The surprising real ages of actors when they were cast in famous teenage roles

Libby TorresJun 23, 2020, 03:55 IST

Tom Holland plays a high-schooler in "Spider-Man: Homecoming."Sony Pictures

Actors don't always play characters that are close to their real age, and teens in shows and movies are often played by adults.
Rachel McAdams was 25 when she played Regina George in "Mean Girls," and Tom Holland plays teenage superhero Peter Parker in the "Spider-Man" movies even though he's 24.
Other stars, like Emma Watson and Rebel Wilson, have also played significantly younger characters.

Age is just a number, and you don't have to be a teenager to play one on TV or in a movie.

While some actors are closer in age to their character counterparts, others can be two or even 15 years older than the characters they portray.

Here are 43 celebrities who are well-known for their teen roles, even though they weren't teens at the time.

Anjelica Oswald contributed to an earlier version of this article.

Tom Holland was 19 when he was first cast as teenage superhero Peter Parker in the "Spider-Man" movies, starting with 2017's "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

Tom Holland appeared as Spider-Man in "Captain America: Civil War" and the most recent "Avengers" movies. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

But Holland, now 24, has continued to play the role, most recently in 2019's "Spider-Man: Far From Home."

Tom Holland reportedly signed a six-movie deal with Marvel. Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

Troian Bellisario was cast as high school student Spencer Hastings on "Pretty Little Liars."

Troian Bellisario also appeared on "Suits." Eric McCandless/Freeform

In real life, Bellisario was 24 when she was cast as the high school junior. The character graduated from college after a five-year time jump.

Troian Bellisario married "Suits" costar Patrick Adams in 2016. Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images

Minka Kelly played high school cheerleader Lyla Garrity on "Friday Night Lights."

Minka Kelly currently has a role on the DC web series "Titans." NBC

She was 26 when the show premiered and was 28 when her character finally graduated from high school and headed off to Vanderbilt University.

Minka Kelly is the daughter of Aerosmith guitarist Rick Dufay. John Sciulli/Getty Images

Rachel McAdams ruled the Plastics as queen bee Regina George in "Mean Girls."

Rachel McAdams also starred in "The Notebook." Paramount Pictures

She was 25 when she was cast.

Rachel McAdams also appeared on the second season of HBO's "True Detective." Brian de Rivera Simon/Getty Images

Gabrielle Union played a sophomore high school student and best friend to Bianca Stratford in "10 Things I Hate About You."

Gabrielle Union, left, appeared with a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt in "10 Things I Hate About You." Buena Vista Pictures

She was 26 when the film was released, while Larisa Oleynik (Bianca) was 18.

Gabrielle Union had a cameo in the 2017 film "Girls Trip." Robin Marchant/Getty Images

The following year, she appeared in another high school role as the head cheerleader of the East Compton Clovers in "Bring It On."

Gabrielle Union has also appeared in several music videos. Universal Pictures

Chad Michael Murray won the hearts of teen girls everywhere as Lucas, a brooding basketball player with a penchant for writing on "One Tree Hill."

Chad Michael Murray appeared on six seasons of "One Tree Hill." Warner Bros.

Though Lucas was supposed be 16 on the first season, Murray was 22 when the show premiered.

Chad Michael Murray also had a role on Ryan Murphy's show "Scream Queens." Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images

Cam Gigandet portrayed Micah, a 20-year-old Christian high school student who contracts chlamydia in "Easy A."

Cam Gigandet appeared in the first "Twilight" film. Screen Gems

Gigandet was 27 during filming. Because of his real age, there's a joke incorporated into the film where Olive (Emma Stone) asks what a "22-year-old" is still doing in high school.

Cam Gigandet also starred with Minka Kelly and Leighton Meester in the 2011 thriller "The Roommate." Randy Shropshire/Getty Images

Gigandet was 27 during filming. Because of his real age, there's a joke incorporated into the film where Olive (Emma Stone) asks what a "22-year-old" is still doing in high school.

Ferris' day off could not be complete without his best friend Cameron, played by Alan Ruck, in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Alan Ruck also had a role in the 1994 thriller "Speed." Paramount Pictures

Ruck was 29 when he played Cameron. In comparison, Matthew Broderick (Ferris) was 23 and Mia Sara (Sloane) was 18.

Alan Ruck is currently starring on HBO drama "Succession." Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Benjamin McKenzie's Ryan Atwood was the bad boy with a big heart whose arrival rocked Newport Beach on "The O.C."

