You’ve seen the red carpet photos. The tall, ruggedly handsome guy standing next to Hailee Steinfeld while she’s out there promoting Hawkeye or a new album. Most people assume he’s just another Hollywood plus-one or maybe a cousin.
Nope. That’s Griffin Steinfeld.
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Honestly, if you only know him as "Hailee Steinfeld’s brother," you’re missing about 90% of the story. While Hailee was busy becoming an Oscar-nominated powerhouse, Griffin was carving out a path that involves a lot more motor oil and burnt rubber than Hollywood glitz. He’s a professional racer, a business owner, and basically the secret weapon behind some of Hailee’s most authentic on-screen moments.
Who Exactly is Griffin Steinfeld?
Born on January 9, 1994, Griffin is about three years older than Hailee. They grew up in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles, raised by their parents, Cheri (an interior designer) and Pete Steinfeld (a personal trainer).
If the last name sounds familiar in the fitness world, there's a reason for that. Their uncle is the legendary Jake Steinfeld, the "Body by Jake" guy who basically invented the celebrity fitness trainer industry.
The Steinfelds aren't your typical "stage family" though. While Pete and Cheri definitely supported Hailee's early acting dreams—remember she was only 13 when she did True Grit—they didn't push Griffin into the spotlight. Instead, they let him chase things that moved fast.
A Career Built on Speed
Griffin isn't just a guy who likes cars. He’s a legit driver.
He started out in off-road racing in the Mojave Desert before moving into the NASCAR circuit. He spent several seasons in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and the K&N Pro Series West. Lately, he’s been making waves in the drag racing world. If you follow him on Instagram, you’ve probably seen his 1986 Volvo 240 DL—which he calls a "brick"—that he LS-swapped to run the quarter-mile in under nine seconds.
That's not "hobbyist" speed. That’s "I might lose a limb if I mess up" speed.
The Secret Role in 'Bumblebee'
Here’s a fun fact that most casual fans completely miss: Griffin actually worked on his sister’s 2018 movie, Bumblebee.
And I don't mean he just visited the set for snacks.
During production, the director needed a stunt driver for a specific scene involving the yellow Volkswagen Beetle. Griffin happened to be there, and because he’s a professional, he stepped in and did the driving. Hailee has talked about this in interviews, saying how much she trusted him to make sure the technical details were right. Whenever the script mentioned a specific car part, she’d turn to Griffin and ask, "Hey, does this actually make sense?"
He basically served as her personal technical advisor to make sure her character, Charlie Watson, actually looked like someone who knew how to wrench on a car.
Why the Siblings are So Close
In a town where sibling rivalries often turn into tabloid fodder, the Steinfeld bond is actually kinda refreshing.
Hailee has gone on record calling Griffin the "best older brother on the planet." She’s talked about the sacrifices he made early on—missing his own events or shifting his schedule so the family could support her budding career.
It goes both ways, too. In 2021, Hailee showed up at a drag race in Georgia to watch Griffin compete. She was caught on camera cheering like a maniac. Then, more recently in late 2024, Griffin was the one leading the charge on social media when Hailee got engaged to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. He posted that it was "one of the greatest days" of his life.
Business and "The Real World"
Despite the fame, Griffin seems to have a very grounded approach to life. Aside from racing, he runs a solar panel cleaning business.
It’s a weirdly normal job for someone whose sister is a global pop star and Marvel superhero. But that’s sort of his brand. He’s a "one-man show" in the garage, often doing his own mechanical work with help from his dad and a few neighbors.
What’s He Doing Now in 2026?
As of early 2026, Griffin is still deep in the automotive world. He’s transitioned into being a high-performance content creator, hosting events and building custom rigs like his 2,000-HP Chevy Apache truck.
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He’s also become a fixture at Buffalo Bills games, often seen on the sidelines supporting Josh Allen alongside Hailee. It seems like the "Steinfeld Squad" has just expanded to include the NFL world.
Living the "Wide Open" Lifestyle
If you’re trying to keep up with Griffin, forget the gossip columns. You’re better off checking out his YouTube channel or following his builds. He’s someone who clearly prefers the smell of race fuel over the smell of expensive perfume at a gala.
The takeaway here? Griffin Steinfeld isn't "living in the shadow" of his sister. He’s just operating in a completely different lane—literally. He’s proof that you can be part of a high-profile family without losing your own identity or your passion for getting your hands dirty.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
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- Follow the Builds: If you're into car culture, his YouTube vlogs offer a genuine look at what it takes to build a competitive drag car from scratch.
- Watch the Credits: Next time you re-watch Bumblebee, keep an eye out for the driving sequences. Knowing Griffin is behind the wheel adds a layer of "cool" to the sibling dynamic.
- Ignore the "Blue Suit" Rumors: There was a brief period where fans confused a guy in a blue suit at the Kentucky Derby for Griffin—it wasn't him. Stick to his verified socials for the real updates.
Griffin continues to be the anchor for Hailee as she navigates her massive career, and as they both get older, that bond only seems to get tighter. Whether he's at the track or at a movie premiere, he’s clearly comfortable exactly where he is.