Glen Powell

Latest News: Glen Powell Stars in Twisters

Glen Powell is drawing on a personal, harrowing experience to prepare for his role in the highly anticipated summer blockbuster Twisters. In an interview with Total Film, the 35-year-old actor recounted a terrifying tornado encounter from his childhood in Texas.

“It was an F5—one of the big ones,” Powell recalled, referring to the devastating storm that struck the small town of Jarrell while he and his family were driving nearby. “I was outrunning it with my aunt Taffy and a car full of cousins. I remember us having to take shelter. It didn’t get close enough to cause any damage, but I remember the fear of being on the road when, you know, the biggest imaginable one was kind of coming through.”

In Twisters, Powell will not be fleeing from the destructive forces of nature but confronting them head-on as fictional storm chaser Tyler Owens. The film, which also stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos, is set to hit theaters on July 19.

Who Is Glen Powell?

Glen Powell is a rising star in Hollywood, best known for his standout roles in Top Gun: Maverick and the romantic comedy Anyone But You. Raised in Austin, Texas, Powell began his career in the arts as a child stage performer. His film debut came as a teenager in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003), but it was his role in the TV horror comedy Scream Queens and his portrayal of astronaut John Glenn in the 2016 biographical drama Hidden Figures that earned him wider recognition. Today, Powell is regarded as one of Hollywood’s most promising leading men.

Early Life and Parents

Glen Thomas Powell Jr. was born on October 21, 1988, in Austin, Texas. He is the son of Glen Powell Sr., a former executive coach, and Cyndy Powell, a stay-at-home mother to Glen and his two siblings, an older sister, Lauren, and a younger sister, Leslie.

From a young age, Powell’s passion for movies and acting was influenced by his parents. At the age of five, his father took him to see Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg, which had a profound impact on him. Powell became captivated by the film’s special effects, watching it multiple times both in theaters and at home, attempting to uncover its cinematic secrets. According to Austin Monthly, he began creating his own science fiction films using a home video camera, recruiting friends to act, and hunting for props in his family’s basement. Recognizing his budding interest, his parents encouraged him to pursue acting lessons. As part of the Austin Musical Theater program, Powell earned his first stage role as an understudy in The Music Man in 2000, and he also appeared in local productions of The Sound of Music and Oliver! at the Paramount Theater.

His parents continue to play an active role in his life and career, even making cameo appearances in several of his films. Most recently, they appeared as a couple on the beach in the 2022 war drama Devotion and as passengers in the 2023 romantic comedy Anyone But You. Powell has expressed deep gratitude for his parents’ unwavering support, calling them his “wingmen” on his journey. “Your parents are your wingmen on this journey, and I have the best wingmen alive,” he said.

Although Powell was already progressing in his acting career, he completed his education at Westwood High School in Austin, where he was involved in football and lacrosse before graduating in 2007. He went on to study radio, television, and film at the University of Texas at Austin, though he did not finish his degree.

Movies: Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You

Powell’s early career was greatly influenced by his location in Austin, which led to his first onscreen role in the 2003 children’s film Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over. The movie, directed by Robert Rodriguez, was filmed in Austin, and Powell, then 14, was discovered as a “local hire” to complement the predominantly Los Angeles-based cast. Rodriguez recalled that Powell stood out for his confidence and performance, qualities that he saw as indicative of Powell’s future success in acting. “He walked in with a stature and confidence and just nails it,” Rodriguez told IndieWire. “It’s no surprise to see he made it as an actor; he already had that quality at 14 and clarity of vision that that’s what he was supposed to be.”

Over the next few years, Powell, credited as Glen Powell Jr., took on minor roles in several films, including The Wendell Baker Story (2005), Fast Food Nation (2006), and The Hottest State (2006).

While still in high school, Powell briefly considered stepping back from his acting ambitions until a pivotal moment on the set of the 2007 film The Great Debaters. While filming, Powell portrayed Harvard University student Preston Whittington and received a career-defining pep talk from Denzel Washington, who encouraged him to fully commit to acting. “Denzel Washington really pushed me out of the nest a bit and said, ‘You should double-down on yourself. You should give [acting] a shot,’” Powell later recalled during an appearance on Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist.

