Brecken Merrill is a 17-year-old American actor best known as Tate Dutton in Yellowstone — and in 2026, he reprises that role as a series regular in the CBS spinoff Marshals, starring alongside Luke Grimes.
As of May 2026, Merrill has appeared in three major productions: Yellowstone (2018–2024), This Is Us (2022), and the theatrical thriller Lifeline (February 2025). He is one of the youngest actors to carry a recurring role across two seasons of a major Paramount franchise, now transitioning into a CBS network drama at just 17.
Quick Facts (2026)
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Brecken Merrill |
| Date of Birth | June 20, 2008 |
| Age (2026) | 17 years old |
| Birthplace | Newport Beach, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | ~5 ft 2 in (157 cm) — estimated, growing |
| Weight | ~50 kg (110 lbs) — estimated |
| Hair | Brown |
| Eyes | Hazel/Brown |
| Father | Jesse Merrill (CEO) |
| Mother | Kristy Phillips |
| Siblings | Karis and Seren (sisters) |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Net Worth | ~$200,000–$300,000 (estimated, 2026) |
| @breckenmerrill (~50K+ followers) | |
| Known For | Tate Dutton, Yellowstone; Tate, Marshals (2026) |
Who Is Brecken Merrill?
Brecken Merrill was born on June 20, 2008, in the United States and showed an early interest in acting. He grew up in Newport Beach, California, in a supportive family environment. His father, Jesse Merrill, is a CEO, and his mother is Kristy Phillips.
Merrill started his career at age 8. He landed his breakthrough role in Yellowstone in 2018, playing Tate Dutton — the only grandson of patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner). Working with veteran actors like Kevin Costner significantly influenced his acting development.
He is the middle child between two sisters, Karis and Seren. His social media accounts were initially managed by his mother, which reflects the careful, family-supervised approach to his career.
Brecken Merrill's Age and Height in 2026
A lot of outdated articles still list his height as 4 feet 8 inches. That was true when he was 13.
- Current age: 17 (turns 18 on June 20, 2026)
- Height in 2026: Estimated at approximately 5 ft 2 in (157 cm), based on on-screen appearances in Marshals promotional material — he has visibly grown since 2022 set photos
- Build: Slim, athletic frame consistent with his boxing hobby
This growth matters for fans tracking his appearance in Marshals, where Tate Dutton is now depicted as a teenager navigating life after his mother Monica's apparent death.
Brecken Merrill's Career Timeline
2018 — Yellowstone Debut
Brecken Merrill began his acting career in 2018 when he appeared in Yellowstone alongside Kevin Costner, Josh Holloway, and Neal McDonough. He played Tate Dutton from Season 1 through the series finale. The character was central to some of the show's most emotionally intense storylines, including a kidnapping arc in Season 2.
2022 — This Is Us
He was cast as a young Nick Jr. in This Is Us (2022) for two episodes. This showed his range — moving from a gritty Western to a critically acclaimed family drama in the same year.
2025 — Lifeline (Theatrical Film)
Dark Sky Films released the live-action thriller Lifeline on February 21, 2025, directed by Feras Alfuqaha. Merrill starred alongside Josh Stewart and August Maturo in the film, which follows a suicide hotline operator who receives a call from someone claiming to be him. This was his first theatrical film role.
2026 — Marshals (CBS Spinoff)
This is the biggest update of 2026. Marshals premiered on CBS on March 1, 2026. The series serves as both a spinoff and sequel to Yellowstone and stars Luke Grimes, with Brecken Merrill, Mo Brings Plenty, and Gil Birmingham reprising their roles as series regulars.
The show follows former U.S. Navy SEAL Kayce Dutton as he joins a specialized group of U.S. Marshals tasked with protecting Montana, grieving the death of his wife Monica and adjusting to raising his son Tate alone.
In March 2026, the series was renewed for a second season. That means Merrill's role as Tate is set to continue — a significant career milestone for a 17-year-old actor.
Brecken Merrill's Family: Parents and Siblings
Family plays a defining role in Merrill's public story. His mother is Kristy Phillips and his father is Jesse Merrill. He has two sisters named Karis and Seren.
- His father, Jesse Merrill, is a CEO. The family appears to be financially stable and career-forward, which aligns with Brecken's early entry into professional acting.
- His mother Kristy managed his social media accounts in his early teens, reflecting a protective, hands-on approach to his entertainment career.
- He is the middle child, sandwiched between sisters Karis and Seren — a dynamic he has referenced in Instagram posts.
For more on young celebrities navigating fame with family support, see this related read on Henry Samuel: Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Family.
Brecken Merrill's Net Worth in 2026
Brecken Merrill's net worth is estimated at around $200,000, accumulated through his successful career as a child actor. That figure is from earlier estimates. Given his expanded role in Marshals as a network series regular on CBS in 2026, the real number is likely higher now.
