Penn Badgley first gained industry attention as Phillip Chancellor IV on the soap opera The Young and the Restless between 2000 and 2001. Since that early start in daytime television, the Baltimore-born actor has navigated a diverse career spanning independent film, teen drama, and psychological thrillers, including his long-running portrayal of Joe Goldberg in the Netflix series You.
Early Development and Education
Born on November 1, 1986, to Duff and Lynne Badgley, Penn Badgley spent his early years in Maryland before moving to California at age 11 to pursue acting. His childhood involved theatre work with the Seattle Children's Theatre and the Pine Nut Players in Monroe, Washington. He bypassed traditional high school by passing a proficiency exam at age 14, allowing him to attend Santa Monica College. His academic journey continued with enrollment at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.
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Before reaching mainstream success, Badgley performed voice-over work for the video games Mario Golf 64 and Mario Tennis 64. His screen career included minor roles on Will & Grace, Daddio, and The Brothers García. In 2002, he took on the lead role of Joel Larsen in the WB series Do Over, followed by appearances on The Mountain and The Bedford Diaries. His breakthrough occurred in 2007 when he accepted the role of Dan Humphrey in the teen drama Gossip Girl, a character he portrayed for five years.
Film and Character Work
Badgley's transition to film included the 2006 comedy John Tucker Must Die and the 2009 thriller The Stepfather. He later joined the ensemble cast of the 2011 financial thriller Margin Call, which secured the Robert Altman Award. In 2012, he portrayed musician Jeff Buckley in the biopic Greetings from Tim Buckley, for which he underwent vocal and guitar training. Other notable credits include the drama The Paper Store, for which he won Best Actor at the Oxford International Film Festival.
Recent Projects
From 2018 through 2025, Badgley starred as the central antagonist in the psychological thriller series You. His performance received a Saturn Award nomination and critical recognition for its complexity. In 2021, he appeared in the film Here Today and the crime thriller The Birthday Cake. His recent work includes a cameo in the 2024 music video for Ariana Grande's 'The Boy Is Mine' and a casting announcement in 2025 for the Amazon MGM Studios production You Deserve Each Other.
Fast facts
- Born: 1 November 1986, Baltimore
- First screen credit: Will & Grace
- Notable role: Joe Goldberg in You (2018–2025)
- Early voice work: Mario Golf 64
- Education: Santa Monica College, Lewis & Clark College
- Religion: Baháʼí Faith
- Citizenship: United States
Questions readers ask
What was Penn Badgley's first major television role?
His first notable role was playing Phillip Chancellor IV on the soap opera The Young and the Restless from 2000 to 2001.
Did Penn Badgley finish high school?
He skipped high school, instead passing a proficiency exam at age 14 to begin attending Santa Monica College.
Achievements
- Educated at Santa Monica College and Young Actors Space
- Worked as actor, singer and child actor