Rising Star: The Dark Knight Rises and Hidden Figures

After taking Washington’s advice, Powell began to gain momentum in his career, securing more prominent roles in major film projects. One of his early significant appearances was in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises (2012), where he portrayed an unnamed Gotham Stock Exchange trader. This role marked a pivotal moment in Powell’s transition to more notable films. He further solidified his presence in Hollywood with a role in The Expendables 3 (2014), joining action icons such as Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In 2016, Powell’s career took a remarkable turn when he played astronaut John Glenn in Hidden Figures, a historical drama about the groundbreaking Black women at NASA—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. Despite his initial self-doubt after viewing a rough cut of the film, Powell’s portrayal was met with critical acclaim. In an interview with Variety, he expressed concerns that he had “ruined this beautiful movie,” but the film went on to gross over $230 million worldwide and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Powell’s next ventures took him into the realm of comedy with roles in the teen film Everybody Wants Some!! (2016) and the Netflix rom-com Set It Up (2018). These roles allowed him to showcase a lighter side and further establish his versatility as an actor.

Top Gun: Maverick

After a brief hiatus from the big screen, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Powell made a triumphant return in 2022 with three major films: the war drama Devotion, the Netflix animated film Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood, and the blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick. The latter, a sequel to the iconic 1986 film, became the highest-grossing film of the year, earning nearly $1.5 billion globally. Powell’s portrayal of the cocky naval aviator Jake “Hangman” Seresin garnered significant attention, elevating his profile beyond any of his previous roles.

Initially, Powell had auditioned for the role of Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (ultimately played by Miles Teller) but was offered the part of Hangman after Tom Cruise, the film’s executive producer, personally praised his audition. To prepare for the physically demanding role, Powell underwent extensive training, including underwater escape simulations and G-force flights in F-18 aircraft. In a generous gesture, Cruise paid for Powell to complete flight school, which allowed him to earn his pilot’s license. Despite his initial reservations about playing an arrogant character, Powell’s performance as Hangman became one of the film’s standout elements.

Anyone But You

In 2023, Powell starred in another hit, Anyone But You, a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. His chemistry with Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney was a highlight of the romantic comedy, which became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy in eight years. Powell’s performance continued to build his momentum, setting the stage for an exciting 2024.

Upcoming Projects and Career Trajectory

Powell’s career shows no signs of slowing down. In 2024, he will star in Hit Man, an action film on Netflix, for which he also serves as a writer and producer. Additionally, he plays Tyler Owens, a storm chaser, in the disaster movie Twisters, set for release in July. Powell also stars in the legal drama Monsanto, which Netflix purchased for over $30 million, alongside Anthony Mackie and Laura Dern.

Television Appearances: Scream Queens and Beyond

In addition to his extensive film career, Powell has made his mark in television. His acting debut came with a small role on Jack & Bobby in 2004, followed by guest appearances on series such as Without a Trace, CSI: Miami, Rizzoli & Isles, and NCIS. Powell gained wider recognition in 2015 when he joined the cast of Scream Queens, playing Chad Radwell, a fraternity brother in the Fox horror-comedy series. His performance on the show has continued to resonate with audiences, with Powell noting in a 2023 Deadline interview that the recognition he receives for Scream Queens is still surprisingly high. He has also lent his voice to Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (2020–2022) and an episode of Rick and Morty in 2023, further showcasing his versatility.

With an impressive body of work across film and television, Powell is poised to continue his rise as one of Hollywood’s leading talents.

Relationship History

Powell is currently single and has never been married. His most recent relationship was with model Gigi Paris, which lasted for about three years, beginning in 2020. The couple made several public appearances together, including at the 2022 premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. However, in April 2023, People reported that the pair had broken up multiple times and ultimately decided to part ways for good.

Following his split from Paris, speculation arose regarding Powell’s relationship with Anyone But You co-star Sydney Sweeney, as the two shared notable on-screen chemistry. While the actors have denied any romantic involvement, they admitted to playing along with the rumors as a promotional strategy for the film. Powell even made a guest appearance during Sweeney’s monologue as Saturday Night Live host in March 2024, humorously acknowledging the gossip. Powell shared with The New York Times, “Sydney and I have a ton of fun together, and we have a ton of effortless chemistry. That’s people wanting what’s on the screen off the screen, and sometimes you just have to lean into it a bit—and it worked wonderfully.”

Powell has also been romantically linked to actress Nina Dobrev in 2017, as well as Australian TV host Renee Bargh, with whom he was involved from 2018 through 2019.

Net Worth

Although Powell’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed, Life & Style magazine estimated in May 2024 that his fortune is between $7 million and $10 million. This figure is likely to rise following the success of Anyone But You, with reports indicating Powell earned $5 million for his role in the film.