Who is Glen Powell?
Glen Powell is an American actor born on October 21, 1988, who has become one of Hollywood's most sought-after leading men. Known for his charismatic performances in blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick and romantic comedies like Anyone But You, Powell has proven he's more than just a handsome face. His journey from small roles to box office stardom shows genuine talent and determination.
Early Life
Glen Thomas Powell Jr. was raised in Austin, Texas, with two sisters. His father, Glen Powell Sr., worked as an executive coach, while his mother, Cyndy, was a homemaker. At age five, he went to see Jurassic Park with his father in 1993, which sparked his interest in movies. He started making his own science fiction films at home with a video camera and friends.
Powell was part of the Broadway Texas Players from 1999-2003 and attended Austin Musical Theatre. He graduated from Westwood High School in 2007, where he played football and lacrosse. Powell attended the University of Texas at Austin for one year, studying Radio-Television-Film, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time. As of November 2025, he's taking classes over Zoom to complete his degree.
Career Beginnings
Powell's acting career began with a role in Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over in 2003. For several years, he took small roles in films like Fast Food Nation (2006) and The Wendell Baker Story (2005). In 2007, he appeared in The Great Debaters alongside Denzel Washington. Washington gave him encouragement to pursue acting, which motivated Powell to move to Los Angeles in 2008.
Throughout the early 2010s, Powell continued building his resume with minor roles. He appeared in The Dark Knight Rises in 2012 as an unnamed Gotham Stock Exchange trader. These small parts helped him learn the craft, even if they didn't pay much.
Breakthrough Roles
Powell's breakthrough came with his role as Chad Radwell in the Fox comedy-horror series Scream Queens from 2015-2016. This marked the first time audiences really took notice of his talent and screen presence.
In 2016, three important films helped establish Powell as a serious actor. He starred in Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some!!, played astronaut John Glenn in Hidden Figures, and appeared in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Hidden Figures earned critical acclaim and multiple Oscar nominations, introducing Powell to a wider audience.
Rise to Stardom
Everything changed in 2022 with Top Gun: Maverick. Powell played Lieutenant Jake "Hangman" Seresin, the cocky but skilled pilot. The film grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide, making Powell a household name.
However, the journey wasn't easy. Powell nearly went broke waiting for Top Gun: Maverick to premiere after pandemic delays, with his accountant warning he couldn't sustain much longer.
After Top Gun's success, Powell negotiated better deals. He earned $5 million for Anyone But You, the romantic comedy opposite Sydney Sweeney. Released in December 2023, the film grossed $220 million worldwide, proving Powell could carry a romantic comedy on his own.
Recent Projects
In 2023, Powell co-wrote and produced the dark comedy Hit Man with director Richard Linklater. His performance earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. The film showed his versatility and creative ambitions beyond acting.
In 2024, he starred in Twisters, which earned more than $370 million in the US alone. Powell played Tyler Owens, a YouTube storm chaser, cementing his status as a bankable action star.
He's set to star in The Running Man remake and has several other high-profile projects lined up, including a firefighter film for Amazon MGM Studios.
Net Worth
Glen Powell has a net worth of $16 million as of 2025. This represents significant growth from his early career struggles. He earned just $35,000 for his role in Hidden Figures, showing how far he's come.
Powell's earnings have increased dramatically with his recent success. His philosophy on Hollywood success is practical. He told The New York Times that lasting success means asking yourself who the audience is and whether you're giving people a reason to buy tickets.
Relationship History
Powell has had several public relationships. In 2017, he dated actress Nina Dobrev from The Vampire Diaries. Their relationship lasted until November 2017, when busy schedules pulled them apart.
Powell started dating model Gigi Paris in January 2020. They appeared together at red carpet events and seemed happy for three years. They broke up in April 2023 amid rumors about Powell's chemistry with Sydney Sweeney during the Anyone But You filming.
In June 2025, Paris spoke openly about the breakup on the Too Much podcast. She explained that the relationship declined six months before they officially parted ways. She felt the situation was handled poorly and chose to walk away.
Powell addressed the situation later, explaining that he and Sweeney were aware of the rumors and leaned into them for marketing purposes. He admitted the timing was difficult because he was going through a real breakup during the promotional tour.
Personal Life
Powell is a licensed pilot. Tom Cruise paid for him to attend flight school after working on Top Gun: Maverick.
In 2024, Powell relocated from Los Angeles back to Austin, Texas. He bought a house just 30 minutes from his parents' home. He told People in May 2024 that he earned the ability to go back to his family.
His parents, Glen Powell Sr. and Cyndy, have remained actively involved in his life. They have made cameos in several of his films, including appearances as a beachgoing couple in Devotion and airline passengers in Anyone But You.
Conclusion
Glen Powell's journey from small roles to Hollywood leading man shows what persistence and talent can achieve. From nearly going broke waiting for his big break to commanding $5 million per film, Powell has earned his success through hard work and smart career choices.
With upcoming projects and growing star power, Powell's career continues to climb. He's proven he can handle action, comedy, romance, and drama with equal skill. At 36 years old, his best work may still be ahead of him.