If you spent any time watching Nickelodeon in the mid-2010s, you definitely know the face. Jackie Radinsky was that lean, Southern-accented kid playing Sawyer Huggins on Bella and the Bulldogs. He had this specific kind of Texas charm that felt authentic, even if he was actually a California kid through and through. But if you try to look up Jackie Radinsky movies and tv shows today, you'll notice something pretty weird.
The trail mostly goes cold after about 2018.
He didn’t pull a typical child star "meltdown." He didn’t fade into total obscurity, either. He just... pivoted. It’s one of those Hollywood stories that doesn't get told often because it’s not scandalous. It’s just about a guy who realized he liked being behind the camera more than being in front of it.
The Nickelodeon Peak: Sawyer Huggins and Beyond
Most people start their search for Jackie Radinsky because of Bella and the Bulldogs. He played Sawyer, the loyal friend and cowboy-hat-wearing teammate of Bella Dawson. Honestly, he was the heart of that show in a lot of ways. He brought a grounded energy to a sitcom that could sometimes get pretty wacky.
But that wasn't his only stop. If you’re a fan of The Goldbergs, you might have spotted him playing Sergei. He popped up in several episodes, including "Revenge O' the Nerds" and "Flashy Little Flashdancer." He had this knack for playing the slightly awkward but endearing teenager that worked perfectly in the 80s-themed universe of the Goldberg family.
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Here is the thing though: his acting credits are actually pretty tight. He wasn't one of those kids who was in fifty different pilots.
- Bella and the Bulldogs (2015-2016): This was the big one. 40 episodes of Sawyer Huggins.
- The Goldbergs (2016-2018): A recurring role as Sergei.
- Nickelodeon's Ho Ho Holiday Special (2015): A classic Nick crossover event.
- The New Kid (2011): A silent short film that was basically a family project—his parents wrote and directed it.
- Breaking Bad: The Middle School Musical (2013): A hilarious Rhett & Link production where he played Walt Jr. (and Hector!).
Why the Acting Stopped
It’s easy to assume that if an actor stops appearing on screen, they "failed." That's rarely the truth. For Radinsky, the shift seemed intentional. Around 2018, his focus visibly shifted toward photography and directing.
If you look at his work now—under his "genreless Media" banner—it’s a total 180 from the bright, saturated world of Nickelodeon. He’s become a legitimate cinematographer and director. He’s worked on music videos and short films for artists like BLK ODYSSY, Liv.e, and LANY.
He's not the "cowboy kid" anymore. He’s a Los Angeles-based creative who spends more time thinking about film grain and lighting than hitting marks on a sitcom set. He even launched a Substack recently to talk about his creative process and his obsession with Japanese ambient music. It's a very "cool older brother" vibe.
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The "Middle School Musical" Era
Before he was a Nick star, Jackie was part of a very specific era of YouTube history. In 2013, Rhett & Link (of Good Mythical Morning fame) did these "Middle School Musical" parodies. Radinsky was a standout.
In the Breaking Bad version, he played Walt Jr., and he actually nailed the mannerisms in a way that was way too good for a parody sketch. He also showed up in their Man of Steel musical. These weren't just "kid roles"—they showed he had a genuine sense of comedic timing that a lot of child actors lack. It makes you wonder what kind of indie film career he could have had if he stayed the course.
Where is He in 2026?
Honestly? He’s thriving, just not in the way fans of Bella and the Bulldogs might expect. He isn't lobbying for a reboot or trying to get a role in the next Marvel movie.
Radinsky is firmly entrenched in the Los Angeles art scene. His recent project, Matcha at Baldy, is a short film that’s more about atmosphere and community than plot. He’s also been the creative director for "Tea at Shiloh," which is this community-focused tea space in LA. It’s all very "grounded in the outdoors," which is a far cry from the artificial turf of a TV football field.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Jackie
The biggest misconception is that he’s "retired." In the industry, "retired" usually means you can't get work. Jackie Radinsky is working constantly; he’s just the one holding the camera now.
He’s a director. He’s a photographer. He’s a creative director.
If you're looking for a full list of his acting work, you can find it on IMDb, but if you want to see what he’s actually doing today, you have to look at his cinematography portfolio. He’s contributing to the visual language of modern music videos in a way that's actually pretty influential in the indie scene.
How to Follow His Current Work
If you're over the nostalgia and want to see what a former child star looks like when they actually find their passion, here is how to keep up:
- Check out genreless.media: This is where his professional directing and cinematography work lives. It's very high-end, very moody.
- Read his Substack: He occasionally drops long-form thoughts on his "Journal" about the intersection of art, nature, and sound.
- Watch the "Better Days" music video: He worked on the visuals for the Polo G and Mae Muller collab. It’s a great example of his professional shift.
Don't expect a return to Nickelodeon. Jackie Radinsky has built a career that's much more interesting than a "where are they now" segment on a gossip site. He’s one of the few who made it out of the child-star machine with his creative soul completely intact.