Dylan O’Brien is an American actor who rose to fame as Stiles Stilinski on MTV’s Teen Wolf and as Thomas in the Maze Runner film trilogy. Born on August 26, 1991, in New York City, he has since built a diverse career spanning blockbuster franchises, indie dramas, and critically acclaimed thrillers. This article covers his biography, filmography, personal life, and upcoming projects.
Who Is Dylan O’Brien?
- Dylan O’Brien is best known for his dual role in the Teen Wolf series and the Maze Runner film trilogy.
- He has not publicly confirmed a spouse or long-term partner; current relationship status is unverified.
- His career trajectory includes a hiatus after a serious on-set accident in 2016, followed by a successful return.
- O’Brien maintains a low social media profile, with no verified official Instagram account; the active fan account @dylanobrienis is not authoritative.
- Upcoming projects include the film Caddo Lake (2024) and Saturday Night (2024), with more in development.
Early Life and Background
O’Brien was raised by his mother, Lisa Rhodes, a former actress who ran an acting school, and his father, Patrick B. O’Brien, a camera operator (IMDb – Dylan O’Brien). His father is of Irish descent, while his mother is of English, Spanish, and Italian ancestry. He grew up in Springfield Township, New Jersey, before moving to Hermosa Beach, California at age 12.
Initially, he planned to pursue sports broadcasting, aiming to work for the New York Mets, and intended to attend Syracuse University as a sports broadcasting major (All American Speakers). He also considered becoming a cinematographer like his father. His interest in acting prevailed, leading him to skip college and move to Los Angeles. At 14, he created a YouTube channel (“moviekidd826”) posting short comedic videos, which brought him significant attention and his first major acting role (YouTube).
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 2011–present |
| First Major Role | Stiles Stilinski on Teen Wolf (2011) |
| Breakthrough Film | The Maze Runner (2014) |
| Awards | Young Hollywood Award, MTV Movie Award nominations |
Is Dylan O’Brien Married or Dating?
Dylan O’Brien has not publicly confirmed a wife or long-term partner. Multiple sources, including fan accounts, speculate about relationships, but no official statement exists. The exact status of his relationship with any individual is unverified. He is known for maintaining a low profile regarding his personal relationships (Dylan O’Brien Fan Site).
Dylan O’Brien has not publicly confirmed a spouse or long-term partner. Multiple sources (including fan accounts) speculate about relationships, but no official statement exists.
What Are the Best Dylan O’Brien Movies and TV Shows?
Teen Wolf (2011–2017)
After four auditions, he was cast as Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf, a role he originally wanted over the character Scott. The series ran for six seasons (2011–2017) and made him a household name among teens (Rotten Tomatoes – Dylan O’Brien Movies & TV).
The Maze Runner Trilogy
In 2014, he achieved global prominence as the lead Thomas in The Maze Runner, followed by The Scorch Trials (2015) and The Death Cure (2018) (Wikipedia – Dylan O’Brien). This role earned him the Best New Film Actor award in 2014 and an MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Fight.
Other Notable Roles
- Caleb Holloway in Deepwater Horizon (2016)
- Mitch Rapp in American Assassin (2017)
- Voice of Bumblebee in Bumblebee (2018)
- Max in Love and Monsters (2020), which received critical acclaim
- Dan Aykroyd in Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night
- Caddo in Caddo Lake (2024)
Filmography: Movies & TV Shows
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | High Road | Dave | Film debut in improvised indie feature |
| 2012 | The First Time | Dave | Lead role in comedy |
| 2013 | The Internship | Stuart | Supporting role in Vince Vaughn/Owen Wilson comedy |
| 2014 | The Maze Runner | Thomas | Lead role |
| 2015 | The Scorch Trials | Thomas | Lead role |
| 2016 | Deepwater Horizon | Caleb Holloway | Disaster film |
| 2017 | American Assassin | Mitch Rapp | Action thriller |
| 2018 | Bumblebee | Bumblebee (Voice) | Transformers installment |
| 2018 | The Death Cure | Thomas | Final film in trilogy |
| 2020 | Love and Monsters | Max | Adventure film; critical acclaim |
| 2020 | The Education of Fredrick Fitzell | Fredrick | Horror film |
| 2022 | The Outfit | Leonard | Mystery thriller |
| 2022 | Not Okay | Dane | Comedy |
| 2024 | Caddo Lake | Caddo | Horror film |
| 2025 | Twinless | Josh | Independent film; Sundance Audience Award winner |
| 2025 | Ponyboi | Roman/Rocky | Also Executive Producer |
| 2026 | Send Help | Lead | Survival horror directed by Sam Raimi |
TV Shows:
| Year | TV Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2017 | Teen Wolf | Stiles Stilinski | Main Role |
| 2019 | Weird City | Stu | Episode 1 |
| 2020 | Fantasmas | Sam Taylor | Episode 1 (also known as Amazing Stories) |
| 2023 | The Other Two | – | Third episode of Season 3 |
What Is Dylan O’Brien’s New Movie?
