Jared Gilman

Jared T. Raynor Gilman (born December 28, 1998) is an American actor who first captured international attention when he was cast as the eccentric orphan Sam Shakusky in Wes Anderson’s critically acclaimed 2012 film Moonrise Kingdom. At the tender age of twelve, Gilman immersed himself in the role by learning canoeing, mastering open‑fire cooking techniques, and studying Clint Eastwood’s performance in Escape from Alcatraz, demonstrating a level of dedication uncommon for child actors. The film’s success not only earned him a nomination for the 2014 Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film, but also cemented his reputation as a talented young performer capable of handling idiosyncratic characters.

Raised in South Orange, New Jersey, Gilman attended Chatham Day School before moving on to Newark Academy in Livingston, where he participated in the school golf club and balanced academics with his budding acting career. He later enrolled at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, continuing to hone his craft while pursuing a degree that blends performance with production. Beyond acting, Gilman has explored filmmaking by scripting, starring in, and editing his own short action videos, showcasing a multifaceted interest in the cinematic arts. He has also appeared in an outdoor‑themed Verizon Wireless commercial and reunited with Moonrise Kingdom co‑star Kara Hayward in Jim Jarmusch’s 2016 film Paterson. Open about his personal identity, Gilman identifies as Jewish and asexual, contributing to broader conversations about representation in Hollywood. As of the present, he remains active in the industry, with a career spanning from 2012 to the present and a growing portfolio that hints at both creative ambition and evolving artistic maturity. His continued involvement in both independent projects and mainstream productions signals a versatile trajectory that many critics anticipate will expand his influence in the coming years.