Benjamin McKenzie currently stars in the DC-inspired series "Gotham." Warner Bros.

McKenzie was 25 when he landed the role and 28 when Ryan finished high school.

Benjamin McKenzie is married, and has one child. Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

Lea Michele played the spunky and somewhat obnoxious high schooler Rachel Berry on "Glee."

Lea Michele had a successful Broadway career before starring on "Glee." Fox

She was 22 when the first episode aired.

Lea Michele is currently married to president of clothing brand AYR Zandy Reich. Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Stockard Channing earned a People's Choice Award for her role as high school student Rizzo in the musical "Grease."

Stockard Channing also appeared in "The West Wing." Paramount Pictures

She was 33 when she was cast in the role, and some of her costars, including Olivia Newton-John, were also older than their characters.

Stockard Channing was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the 1993 film "Six Degrees of Separation." Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for the McKittrick Hotel

Jason Earles is best known as Miley Cyrus' goofy older brother on Disney's "Hannah Montana."

Jason Earles guest starred on "Phil of the Future" before his role on "Hannah Montana." Disney Channel

Though he was portraying Hannah Montana's teen brother, Earles was 29.

Jason Earles got married in 2017. Mark Davis/Getty Images

Stacey Dash is known for being Cher's best friend in the cult comedy "Clueless."

Stacey Dash also appeared in the TV version of "Clueless" from 1996-1999. Paramount Pictures

Dash was 28 during the filming of the movie, 10 years older than Alicia Silverstone (Cher).

Stacey Dash ran for Congress in California in 2018. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Of the "Breakfast Club" teens, Judd Nelson, who played John Bender, was the oldest.

Judd Nelson also starred in the 1985 film "St. Elmo's Fire." Universal Pictures

He was was 25 when the movie was being filmed.

Judd Nelson guest starred on "Two and a Half Men" in 2010. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Rebel Wilson was supposed to be 19 in "Pitch Perfect."

Rebel Wilson also had roles in "Bridesmaids" and "How to Be Single." Universal Pictures

The actress was 32 when she played the college freshman.

Rebel Wilson's role in "Bridesmaids" was written especially for her. John Sciulli/Getty Images

Her co-star Anna Kendrick played Beca, an 18-year-old college freshman.

Anna Kendrick got her first big break for her role as Jessica Stanley in the "Twilight" franchise. Universal Pictures

She was 27 at the time the movie was released.

Anna Kendrick got her start in Broadway musicals. Craig Barritt/Getty Images

Most of the main teens in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" weren't teens at all.

Logan Lerman and Mae Whiman play a teenage couple at odds in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." Summit Entertainment

Mae Whitman was 24 when playing a high schooler. Logan Lerman was 20 and played a freshman and Emma Watson was a 22-year-old playing a high school senior.

Mae Whitman also appeared in the 2010 film "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Gregg Sulkin played a high schooler on "Marvel's Runaways."

Gregg Sulkin previously appeared on MTV comedy "Faking It." Hulu

He's actually 28.

Gregg Sulkin is a dual citizen of the U.K. and the U.S. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

"Riverdale" may follow high schoolers, but most of the cast aren't teens.

KJ Apa and Ashleigh Murray star on "Riverdale." Katie Yu/The CW

Ashleigh Murray, known for playing Josie, is 32. Casey Cott, who plays Kevin, and Cole Sprouse, who plays Jughead, are 27. Madelaine Petsch (Cheryl) and Camila Mendes (Veronica) are both 25.

Ashleigh Murray will reprise her "Riverdale" role on the CW's new "Katy Keene." Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Ashleigh Murray, known for playing Josie, is 32. Casey Cott, who plays Kevin, and Cole Sprouse, who plays Jughead, are 27. Madelaine Petsch (Cheryl) and Camila Mendes (Veronica) are both 25.

Francia Raisa plays a college sophomore on "Grown-ish."

"Grown-ish" is a spin-off of the ABC series "Black-ish." Eric Liebowitz/Freeform

She's actually 31, compared to her co-star Yara Shahidi, who is 19 and playing a sophomore.

Francia Raisa donated one of her kidneys to her best friend Selena Gomez, who suffers from lupus, in 2017. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Much of the "13 Reasons Why" cast is older than their high school characters.

Ross Butler stars on the show, which garnered controversy for its depictions of suicide. Netflix

Ross Butler may play a 17-year-old, but he's actually 30. And his costars Christian Navarro (Tony), Brandon Flynn (Justin), and Miles Heizer (Alex) are 28 and 26, respectively, even though they all play high schoolers.

