Noah Schnapp | Age, Biography & Stranger Things Career
Noah Schnapp is an American actor best known for playing Will Byers in Netflix’s Stranger Things. Born on October 3, 2004, he is 22 years old as of 2026.
After growing up on the hit series, Schnapp graduated from college and made his London stage debut in 2026, while continuing to pursue film and business projects.
Who Is Noah Schnapp?
Noah Cameron Schnapp is an actor and entrepreneur whose career began before he reached his teens. His work spans television, movies, voice acting, consumer brands, and theater. His portrayal of Will Byers brought him international recognition and linked his own coming-of-age story with one of Netflix’s best-known characters.
| Quick fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Noah Cameron Schnapp |
| Date of birth | October 3, 2004 |
| Age | 22 years old as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, United States |
| Raised in | Scarsdale, New York |
| Known for | Will Byers in Stranger Things (2016 to 2025) |
| Parents | Mitchell and Karine Schnapp |
| Sibling | Chloe Schnapp, his fraternal twin sister |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, business degree (2026) |
| Notable other work | The Peanuts Movie, Bridge of Spies, The Tutor, Affluenza |
How Old Is Noah Schnapp, and Where Was He Born?
Noah Schnapp is 22 years old as of 2026. He was born on October 3, 2004, in New York City, and celebrated his 22nd birthday before this article’s publication date of October 25, 2026. He spent his childhood in Scarsdale, a suburb north of New York City.
His early interest in performing led to acting classes and auditions while he was still in elementary school. That training helped him move into professional work at an age when most children are just discovering their hobbies.
Who Are Noah Schnapp’s Parents and Twin Sister?
Noah Schnapp’s parents are Mitchell and Karine Schnapp, and his twin sister is Chloe Schnapp. Noah and Chloe are fraternal twins, born on the same day, and have appeared together in family photographs and social media videos.
His parents have roots in Montreal, Canada. In interviews and public posts, Noah has described a close bond with Chloe, who was among the first people he told about his sexuality. The family supported his early acting ambitions while emphasizing the value of education.
Is Noah Schnapp Jewish, and What Is His Family Background?
Yes, Noah Schnapp is Jewish. His family has Russian Jewish roots on his father’s side and Moroccan Jewish roots on his mother’s side. He has publicly discussed that heritage and has visited Israel, including a visit to Jerusalem’s Western Wall in July 2023.
His background also connects with some of his film roles. In Abe, he plays a boy whose Jewish and Palestinian relatives struggle to get along. In Waiting for Anya, his character helps Jewish children escape danger in Nazi-occupied France.
How Did Noah Schnapp Begin His Acting Career?
Noah Schnapp began acting professionally as a child and reached movie audiences in 2015. That year, he voiced Charlie Brown in The Peanuts Movie and played Roger Donovan in Steven Spielberg’s Cold War drama Bridge of Spies, opposite Tom Hanks.
The roles showed two different strengths: delivering emotion through his voice in animation and holding his own in a live-action historical film. Soon after, he was cast in a new Netflix science fiction series that would change his career.
How Old Was Noah Schnapp in Stranger Things Season 1?
Noah Schnapp was 11 years old when Stranger Things premiered on July 15, 2016. He had not yet turned 12 that year. His character, Will Byers, disappears at the start of the story, setting off the search that draws together the show’s families and young friends.
Although Will is missing for much of the first season, the role places Schnapp at the heart of the plot. He became a series regular in the second season, when Will’s frightening connection to the Upside Down gave him more screen time.
Why Was Noah Schnapp Important to Stranger Things?
Noah Schnapp played Will Byers across all five seasons of Stranger Things, from 2016 through 2025. Will’s experiences connect the show’s supernatural danger with themes of friendship, isolation, and growing up. Schnapp’s performance became especially important as Will struggled to understand his feelings and sense of belonging.
The fifth and final season rolled out in three parts on November 26, December 25, and December 31, 2025. It brought Will back to the center of the conflict with Vecna. In a Netflix interview published in December 2025, Schnapp described how much it meant to portray a more confident, active version of the character.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Noah Schnapp Appeared In?
Noah Schnapp’s acting credits include major studio films, independent dramas, comedy, voice roles, and television. His best-known screen work includes these productions:
- The Peanuts Movie (2015): voiced Charlie Brown in the animated feature.
- Bridge of Spies (2015): played Roger Donovan in Steven Spielberg’s drama.
- Stranger Things (2016 to 2025): starred as Will Byers in all five seasons.
- Abe (2019) and Waiting for Anya (2020): took leading roles in family-centered historical and social dramas.
- Hubie Halloween (2020) and The Tutor (2023): appeared in a comedy and a psychological thriller.
The Tutor gave him a darker role as Jackson, a teenager whose behavior troubles his private instructor. The contrast with Will Byers showed his interest in playing characters outside the familiar Hawkins storyline.
What Awards Has Noah Schnapp Won?
Noah Schnapp has received both individual honors and awards shared with the Stranger Things cast. Three career milestones stand out:
- 2017: shared the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
- 2018: won the MTV Movie & TV Award for Most Frightened Performance for Stranger Things.
