Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all been there—curled up on the couch, watching a fictional man do the most horrific things imaginable, yet somehow finding ourselves thinking, Wait, why am I kind of rooting for him? That’s the "Joe Goldberg effect." It’s unsettling. It’s weird. And it’s exactly why the search for Joe Goldberg real name never actually stops.
Whether you just finished a binge-watch of You on Netflix or you're a die-hard fan of the Caroline Kepnes novels, there is a weird disconnect between the character and the actor. You see a face that looks like a "Lonely Boy" from the Upper East Side, but he’s talking about literal murder.
The Man Behind the Stalker: Who is Penn Badgley?
If you’re looking for the Joe Goldberg real name, the answer is Penn Badgley.
But knowing his name is only half the battle. Penn isn't just "the guy from that show." He’s a 39-year-old actor (born November 1, 1986) who has spent nearly a decade of his life living inside the head of a serial killer. Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle he’s as well-adjusted as he seems in interviews.
Penn was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His full name? Penn Dayton Badgley.
Funny enough, his first name wasn't inspired by the state of Pennsylvania. It actually comes from a brand of tennis balls. His father was apparently holding a Penn tennis ball during his mother’s first sonogram. Imagine being named after sports equipment because you were the size of a tennis ball in the womb. Kind of a vibe, actually.
Why Does Everyone Keep Calling Him Dan?
You can't talk about Joe Goldberg real name without mentioning Dan Humphrey.
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Before Penn was locking people in glass cages in New York bookshops, he was the "outsider" in the hit CW series Gossip Girl. For six years, he played Dan, the brooding writer who ended up being the titular Gossip Girl.
The internet has a theory. It’s a joke, but it’s also... not? Fans love to claim that Joe Goldberg is just Dan Humphrey after he finally snapped. Think about it:
- Both are obsessed with books.
- Both are "outsiders" looking in.
- Both have a weirdly high opinion of their own moral compass.
- Both live in New York (at least initially).
Even Penn himself has leaned into this. In several interviews, he’s joked that Joe is basically "Dan with a knife." It’s that archetypal "nice guy" who is actually deeply terrifying. When people search for Joe's real name, they're often subconsciously looking for that connection to the actor who defined a whole generation of teen drama.
Behind the Scenes: Is Joe Goldberg Based on a Real Person?
One of the biggest misconceptions about Joe Goldberg is that he’s based on a specific real-life killer.
He’s not.
Caroline Kepnes, the author of the books, has said the voice for Joe came to her while she was in a coffee shop. She felt someone staring at her intently, and that "unsettling glare" sparked the inner monologue of the character we now know.
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However, within the universe of the show, Joe's "real" identity is a mess of aliases. If you're looking for his in-universe legal name, it's Joseph Gabriel Goldberg. But over five seasons, he’s gone by:
- Will Bettelheim (The identity he stole when he moved to LA).
- Jonathan Moore (His professor persona in London).
- Paul Brown.
- Spencer Hewitt.
His birth name is actually Joseph Gabriel Passero. He took the name Goldberg from his biological mother, Sandy Goldberg, after a pretty traumatic childhood involving his abusive biological father, Raphael Passero.
The Complex Relationship Between Penn and Joe
Penn Badgley kind of hates Joe.
Okay, maybe "hate" is a strong word, but he is incredibly vocal about how much of a "disgusting human being" Joe Goldberg is. In an era where fans make "thirst traps" for serial killers, Penn has been a refreshing voice of reason. He constantly reminds his 5 million+ Instagram followers that Joe is a predator, not a romantic hero.
He even asked the showrunners to reduce the number of intimate scenes in the later seasons. Why? Because he wanted to remain faithful to his real-life wife, Domino Kirke.
"Fidelity is important to me," he told the Podcrushed podcast.
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That’s the biggest difference between Joe and Penn. Joe pretends to be a good man to get what he wants; Penn actually tries to be a good man, even if it means making his character less "palatable" to the audience.
Where is He Now? (The 2026 Update)
As of 2026, the You saga has officially wrapped up its fifth and final season. Penn Badgley has finally hung up the baseball cap. He’s moved on to other projects, including his incredibly successful podcast, Podcrushed, where he talks about the awkwardness of middle school and adolescence.
He’s also busy being a dad to his biological son, James, and his stepson, Cassius. And big news for the Badgley-Kirke household: they recently welcomed twins!
So, while Joe Goldberg might be rotting in a prison cell (or finally meeting his end), Penn Badgley is doing just fine.
Quick Facts: Joe Goldberg vs. Penn Badgley
| Feature | Joe Goldberg | Penn Badgley |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph Gabriel Passero | Penn Dayton Badgley |
| Age | Born 1988 (approx) | Born 1986 |
| Home Base | Currently New York (Post-London) | Brooklyn, NY |
| Favorite Hobby | Stalking / Book Restoration | Music (Band: MOTHXR) / Activism |
| Marital Status | Widower (Love Quinn) / Married (Kate Lockwood) | Married (Domino Kirke) |
What to Do If You're Still "Obsessed"
If you find yourself searching for Joe Goldberg real name because you miss the show, there are a few ways to scratch that itch without re-watching Joe kill people for the tenth time.
- Listen to Podcrushed: If you want to hear Penn Badgley's actual voice (which is remarkably similar to Joe's narration, just less... murdery), this is the best way to do it. It’s insightful and actually very funny.
- Read the Books: Caroline Kepnes has four books in the series now: You, Hidden Bodies, You Love Me, and For You and Only You. The book version of Joe is even darker and more cynical than the TV version.
- Check out Penn’s Music: His band, MOTHXR, has a very cool, indie-synth vibe. It’s a great way to see a completely different side of his creativity.
The fascination with Joe Goldberg isn't going away anytime soon. But it's important to remember the line between the character and the actor. Penn Badgley is a guy who loves tennis-ball-inspired names and his family; Joe Goldberg is a guy who needs to stay in his glass cage.
Next Steps for the Fan:
Start by listening to the "Call Her Daddy" interview with Penn Badgley from 2025. He goes deep into the "Dan vs. Joe" debate and finally puts those Gossip Girl rumors to rest. After that, pick up the latest Caroline Kepnes novel to see how the "real" Joe Goldberg differs from the one on your screen.