Fred Hechinger (pronounced /ˈhɛkɪndʒər/) is a distinguished American actor who started his acting journey around 2018. He initially began his career with supporting roles in various films such as the coming-of-age film Eighth Grade (2018), the period drama News of the World (2020), and the psychological thriller The Woman in the Window (2021). In 2021, he notably starred in the Netflix horror, The Fear Street Trilogy, and also bagged a major role in the first season of the HBO anthology series The White Lotus. In 2022, Hechinger transitioned to mini-series and embodied the persona of Seth Warshavsky in Pam & Tommy. By 2024, this New Yorker actor further expanded his portfolio by starring in the comedy film Thelma and championing the character Caracalla in the monumental action film Gladiator II.

Hechinger's early life traces back to New York City where he was born to Sarah Rozen and Paul Hechinger. His education editor granddad, Fred M. Hechinger, was associated with The New York Times, a detail that adds to Hechinger's sophisticated lineage. He grew up on the upper west side and completed his school education from Saint Ann's School, where he shared classrooms with fellow notable actors like Lucas Hedges and Maya Hawke. Part of his early years also included being a teen reporter and studying at Upright Citizens Brigade. He follows Judaism as his religious path.