Caleb McLaughlin is an American actor born October 13, 2001, in Carmel, New York, who gained international recognition portraying Lucas Sinclair in Netflix’s “Stranger Things” since 2016. McLaughlin began his career on Broadway as Young Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King” from 2012-2014, after training at prestigious institutions including Harlem School of the Arts. His television breakthrough earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award and compensation reaching $7 million for the series’ fifth season, establishing his prominence among Hollywood’s rising talents with additional credits in “Concrete Cowboy” and “The New Edition Story,” while his extensive artistic journey reveals remarkable professional evolution.

While many young actors struggle to shift from stage to screen, Caleb McLaughlin has successfully navigated both mediums, establishing himself as a versatile performer through his breakthrough role as Lucas Sinclair in Netflix‘s critically acclaimed series “Stranger Things.” Born on October 13, 2001, in Carmel, New York, to parents April and Corey McLaughlin, the actor began his entertainment career with thorough dance and performing arts training at institutions including Happy Feet Dance School, Seven Star School of Performing Arts, and the prestigious Harlem School of the Arts under instructor Aubrey Lynch.
McLaughlin’s professional career commenced on Broadway, where he portrayed Young Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King” from 2012 to 2014, demonstrating his capabilities in musical theater at a remarkably young age. During this period, he also secured television appearances, including a role in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in 2013, along with guest appearances in series such as “Unforgotten,” “Forever,” and “Blue Bloods.”
McLaughlin’s early Broadway success as Young Simba showcased his musical theater talents while simultaneously building his television resume.
His stage experience expanded to include the Off-Broadway production “Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek” and the Kurt Weill opera “Lost in the Stars” with Washington National Opera.
The actor’s career trajectory changed considerably in 2016 when he was cast as Lucas Sinclair in Netflix’s supernatural drama “Stranger Things,” a role that brought him international recognition and established his position among Hollywood’s rising talents. As part of the core group of friends central to the series’ plot, McLaughlin’s performance contributed to the show’s critical and commercial success, earning the cast a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2017. His experience performing in front of live audiences during his theater years proved invaluable when transitioning to the pressures of television production. McLaughlin’s compensation for the series has grown substantially, from his initial $20,000 per episode in Season 1 to $7,000,000 for the upcoming Season 5.
Beyond “Stranger Things,” McLaughlin has diversified his portfolio through various film and television projects, including his portrayal of Ricky Bell in BET’s mini-series “The New Edition Story” in 2017 and his lead role in the drama film “Concrete Cowboy” in 2020. He also appeared in Steven Soderbergh‘s “High Flying Bird” in 2019 and provided voice acting for multiple television projects, while taking on the role of Jay-Jay in NBC’s “Shades of Blue.”
McLaughlin’s extensive training in ballet, tap, and jazz dance styles, combined with his singing abilities and stage experience, has established him as a multifaceted performer capable of working across genres from drama to musical entertainment.
His commitment to humanitarian efforts, community involvement, and maintaining positive public engagement through social media platforms reflects his dedication to using his platform responsibly while continuing to develop his craft.