Nick Robinson

Biography

Nicholas John Robinson (born March 22, 1995, in Seattle, Washington) is an American actor who became known first on television and then in youth dramas and adventure films of the 2010s. His career spans family sitcoms, teen drama and big studio productions, and his name is closely tied to one of the most discussed mainstream films about teenage life and sexuality.

The oldest of a large family, with four younger siblings and two older half-siblings, he made his professional debut at eleven in a stage adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. A talent scout recommended him to several agencies, and he eventually signed with Savage Agency in Los Angeles. The 2007–2008 Writers Guild strike sent his family back to Washington, where he kept performing on stages around Seattle. In 2010 he joined the cast of Melissa & Joey, the ABC Family sitcom, playing Ryder Scanlon until the show ended in 2015.

His first film work came with the Disney Channel original movie Frenemies (2012). That same year he was cast in the lead role of Joe Toy in The Kings of Summer, directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, and he guest-starred in an episode of HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Late in 2013 he joined Jurassic World, playing one of two brothers visiting their aunt, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, alongside Ty Simpkins. He then carried a run of teen dramas, including The 5th Wave (2016) as Ben Parish and Everything, Everything (2017) as Olly.

His best-known role is Simon Spier in Love, Simon (2018). The film was considered groundbreaking as the first major studio release to focus on a gay teen romance, and Robinson's performance earned strong critical praise. After reading the script he set aside his own rule against playing high schoolers again, because he saw the film's cultural significance. That year he was also named to Forbes's 30 Under 30 list in the Hollywood and entertainment category. In 2019 he co-starred in the third screen adaptation of Richard Wright's Native Son.

His more recent work has moved between television and film. In 2020 he co-starred in the FX miniseries A Teacher, and in 2021 he starred in the Netflix miniseries Maid opposite Margaret Qualley and Andie MacDowell. His legacy is that of an actor who moved from children's sitcom work to teen cinema and then to higher-profile television projects, with his Simon Spier remaining a reference point for LGBTQ teen representation in Hollywood.

Key films

• The Kings of Summer (2013): Joe Toy, the lead role that launched him into teen cinema.
• Jurassic World (2015): one of two nephews of the character played by Bryce Dallas Howard, in a major box-office hit.
• The 5th Wave (2016): Ben Parish, in the adaptation of Rick Yancey's novel.
• Everything, Everything (2017): Olly, in the film adaptation of Nicola Yoon's novel.
• Love, Simon (2018): Simon Spier, his most acclaimed role and a landmark studio film.