It is easy to look at a name like Spielberg and assume the path to Hollywood was paved with gold-plated scripts and easy "yes" votes. Honestly, that’s usually how it works in this town. But if you actually dig into the Sawyer Spielberg movies and tv shows filmography, you find a weird, gritty, and surprisingly stage-heavy journey that doesn't look like a typical "nepo baby" highlight reel.
He didn't start with a lead in a blockbuster. He started in a basement theater in Venice Beach.
Sawyer Avery Spielberg is the son of Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, yet his early career was defined more by off-Broadway credits than summer tentpoles. He spent years in New York City, often using his middle name, Sawyer Avery, to try and get a footing in the theater scene. He was at the Atlantic Theater Company. He founded a theater group. Basically, he did the "struggling actor" thing as much as one can when your dad directed Jaws.
The Breakthrough: Masters of the Air and Modern TV
For most people, the introduction to Sawyer happened in early 2024. He landed the role of Lt. Roy Frank Claytor in the Apple TV+ massive hit Masters of the Air. It’s a bit poetic, really. His first major TV break came in a project executive-produced by his father and Tom Hanks, focusing on the same World War II history that defined his dad's most iconic work.
But here is the thing: he didn't get it because of his last name. He had to go through a grueling audition process that lasted months.
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In Masters of the Air, Sawyer plays a real-life pilot. He’s part of the "Bloody Hundredth," the bomber group that took devastating losses over Germany. He isn't the flashy lead—those roles went to Austin Butler and Callum Turner—but he’s the steady, grounded presence that makes the show feel authentic. He spent weeks in a "boot camp" before filming even started, learning how to move like a 1940s soldier.
Why Honeydew Changed Everything
Before the big-budget TV shows, there was Honeydew (2021). If you haven't seen it, it's... strange. It’s a fever-dream horror movie directed by Devereux Milburn. Sawyer plays Sam, a guy on a camping trip with his girlfriend who ends up in a farmhouse owned by a very creepy woman and her even creepier son.
It was a bold choice for a debut lead role.
Most kids of Hollywood royalty choose a rom-com or a polished drama. Sawyer chose a movie where he spends a significant amount of time looking sweaty, terrified, and eating things no one should ever eat. It was a signal to the industry: he’s not looking for the easy, "pretty" roles. He wants the weird stuff. He wants to act.
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Recent Projects: From Cannes to Celine Song
The last couple of years have been a whirlwind for him. You might have spotted him in Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point (2024), a nostalgic indie film that made waves at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s a vibe-heavy movie about a family gathering, and it showed a softer, more naturalistic side of his acting than the horror or military roles.
Then there is Materialists. This is the one people are really talking about in the industry. Directed by Celine Song (the genius behind Past Lives), the film is a star-studded romantic comedy set in New York. Starring alongside Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson, Sawyer is moving into the big leagues.
A Quick Look at the Credits
If you're looking for a watchlist, here are the essential Sawyer Spielberg movies and tv shows to check out:
- Masters of the Air (2024) – The big one. He plays Lt. Roy Frank Claytor. It's streaming on Apple TV+.
- Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point (2024) – An indie darling. Very different from his other work.
- Honeydew (2021) – A bizarre, "backwoods" horror movie. Not for the faint of heart.
- Merry Good Enough (2023) – A quirky holiday dramedy where he plays a character named Sam.
- The Post (2017) – Blink and you'll miss him. He played a war protester in this one, directed by—you guessed it—his dad.
The Theater Roots You Probably Didn't Know About
You can't talk about Sawyer's career without mentioning the stage. That’s where he really "learned the trade," as they say. He’s done everything from Hamlet (playing Guildenstern) to contemporary off-Broadway plays like The Belgrade Trilogy.
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He’s a founding member of the "Where Are They Going" Theatre Company. That’s not the move of someone just trying to get famous; that’s the move of someone who loves the process. He’s spent more time in 99-seat theaters in New York than he has on red carpets.
What’s Next for Sawyer?
Looking ahead to late 2025 and 2026, he’s clearly transitioning from "up-and-coming indie actor" to a reliable face in major productions. With Materialists coming out and his performance in Masters of the Air still fresh in people's minds, he’s carved out a niche for himself. He feels like a character actor who just happens to have the looks of a leading man.
He’s also been rumored to be involved in some of the massive projects filming in the UK and NYC throughout 2026. While he isn't currently listed in the main cast for his father's upcoming June 2026 sci-fi event film (now titled Disclosure Day), fans are always looking for that cameo.
The most interesting thing about Sawyer isn't who his father is. It’s that he seems almost allergic to the "blockbuster" lifestyle. He lives in New York, he does indies, and he seems to prefer a script with some dirt under its fingernails.
Next Steps for Your Watchlist:
To get a full sense of his range, start with Masters of the Air on Apple TV+ to see his dramatic, historical side. If you're feeling brave and like "A24-style" weirdness, seek out Honeydew. It’s the best way to see the two very different paths he’s successfully walking right now.