- 2022: won the People’s Choice Award for Male TV Star of 2022 for Stranger Things.
These honors reflect different parts of his work: collaboration with an ensemble, a memorable performance during Will’s second-season storyline, and recognition from television audiences.
Did Noah Schnapp Attend College?
Yes, Noah Schnapp graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in business. He shared graduation photographs with his parents and sister after balancing college work with the final season of Stranger Things.
He had entered the university in 2022 and said he wanted a traditional college experience, including living in a dorm. His decision reflected an interest in learning skills beyond acting and building a life outside the entertainment industry.
Is Noah Schnapp Gay, and When Did He Come Out?
Yes, Noah Schnapp publicly came out as gay in a TikTok video on January 5, 2023. He described the relief of telling family and friends and said their response was accepting. In the post, he also connected the moment to Will Byers, whose sexuality had become clearer in Stranger Things.
Schnapp had confirmed in a July 2022 Variety interview that Will is gay and has feelings for Mike Wheeler. Later interviews described how playing Will helped him feel more comfortable with his own identity. His sexuality is public because he chose to share it, not because of rumors about his private life.
Does Noah Schnapp Have a Boyfriend, Girlfriend, Wife, or Partner?
Noah Schnapp has not publicly confirmed a current boyfriend or partner as of October 25, 2026, and there is no reliable public record that he is married. He generally keeps details of his dating life private. Claims about a girlfriend, wife, or secret relationship should not be treated as facts without his confirmation.
A widely shared Instagram post on April 1, 2026, appeared to introduce a boyfriend, but Schnapp clarified on April 2 that it was an April Fools’ joke. The photograph did not establish an actual relationship, despite headlines that initially suggested otherwise.
What Is Noah Schnapp’s Friendship With Millie Bobby Brown Like?
Noah Schnapp and Millie Bobby Brown are close friends who met while making Stranger Things in 2015. They have talked about their lasting off-screen bond, and Brown confirmed in November 2025 that Schnapp is the godfather of the daughter she and husband Jake Bongiovi welcomed through adoption.
Their friendship has fueled fan interest, but it should not be confused with a romantic relationship. They have described their connection in family terms, and Brown is married to Bongiovi.
What Was Noah Schnapp’s Israel and Zionism Controversy?
Noah Schnapp faced public criticism in November 2023 after video circulated showing him with people holding stickers that said “Zionism is sexy” and “Hamas is ISIS.” The footage drew objections online during the Israel-Hamas war and led some viewers to call for a boycott of Stranger Things.
In a video shared in January 2024, Schnapp said his views had been misunderstood and called for peace, the return of hostages, and protection for innocent Israelis and Palestinians.
The controversy concerns his publicly visible actions and statements; it does not justify treating every political label or internet claim about him as an independently verified fact.
What Businesses Has Noah Schnapp Worked On?
Noah Schnapp has launched food businesses as well as acting projects. In 2021, he helped establish TBH, short for To Be Honest, a snack company introduced with a palm-oil-free chocolate hazelnut spread. He discussed his interest in better ingredients and sustainability when the company launched.
In March 2023, he helped create TenderFix, a delivery-only chicken-tender concept developed with Nextbite and IHOP. It was offered through participating restaurant kitchens rather than a separate chain of storefronts. These projects help explain why he studied business while working in entertainment.
What Is Noah Schnapp Doing in 2026?
In 2026, Noah Schnapp moved from the completed Stranger Things series into theater and new film development. He made his London stage debut in Affluenza, a play written and directed by Andy Sandberg that began performances at Riverside Studios on September 26, 2026. He plays two different characters in the production.
In September 2026, he was also announced as part of the cast of the planned thriller Stealing From Pablo, alongside David Mazouz and Seu Jorge.
The project was in development at the time of the announcement, so it should not be listed as an already released movie. The stage production and prospective film point toward a wider range of adult roles.
How Tall Is Noah Schnapp?
IMDb lists Noah Schnapp’s height as 5 feet 8 inches, or about 173 centimeters. That figure is a public entertainment database listing, not a newly verified medical measurement, so it is more accurate to describe it as his commonly listed height than as an exact independently measured figure.
What Is Noah Schnapp’s Net Worth?
Noah Schnapp’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Celebrity websites publish estimates, but they do not provide complete records of his earnings, taxes, investments, or ownership interests. His acting career and food ventures are documented; a precise personal fortune is not.
His journey connects with the other Stranger Things stories in this collection. The Hawkins cast continues with Finn Wolfhard, David Harbour, Joe Keery, Gaten Matarazzo, Charlie Heaton, and Caleb McLaughlin.
Conclusion
Noah Schnapp became famous as Will Byers in Stranger Things, but his career now reaches beyond Hawkins. At 22 years old as of 2026, he has completed a business degree, appeared on the London stage, and pursued new film and food ventures.
His most enduring work so far is a character whose growth closely paralleled his own public journey into adulthood.