In 2025, he received critical acclaim for his lead role in the indie film Twinless, which won the Audience Award at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. He also starred in and executive produced the film Ponyboi. In 2026, he starred in Sam Raimi’s Send Help alongside Rachel McAdams.
Dylan O’Brien has completed filming for Caddo Lake (expected release 2025) and Saturday Night (2024). He is reportedly attached to a new thriller project (unconfirmed title). Fans can expect continued work in both independent films and potential streaming series.
Does Dylan O’Brien Have an Instagram?
Dylan O’Brien does not have a verified official Instagram account. The most followed fan account, @dylanobrienis, is not authoritative. He maintains a low social media profile overall.
What Happened to Dylan O’Brien After Teen Wolf?
During the filming of The Death Cure, O’Brien suffered a severe ankle injury that required a break from acting before he returned to the screen. After his recovery, he returned with a more selective approach to projects, starring in films like Love and Monsters and The Outfit.
Key Events in Dylan O’Brien’s Career
- 1991: Born in New York City to a former actress and a camera operator.
- 2011: Cast as Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf, his first major role.
- 2014: Starred as Thomas in The Maze Runner, gaining international fame.
- 2015: Reprised role in Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.
- 2016: Suffered significant injuries on the set of Maze Runner: The Death Cure; filming delayed.
- 2018: Recovered and released The Death Cure; starred in American Assassin.
- 2021: Starred in the horror film The Black Phone (supporting role).
- 2025: Twinless wins Audience Award at Sundance; stars in and executive produces Ponyboi.
- 2026: Stars in Sam Raimi’s Send Help.
What Is Known and What Is Uncertain About Dylan O’Brien’s Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Dylan O’Brien was born on August 26, 1991 in New York City. | Dylan O’Brien has not publicly confirmed a wife or long-term partner. Multiple sources (including fan accounts) speculate about relationships, but no official statement exists. |
| His first major role was Stiles Stilinski on Teen Wolf. | The exact status of his relationship with any individual is unverified. |
| He starred in the Maze Runner trilogy. | His upcoming projects beyond 2025 are not fully announced; some roles are in pre-production. |
| He was injured on set in 2016 and later recovered. |
What Is the Context of Dylan O’Brien’s Career Choices?
Dylan O’Brien transitioned successfully from teen television to major film franchises, demonstrating versatility in action (Maze Runner), horror (The Black Phone), and indie dramas (Love and Monsters). The 2016 accident on the set of The Death Cure was a pivotal career moment, leading to a hiatus and a more selective project approach. Unlike many teen stars, O’Brien has avoided major public scandals and maintains a relatively private personal life, which fuels curiosity and speculation. His choice of roles after recovery indicates a preference for character-driven projects over blockbuster franchises.
Sources and Quotes
“I’m always looking for something that scares me a little bit.” – Dylan O’Brien on role selection (from an interview with Variety, 2022)
Authoritative sources include Wikipedia – Dylan O’Brien (encyclopedic article, high authority), IMDb – Dylan O’Brien (professional filmography database), and Rotten Tomatoes – Dylan O’Brien Movies & TV (critical ratings aggregation).
What Is the Summary of Dylan O’Brien’s Career So Far?
Dylan O’Brien is an American actor who rose to fame through Teen Wolf and the Maze Runner trilogy. After a serious on-set injury in 2016, he returned with a diverse range of roles in indie films, thrillers, and dramatic projects. As of 2025, he continues to build a career marked by critical acclaim and careful project selection, with upcoming films like Caddo Lake, Saturday Night, and Send Help. For similar biographies, see Lily Collins – Biography, Husband, Movies and Baby News 2025 at readingwire.co.uk or Sam Claflin – Biography, Movies, Age, Height and Net Worth at readingwire.co.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dylan O’Brien
How tall is Dylan O’Brien?
Dylan O’Brien is frequently listed as 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) tall.
What is Dylan O’Brien’s net worth?
Net worth estimates vary; many sources suggest between $5 million and $10 million as of 2025.
Is Dylan O’Brien on Twitter?
Dylan O’Brien does not have an official verified Twitter account. Fans follow a dedicated account @dylanobrien.
What happened to Dylan O’Brien’s face?
He suffered facial injuries during the on-set accident in 2016, but has since fully recovered and has no permanent visible damage.
Does Dylan O’Brien have a wife?
No public records or official statements confirm that Dylan O’Brien is married. He has been linked to co-stars but never confirmed a spouse.
Is Dylan O’Brien in a relationship?
Dylan O’Brien has not publicly confirmed a relationship as of 2025.
How old is Dylan O’Brien?
He was born on August 26, 1991, making him 33 years old as of 2025.
Where was Dylan O’Brien born?
He was born in New York City, New York, USA.
Does Dylan O’Brien have children?
There are no public records or reports indicating Dylan O’Brien has children.
What is Dylan O’Brien’s most famous role?
He is best known for playing Stiles Stilinski in MTV’s Teen Wolf and Thomas in The Maze Runner film series.
Laura Pemberton is Entertainment Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering celebrity news, film, TV, music, arts and culture.