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If you walked past a guy who was 6'5" with the jawline of a Greek statue and a Bottega bag slung over his shoulder, you’d probably do a double-take. That’s basically the Jacob Elordi experience in a nutshell. But honestly, if you still think he’s just that "tall guy from the Netflix rom-coms," you’ve missed the most interesting part of his story.
The reality is that Jacob Elordi is currently pulling off one of the most aggressive rebrands in Hollywood history. We aren't just talking about a heartthrob who decided to grow a mustache and do an indie film. He is actively dismantling the "teen idol" cage he was built in.
By early 2026, he’s gone from sleeping in his car in Los Angeles to being nominated for Golden Globes and starring as Frankenstein’s Monster. It’s been a wild ride.
The Brisbane Kid Who Obsessed Over Heath Ledger
Jacob wasn't some Hollywood legacy kid. He was born in Brisbane, Australia, in 1997. His dad, John, was a house painter who moved from the Basque Country to Australia when he was a kid. His mom, Melissa, was a stay-at-home parent. Jacob was the youngest of four, and by all accounts, he was a massive movie nerd from the jump.
He didn't just watch movies; he studied them. While other kids were playing rugby—which he also did until a back injury took him out—Jacob was reading biographies of Marlon Brando and Daniel Day-Lewis. He was that kid who did the school musicals, playing the Cat in the Hat in Seussical when he was 12.
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He has famously said that watching Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight was the moment he realized acting was "something important."
The Car, the Couch, and the Last Audition
You’ve probably heard the "struggling actor" trope a thousand times, but for Jacob, it was literal. After he finished filming the first Kissing Booth in 2017, he moved to LA. Things didn't just click. He was broke. He was couch-surfing. He was actually sleeping in his 2004 Mitsubishi.
He was about to pack it in and go back to Australia when he got the audition for a gritty HBO show called Euphoria. He has since admitted he had no money left and his visa was basically ticking down. He went in for Nate Jacobs, and the rest is history.
Why Jacob Elordi Is More Than Just Nate Jacobs
Most people met him through The Kissing Booth as Noah Flynn. It made him an overnight sensation—millions of Instagram followers in 24 hours—but it also made him miserable. He’s been pretty vocal about how much he disliked those movies, calling them "ridiculous" and "pretend."
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The real turning point was Euphoria. Playing Nate Jacobs—a character he’s described as a "sociopath" and a "narcissist"—showed he could do more than just look pretty in a leather jacket. He brought a terrifying, physical intensity to that role.
The 2023-2025 Prestige Run
If 2019 was about becoming a star, the last few years have been about becoming an actor. Look at the range:
- Priscilla (2023): He played Elvis Presley, but not the flashy "Vegas" Elvis. He played the complicated, often controlling version of the icon in Sofia Coppola's biopic.
- Saltburn (2023): He was Felix Catton, the charismatic, wealthy aristocrat who becomes the object of Barry Keoghan's obsession.
- Frankenstein (2025): This was the big one. Under the direction of Guillermo del Toro, he took over the role of "The Creature." Critics have been raving about his physicality here—how he uses his 6'5" frame to look vulnerable and childlike rather than just scary.
He just finished a miniseries called The Narrow Road to the Deep North, where he played a POW in WWII. That role earned him a Golden Globe nomination in January 2026, proving he’s officially left the "teen movie" world in the rearview mirror.
What's Next? Wuthering Heights and Beyond
If you think he's slowing down, you're wrong. In February 2026, he’s starring as Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights alongside Margot Robbie. It’s a massive casting choice that’s already sparked a lot of debate online about whether he can pull off the brooding, gothic intensity of one of literature's most famous "anti-heroes."
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Later this year, in August 2026, he’s also set to appear in Ridley Scott’s sci-fi film The Dog Stars.
The "Elordi Aesthetic" and Life Off-Screen
You can't really talk about Jacob Elordi without mentioning his style. He’s become a bit of a fashion icon for Gen Z, mostly because he mixes high-end luxury (he’s a Bottega Veneta and Cartier ambassador) with a sort of "cool dad" vibe. Think tiny shorts, loafers with white socks, and vintage-looking sunglasses.
He’s also famously private. He doesn't post on social media much anymore. He’s often spotted with a film camera around his neck, taking photos of his friends or the sets he’s on. He’s a guy who clearly wants to be seen as a serious artist rather than a "celebrity."
Key Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're following Jacob Elordi's career, there are a few things you can learn from how he's handled his rise:
- Pivoting is Power: He didn't let the success of a "bad" movie define him. He took risks on darker, weirder projects to change the narrative.
- Physicality Matters: Whether it's playing a hulking bully in Euphoria or a stitched-together creature in Frankenstein, he uses his height as a tool, not just an ornament.
- Privacy is a Choice: In an era where everyone overshares, his "mysterious" vibe has actually helped his brand.
He isn't just the next heartthrob. He’s someone who has spent the last decade carefully curating a career that will last long after the "teen crush" phase fades away. Whether you love him as the complicated Nate Jacobs or you're waiting to see him tackle Heathcliff, there's no denying he's one of the most interesting actors working today.
Keep an eye on the awards circuit this year—with the buzz around Frankenstein and The Narrow Road to the Deep North, he’s likely to be a permanent fixture on the red carpet. If you want to keep up with his filmography, start by watching his work in Priscilla to see exactly how he managed to step out of the shadow of his earlier roles.