Charlie Heaton Bio
Charles Ross Heaton (born 6 February 1994) is an English actor. He is known for starring as Jonathan Byers in the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things (2016–present) and for his roles in feature films like As You Are (2016), Marrowbone (2017), The New Mutants (2020), No Future (2021), and The Souvenir Part II (2021). Prior to his acting career, Heaton played in a number of London-based bands.
Early Life and Background
Heaton was born on 6 February 1994 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. He was raised by his mother on a council estate in Bridlington, a small coastal town in Yorkshire. Heaton has an older sister, Levi Heaton, who is also an actor and a member of Self Esteem’s live band. He experienced early exposure to music and performance, which would later influence his career choices.
Path to Hollywood
At the age of 16, Heaton moved to London where he played in a number of bands. He joined the noise-rock band Comanechi as the drummer, releasing an album in 2013 and touring for a year and a half. He later joined the psychedelic band Half Loon. While pursuing music, Heaton began considering an acting career, working for extras and commercial agencies to supplement his income as a musician and bartender.
Charlie Heaton Career
Early Career (2010–2014)
Heaton’s acting career began in 2015 when he had guest roles on British television dramas, including DCI Banks and Vera. He also appeared in BBC One’s medical drama series Casualty. His first notable film role was in the 2016 thriller Shut In, co-starring Naomi Watts. He filmed the coming-of-age film As You Are in late 2015, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2016.
Breakthrough (2016–present)
Heaton’s breakthrough role came as Jonathan Byers in the Netflix series Stranger Things, which premiered in July 2016 to critical acclaim. The show quickly gained a massive following, and Heaton’s performance was praised, solidifying his status as a rising star in Hollywood. In 2017, he starred in the psychological horror film Marrowbone, which showcased his range as an actor.
Notable Works and Milestones
Heaton’s signature work remains his role in Stranger Things, which has garnered multiple awards and nominations. He also starred in The New Mutants, based on the Marvel Comics series, which was released in 2020, and appeared in the critically acclaimed drama The Souvenir Part II in 2021.
Charlie Heaton Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Charlie Heaton has received recognition for his performances, particularly for his role in Stranger Things, which has led to several nominations.
Charlie Heaton Awards Won
While specific awards won are not detailed, Heaton’s work in Stranger Things and other projects has been acknowledged by various industry bodies.
Charlie Heaton Family
Charlie Heaton has a son named Archie, born in 2014, with former bandmate Akiko Matsuura. He has been in a relationship with his Stranger Things co-star Natalia Dyer since 2016.
Personal Life
In October 2017, Heaton was detained at LAX Airport in Los Angeles for possession of small amounts of cocaine but was not charged with a crime. He is a keen football fan and supports Arsenal F.C. Additionally, the folk-punk band Skinny Lister wrote a song titled “Charlie” about him, reflecting his connections within the music community.