Ross Butler also appeared in season one of "Riverdale." Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Ross Butler may play a 17-year-old, but he's actually 30. And his costars Christian Navarro (Tony), Brandon Flynn (Justin), and Miles Heizer (Alex) are 28 and 26, respectively, even though they all play high schoolers.

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The surprising real ages of actors when they were cast in famous teenage roles

Tom Holland was 19 when he was first cast as teenage superhero Peter Parker in the "Spider-Man" movies, starting with 2017's "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

But Holland, now 24, has continued to play the role, most recently in 2019's "Spider-Man: Far From Home."

Troian Bellisario was cast as high school student Spencer Hastings on "Pretty Little Liars."

In real life, Bellisario was 24 when she was cast as the high school junior. The character graduated from college after a five-year time jump.

Minka Kelly played high school cheerleader Lyla Garrity on "Friday Night Lights."

She was 26 when the show premiered and was 28 when her character finally graduated from high school and headed off to Vanderbilt University.

Rachel McAdams ruled the Plastics as queen bee Regina George in "Mean Girls."

She was 25 when she was cast.

Gabrielle Union played a sophomore high school student and best friend to Bianca Stratford in "10 Things I Hate About You."

She was 26 when the film was released, while Larisa Oleynik (Bianca) was 18.

The following year, she appeared in another high school role as the head cheerleader of the East Compton Clovers in "Bring It On."

Chad Michael Murray won the hearts of teen girls everywhere as Lucas, a brooding basketball player with a penchant for writing on "One Tree Hill."

Though Lucas was supposed be 16 on the first season, Murray was 22 when the show premiered.

Cam Gigandet portrayed Micah, a 20-year-old Christian high school student who contracts chlamydia in "Easy A."

Gigandet was 27 during filming. Because of his real age, there's a joke incorporated into the film where Olive (Emma Stone) asks what a "22-year-old" is still doing in high school.

Ferris' day off could not be complete without his best friend Cameron, played by Alan Ruck, in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Ruck was 29 when he played Cameron. In comparison, Matthew Broderick (Ferris) was 23 and Mia Sara (Sloane) was 18.

Benjamin McKenzie's Ryan Atwood was the bad boy with a big heart whose arrival rocked Newport Beach on "The O.C."

McKenzie was 25 when he landed the role and 28 when Ryan finished high school.

Lea Michele played the spunky and somewhat obnoxious high schooler Rachel Berry on "Glee."

She was 22 when the first episode aired.

Stockard Channing earned a People's Choice Award for her role as high school student Rizzo in the musical "Grease."

She was 33 when she was cast in the role, and some of her costars, including Olivia Newton-John, were also older than their characters.

Jason Earles is best known as Miley Cyrus' goofy older brother on Disney's "Hannah Montana."

Though he was portraying Hannah Montana's teen brother, Earles was 29.

Stacey Dash is known for being Cher's best friend in the cult comedy "Clueless."

Dash was 28 during the filming of the movie, 10 years older than Alicia Silverstone (Cher).

Of the "Breakfast Club" teens, Judd Nelson, who played John Bender, was the oldest.

He was was 25 when the movie was being filmed.

Rebel Wilson was supposed to be 19 in "Pitch Perfect."

The actress was 32 when she played the college freshman.

Her co-star Anna Kendrick played Beca, an 18-year-old college freshman.

She was 27 at the time the movie was released.

Most of the main teens in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" weren't teens at all.

Mae Whitman was 24 when playing a high schooler. Logan Lerman was 20 and played a freshman and Emma Watson was a 22-year-old playing a high school senior.

Gregg Sulkin played a high schooler on "Marvel's Runaways."

He's actually 28.

"Riverdale" may follow high schoolers, but most of the cast aren't teens.

Ashleigh Murray, known for playing Josie, is 32. Casey Cott, who plays Kevin, and Cole Sprouse, who plays Jughead, are 27. Madelaine Petsch (Cheryl) and Camila Mendes (Veronica) are both 25.

Francia Raisa plays a college sophomore on "Grown-ish."

She's actually 31, compared to her co-star Yara Shahidi, who is 19 and playing a sophomore.

Much of the "13 Reasons Why" cast is older than their high school characters.

Ross Butler may play a 17-year-old, but he's actually 30. And his costars Christian Navarro (Tony), Brandon Flynn (Justin), and Miles Heizer (Alex) are 28 and 26, respectively, even though they all play high schoolers.