| Human Profile | |
| Name: | Glen Thomas Powell Jr. |
| Birthday: | October 21, 1988 (age 37 years), Born in Austin, Texas |
| Height: | 6'0" (183 cm) |
| Education: | Westwood High School (Diploma) University of Texas at Austin (Student), Radio-Television-Film |
Overview
Glen Thomas Powell Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter, and producer recognized for his roles in films such as Top Gun: Maverick, Hidden Figures, and Hit Man.
Latest News (Mar 28, 2026): Glen Powell recently announced on Instagram that he will voice the character Fox McCloud in the upcoming film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The actor shared the news via a video post on Friday as part of the promotion for the movie's upcoming theatrical release.
Early Life and Education
Glen Thomas Powell Jr. was born on October 21, 1988, in Austin, Texas, to Glen Powell Sr., an executive coach, and Cyndy Powell. He has an older sister, Lauren, and a younger sister, Leslie. His interest in film began at a young age, sparked by seeing Jurassic Park with his father. His parents supported his burgeoning passion by enrolling him in acting classes, which led to his participation in local theater productions, including The Sound of Music and Oliver!.
Powell attended Westwood High School in Austin, where he was active in sports, playing football and lacrosse. After graduating in 2007, he enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin to study radio, television, and film. He later decided to leave the university to focus on his acting career. In 2024, it was reported that Powell had re-enrolled at the University of Texas to complete his degree.
Career Beginnings
Powell’s professional acting career began with a minor role in the 2003 film Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over. Throughout his teenage years, he secured small parts in films such as The Wendell Baker Story (2005) and Fast Food Nation (2006). A significant early role came in 2007 when he was cast in The Great Debaters, directed by and starring Denzel Washington. During the production, Washington encouraged Powell to fully commit to his acting career.
Following this advice, Powell moved to Los Angeles to pursue more significant roles. He initially found work in television, with guest appearances in series such as CSI: Miami, Without a Trace, and Rizzoli & Isles. He also had a small role in the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises.
Rise to Prominence
A notable turn in Powell’s career came with his role as Chad Radwell in the Fox comedy-horror series Scream Queens (2015–2016). The role garnered him wider recognition. In 2016, he appeared in Richard Linklater’s critically acclaimed film Everybody Wants Some!! and portrayed astronaut John Glenn in the biographical drama Hidden Figures. The ensemble cast of Hidden Figures received a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. He continued to gain momentum with a starring role in the 2018 Netflix romantic comedy Set It Up, alongside Zoey Deutch.
Major Work and Projects
Powell’s career ascended to a new level with his role as Lieutenant Jake “Hangman” Seresin in the 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick. The film’s immense commercial success significantly raised his international profile. That same year, he also starred in the historical aviation drama Devotion, portraying naval aviator Tom Hudner.
He continued his leading man status with the romantic comedy Anyone But You (2023) and the action-comedy Hit Man (2023), which he also co-wrote and produced with director Richard Linklater. His performance in Hit Man earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination. Powell also starred in the 2024 disaster film Twisters. In January 2025, he announced the formation of his production company, Barnstorm, which signed a first-look deal with Universal Pictures.
Personal Life
Inspired during the filming of Top Gun: Maverick, Glen Thomas Powell Jr. earned his private pilot’s license. His co-star, Tom Cruise, paid for his flight school as a gift. In 2024, Powell moved from Los Angeles back to his hometown of Austin, Texas, to be closer to his family and to continue his university education. He is pursuing the completion of his degree from the University of Texas at Austin through distance learning.