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Jaeden Martell, the birthday boy who turns 22 today is literal proof that Hollywood loves a multi-talented underdog. Born in Philadelphia and first stealing the spotlight in a Hot Wheels commercial, he swapped his last name Lieberher for Martell, his mom’s maiden name, a slick rebranding move that screams leading man.
And you probably remember him as Bill Denbrough rallying the Losers’ Club inITor the keyboard-tapping, chaos-causing Jacob Thrombey inKnives Out.But trust us, there’s more to Martell than iconic horror flicks and quirky mystery roles.
Did you know he kicked off his acting journey alongside Bill Murray inSt. Vincent?Talk about starting strong. Also, his Korean heritage comes from his grandma, making him one of Hollywood’s rising stars with global roots. Honestly, Martell’s knack for jumping from horror to comedy and even darker TV drama shows he’s got range to burn.
So, what’s next for this A24 darling, who’s already got a cult following? Today, we’re diving deep into five lesser-known facts about the guy who’s been charming us since his Hot Wheels days. Stick around, you might just see Jaeden Martell in a whole new light.
6Jaeden Lieberher to Jaeden Martell
BeforeJaeden Martellbecame the name you see on blockbuster credits, he went by Jaeden Lieberher, his father’s last name. But in 2019, he made a heartfelt switch, adopting his mom’s maiden name, Martell. Why the change?
A post shared by Jaeden Martell (@jaedenwesley)
In a candid 2020 interview withGoldDerby, he shared,
That is my mom’s last name, and I wanted to honor her because she is here with me every day that she’s on set with me, and she makes me the person I am. I owe everything to her, and she has raised me the last 17 years.
Undoubtedly, Martell’s bond with his mom is rock-solid, and he’s not shy about showing it. On Mother’s Day in 2019, he posted a heartfelt tribute, calling her the “most beautiful, caring, strong person” and thanking her for her sacrifices.
5Jaeden Martell’s commercial breakthrough
Before Jaeden Martell was battling Pennywise or cracking mysteries inKnives Out, he was an 8-year-old kid hustling in commercials. Yep, his acting journey started with gigs for Hot Wheels, Google, and even a Hyundai Super Bowl ad. But for little Martell, it wasn’t all that deep back then, he was just a kid having fun in front of the camera.
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Then along cameSt. Vincent, his first feature film at age 10, and BAM! The acting bug bit hard. He confessed in an interview withCollider,
Even when I just started acting and was doing commercials for awhile, I didn’t know what it meant to be an actor. But then, when I did my first movie, ‘St. Vincent,’ I was 10 years and I discovered, ‘Oh, this is what acting is, and I love it. I don’t think I wanna do anything else for the rest of my life.’ That’s a crazy thing to discover when you’re that age. It’s hard enough to be able to do what you love, but to know what you love is also extremely hard to come by, so I just feel lucky.
While most of us were still figuring out how to tie our shoelaces, Martell was locking in his dream career. He’s since swapped toy cars for major Hollywood roles, proving that sometimes, a humble commercial gig is just the launchpad you need to discover your life’s passion. Lucky? Definitely. Talented? Absolutely. Ready for world domination? Clearly.
4Jaeden Martell and hisITBFFs
Who says Hollywood friendships don’t last? Jaeden Martell is living proof that battling a killer clown together bonds you for life. HisItcostars aren’t just castmates, they’re his ride-or-die crew.
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In an interview withReel Talker, he reminisced about the time they spent on set adding,
On ‘It,’ that was one of the first projects I did with kids my age, and it was like summer camp. It was the most amazing, unforgettable experience, and we’re all best friends, and we are constantly talking. I’m very lucky for that experience.
From hilarious Instagram hangouts to real-life support, Martell and hisItsquad have kept their friendship alive.
Despite the entertainment world’s cutthroat reputation, these pals manage to keep it drama-free. Martell shared inRain magazine,
We’re all happy for each other. There are roles for everyone, and when it happens, you realize it’s all meant to be.
Whether they’re celebrating wins or just chilling like old times, this Losers’ Club is anything but losers. They’ve got each other’s backs, and honestly, isn’t that the real victory?
3Jaeden Martell’s dream of directing
Jaeden Martell isn’t content with just being in front of the camera, he’s got his sights set on calling the shots behind it too. In a 2020 chat withCollider, he revealed his aspiration to step into the director’s chair one day.
I’d like to be a director at some point and write and stuff like that. It’s so difficult, but I’ve definitely been inspired by the people I’ve worked with to do that.
From sharing scenes with legends like Bill Murray to starring in critically acclaimed ensembles likeKnives Out, he’s already learned from some of the best in the business.
2Jaeden Martell’s creative freedom inDefending Jacob
Playing Jacob in Apple TV+’sDefending Jacobcame with a rare perk for Jaeden Martell, total creative freedom. Unlike many roles where every detail is pre-planned, he got to decide whether his character was guilty of murder or not. He shared with GoldDerby,
After reading the scripts it was still unclear, so the first time I met Mark [Bomback] and Morten [Tyldum], the writer and the director, I asked them whether or not he did it. Basically, Morten said that I can choose whether or not he did it, and they didn’t wanna know, they didn’t want me to tell anybody. It took me a while to decide through pre-production whether he did it or not, so I guess I’m the only person who knows for a fact if he killed Ben.
With the show’s ambiguous ending leaving viewers guessing, Martell quietly made his own decision during pre-production and kept it locked up tighter than a murder mystery.
1Jaeden Martell was an ambassador for the 2022 Special Olympics
In 2022, Jaeden Martell swapped the film set for the sports field, stepping up as an official ambassador for the Special Olympics USA Games. Joining a star-studded lineup that included Ellen DeGeneres, Tiffany Haddish, and Brie Larson, Martell took on the role with pride and enthusiasm.
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He first shared the news back in October 2020 via Instagram. The event, held in Orlando, Florida, showcased incredible athleticism and spirit, and his involvement highlighted his commitment to uplifting others.
Samridhi Goel
Content Writer
Articles Published :375
Samridhi breathes HOLLYWOOD. A seasoned professional content writer boasting three years of experience. Her expertise shines in the realm of entertainment, where she skillfully craft narratives that breathe life into movies, music, and pop culture. She has completed her Masters in Commerce but her obsession with Hollywood lead her to curate content for the same.
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