Here is a breakdown of his estimated income sources:
| Source | Estimated Contribution |
| Yellowstone (Seasons 1–5, 2018–2024) | Primary earnings base |
| This Is Us (2 episodes, 2022) | Guest rate, smaller contribution |
| Lifeline (2025 film) | Film appearance fee |
| Marshals (CBS, 2026–ongoing) | Series regular salary — ongoing |
| Brand/Instagram | Minor, family-managed |
Bottom line: A conservative 2026 estimate places Merrill's net worth between $200,000 and $350,000, with growth likely given his CBS series regular status.
Does Brecken Merrill Have a Girlfriend?
Brecken Merrill is single. At 17, this is entirely age-appropriate, and there is no credible public record of any relationship.
His personal life remains largely private. His social media accounts were managed by his mother, and he tends to post about travel, film sets, and family — not romantic life. Fans who search "Brecken Merrill girlfriend" are, understandably, curious about a young star they have watched grow up on screen.
He is not publicly linked to anyone as of May 2026.
Personal Interests and Personality
What makes Merrill stand out beyond his roles?
- He is a huge Seattle Seahawks fan.
- Apart from acting, he is also interested in boxing.
- He is an avid pet lover who posts about animals on Instagram.
- He fractured his left wrist in an accident and shared the incident on Instagram with a candid caption.
- His Gemini star sign (June 20) aligns with the intellectually curious, multi-talented archetype — fitting for a young actor who has diversified from drama to thriller films.
These details paint a picture of a grounded teenager who treats acting as a craft, not just a job.
Brecken Merrill on Instagram and Social Media
- Instagram handle: @breckenmerrill
- He has over 50,000 followers on Instagram.
- Content includes on-set photos, family moments, and travel posts.
- He is not active on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube.
- His account shifted toward personal management as he moved into his mid-teens.
For comparison, other young actors who gained fame through family dramas and built strong social followings include Grant Goodeve, who stayed in the public eye for decades after his breakout role.
Brecken Merrill in Marshals (2026):
The cast of Marshals (formerly Y: Marshals) includes returning Yellowstone stars Brecken Merrill and Gil Birmingham, along with new additions Arielle Kebbel, Ash Santos, Logan Marshall-Green, and Tatanka Means, with Taylor Sheridan connected to the series as an executive producer.
Key story context for Tate in Marshals:
- Monica Dutton (Kelsey Asbille) is absent from the show — her fate remains a plot point
- Kayce is depicted as grieving the death of his wife and adjusting to raising Tate alone.
- Tate is now a teenager, which dramatically expands the dramatic range Merrill can bring to the role
- The series was renewed for a second season in March 2026.
This is the most significant career development in Merrill's story to date — moving from child supporting role to teen series regular on a major network.
FAQ:
Q: How old is Brecken Merrill in 2026?
A: Brecken Merrill is 17 years old in 2026. He was born on June 20, 2008, in Newport Beach, California. He will turn 18 on June 20, 2026. This makes him one of the youngest series regulars currently active on a U.S. network drama.
Q: What show is Brecken Merrill in right now?
A: Brecken Merrill is currently starring in Marshals on CBS, which premiered on March 1, 2026. He reprises his Yellowstone role as Tate Dutton. The show was renewed for a second season in March 2026. He plays Tate as a teenager being raised by his father Kayce after his mother's apparent death.
Q: What is Brecken Merrill's height?
A: Brecken Merrill's height is estimated at approximately 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) as of 2026. Earlier reports listed 4 ft 8 in, but that was measured when he was 13 years old. He is still growing and his exact current height has not been officially confirmed. On-screen appearances in Marshals suggest noticeable growth since 2022.
Q: Does Brecken Merrill have a girlfriend?
A: Brecken Merrill does not have a publicly known girlfriend as of 2026. He is 17 years old and his personal life is kept private. His social media does not reference any romantic relationship. No credible media outlet has reported a confirmed relationship.
Q: What is Brecken Merrill's net worth?
A: Brecken Merrill's net worth is estimated between $200,000 and $350,000 in 2026. This comes primarily from his long-running role in Yellowstone and his new series regular position in Marshals on CBS. He also appeared in the 2025 film Lifeline. These figures are estimates, as no official financial disclosure exists.
Q: Who are Brecken Merrill's parents?
A: His father is Jesse Merrill, a CEO, and his mother is Kristy Phillips. The family is based in Newport Beach, California. His mother managed his social media in his early career. He has two sisters named Karis and Seren.
Q: What movie did Brecken Merrill appear in?
A: Brecken Merrill appeared in the theatrical thriller Lifeline, released on February 21, 2025. The film was directed by Feras Alfuqaha and distributed by Dark Sky Films. It starred Josh Stewart and August Maturo alongside Merrill. This was his first major film role outside of television.
Q: Is Brecken Merrill in the Yellowstone spinoff?
A: Yes. Brecken Merrill is a series regular in Marshals, the CBS spinoff to Yellowstone that premiered on March 1, 2026. He reprises his role as Tate Dutton, son of Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes). The show was renewed for Season 2 in March 2026. It is part of the wider Taylor Sheridan–created Yellowstone franchise.
Want more celebrity bios like this one? Read about Jessi Combs: Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth & Legacy or explore the Romain Dauriac bio for more Hollywood-adjacent profiles.
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References
Last updated: May 2026
