for playing Fred Weasley in the ‘Harry Potter’ film series. He has continued acting in television and indie features while also working behind the camera on select projects. Alongside his brother, he cohosts the podcast ‘Normal Not Normal’. Phelps appears at global fan events and participates in charity initiatives connected to the franchise.

Oliver Phelps

Oliver Phelps portrayed George Weasley in the ‘Harry Potter’ films opposite his twin brother. He has pursued screen work and production roles across independent projects and documentaries. With James, he cohosts the podcast ‘Normal Not Normal’. Phelps remains active at conventions and live events tied to the wizarding world.

Kyle Gallner

Kyle Gallner built a genre-heavy resume with roles in ‘Jennifer’s Body’, ‘The Haunting in Connecticut’, and the breakout horror hit ‘Smile’. He appeared in military drama with ‘American Sniper’ and crime thriller territory in ‘The Cleansing Hour’. Gallner’s television credits include appearances on ‘Veronica Mars’ and ‘Smallville’. He frequently alternates between studio releases and festival-circuit indies.

Drake Bell

Drake Bell became widely recognized through the sitcom ‘Drake & Josh’. His film credits include ‘Superhero Movie’ and appearances in teen comedies and family features. He voiced Peter Parker in the animated series ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’. Bell has released multiple music projects alongside his onscreen work.

Engin Öztürk

Engin Öztürk rose to prominence with Turkish television hits like ‘Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne?’ and ‘Muhteşem Yüzyıl’. He expanded into streaming with ‘The Protector’ and dark comedy thriller ‘50M2’. His roles span historical drama, crime, and contemporary mystery. Öztürk continues to headline series that export widely across international platforms.

Taner Ölmez

Taner Ölmez leads the medical drama ‘Mucize Doktor’, the Turkish adaptation of ‘The Good Doctor’. Earlier credits include urban drama in ‘Kayıp Şehir’ and youth-focused series such as ‘Medcezir’. He has also worked in theatre productions in Istanbul. Ölmez’s work frequently appears on regional streamers with strong overseas viewership.

Navid Mohammadzadeh

Navid Mohammadzadeh is a leading Iranian actor known for festival favorites like ‘No Date, No Signature’ and ‘Life and a Day’. He drew international attention with crime drama ‘The Law of Tehran’. Mohammadzadeh’s performances appear regularly at major film festivals. He works across social realism, thriller, and character-focused drama in Iranian cinema.

Jakob Oftebro

Jakob Oftebro’s credits include Nordic and international productions such as ‘Kon-Tiki’ and ‘Max Manus’. He starred in the series ‘Hamilton’ and appeared in the Scandinavian crime universe of ‘The Bridge’. Oftebro works in Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish projects. His filmography spans war epics, espionage thrillers, and contemporary dramas.

Yon González

Yon González became a household name in Spain through ‘El Internado’ and the period mystery ‘Gran Hotel’. He reached global audiences with the streaming hit ‘Las Chicas del Cable’. González alternates between television and feature films across thriller, romance, and historical genres. His projects are widely distributed in Latin America and Europe.

Yoo Ah-in

Yoo Ah-in earned critical acclaim with arthouse thriller ‘Burning’. He has major box office titles in Korea including ‘Veteran’ and ‘The Throne’. On streaming, he led the supernatural series ‘Hellbound’. Yoo’s work spans period epics, crime dramas, and genre pieces that have screened at top-tier festivals.

Ben Rappaport

Ben Rappaport headlined the sitcom ‘Outsourced’ and later joined the legal drama ‘For the People’. He appeared in tech thriller territory on ‘Mr. Robot’ and comedy drama with ‘Younger’. Rappaport’s stage work includes New York productions on and off Broadway. His screen roles range from workplace comedy to courtroom drama.

Ben Batt

Ben Batt is recognized for ‘Shameless’ and crime drama turns in ‘Scott & Bailey’. He appeared in the western miniseries ‘The English’ and guest roles on ‘Lewis’ and ‘Strike Back’. Batt also works in theatre with productions across the UK. His credits cover period pieces, contemporary thrillers, and ensemble dramas.

Alessandro Borghi

Alessandro Borghi broke out internationally with crime saga ‘Suburra’, appearing in both the film and the series. He headlined the financial thriller ‘Devils’ set between London and Milan. Borghi earned strong notices for the biographical drama ‘On My Skin’. His projects span Italian auteur cinema and multinational television co-productions.

Share your picks for surprising soon-to-be 40s in the comments and tell us who we missed.