{{Short description|American actor (born 1993)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Brandon Flynn | image = BrandonFlynnBinge.png | caption = Flynn in 2018 | birth_name = Brandon Paul Flynn | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|11}} | birth_place = Miami, Florida, U.S. | education = Rutgers University, New Brunswick (BFA) | occupation = Actor | years_active = 2016–present | spouse = {{marriage|Jordan Tannahill|2024}} | partner = | known_for = }} '''Brandon Paul Flynn''' (born October 11, 1993)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Orenstein |first1=Hannah |title=12 Things You Didn't Know About "13 Reasons Why" Actor Brandon Flynn |url=https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a46490/things-you-didnt-know-about-13-reasons-why-actor/ |access-date=November 24, 2019 |work=Seventeen |date=April 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201115162219/https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a46490/things-you-didnt-know-about-13-reasons-why-actor/ |url-status=live}}</ref> is an American actor known for his role as Justin Foley in the Netflix teen drama series ''13 Reasons Why'' (2017–2020). His work in film and television includes the series ''Manhunt'' (2024), ''Ratched'' (2020),<ref name="Seventeen">{{cite web |last1=Orenstein |first1=Hannah |title=12 Things You Didn't Know About "13 Reasons Why" Actor Brandon Flynn |url=http://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a46490/things-you-didnt-know-about-13-reasons-why-actor/ |website=Seventeen.com |access-date=April 20, 2017 |date=April 17, 2017 |quote=He went to high school at New World School of the Arts. |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420143519/http://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a46490/things-you-didnt-know-about-13-reasons-why-actor/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''True Detective'' (2019), and the films ''The Parenting'' (2025) and ''Hellraiser'' (2022).
== Early life and education == Flynn was born and raised in Miami, Florida,<ref name="newjersey">{{cite web |title=Rutgers Theater Company presents What's It Gonna Be? Ensemble Creation 1.0 |date=March 21, 2013 |url=https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/getarticle.php?ID=2453 |publisher=newjerseystage.com |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116224154/https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/getarticle.php?ID=2453 |url-status=live}}</ref> where he attended high school at New World School of the Arts.<ref name="Seventeen" /> He graduated from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, and studied at the Globe Theatre's Shakespeare Conservatory in London.<ref>[https://artsnewsnow.com/arts_news/kowalski-a-new-play-by-gregg-ostrin-and-directed-by-colin-hanlon/ "Kowalski - A New Play by Gregg Ostrin and Directed by Colin Hanlon"]. ''Arts News Now'', January 17, 2025.</ref> Flynn's first role was at the age of ten, playing Mr. Smee in a musical version of ''Peter Pan''.<ref name="PopSugar">{{cite news |last1=Keaney |first1=Quinn |title=We'll Bet You Can't Guess ''13 Reasons Why'' Star Brandon Flynn's Secret Talent |url=https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/Who-Brandon-Flynn-43417945 |newspaper=Popsugar Celebrity |access-date=April 20, 2017 |date=April 19, 2017 |archive-date=January 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131022451/https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/Who-Brandon-Flynn-43417945 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Career == === Film and television === In 2016, Flynn was cast as Mike the Intern in ''BrainDead''. In 2018, Flynn was cast in the third season of ''True Detective'' as Ryan Peters in a recurring capacity.<ref name="deadline1">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/true-detective-brandon-flynn-michael-graziadei-recur-season-3-hbo-anthology-series-1202297694/ |title=''True Detective'': Brandon Flynn & Michael Graziadei Set To Recur In Season 3 Of HBO Anthology Series |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 2018 |access-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608110802/https://deadline.com/2018/02/true-detective-brandon-flynn-michael-graziadei-recur-season-3-hbo-anthology-series-1202297694/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
From 2017 to 2020, Flynn portrayed Justin Foley in the Netflix series ''13 Reasons Why''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brandon Flynn on Hollywood Double Standards and Never Actually Coming Out |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/brandon-flynn-coming-out-lgbtq-hollywood-double-standards-1203246892/ |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=June 28, 2019 |website=Variety |access-date=July 28, 2019 |archive-date=July 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730065426/https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/brandon-flynn-coming-out-lgbtq-hollywood-double-standards-1203246892/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Foley, one of the lead characters through all four seasons, is a troubled yet ultimately redemptive character who starts as a popular high school jock with a traumatic home life and spirals into homelessness, addiction, and sex work.<ref>[https://ew.com/tv/13-reasons-why-brandon-flynn-justin-death/ "13 Reasons Why's Brandon Flynn on Justin's tragic ending: 'I'll never ever ever forget Justin Foley'"]. ''Entertainment Weekly'', June 16, 2020.</ref>
In 2020, Flynn made his feature film acting debut in the dark indie comedy ''Looks That Kill'', starring as a high school student whose physical appearance causes the death of anyone who looks at him.<ref name="N'Duka">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/brandon-flynn-julia-goldani-telles-ki-hong-lee-looks-that-kill-america-high-1202351710/ |title=Brandon Flynn, Julia Goldani Telles & Ki Hong Lee To Topline Dark Comedy ''Looks That Kill'' For American High |last=N'Duka |first=Amanda |date=March 22, 2018 |website=Deadline |access-date=December 10, 2019 |archive-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211224216/https://deadline.com/2018/03/brandon-flynn-julia-goldani-telles-ki-hong-lee-looks-that-kill-america-high-1202351710/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year, he had a recurring role as Henry Osgood in the 2020 television series ''Ratched'', a quadruple amputee and sadist who lives locked in his home with his mother, Lenore Osgood.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sorren |first=Martha |date=September 18, 2020 |title=''13 Reasons Why'' Fans Will Absolutely Hate Brandon Flynn's ''Ratched'' Character |url=https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/brandon-flynns-ratched-character-henry-osgood-the-worst |access-date=July 1, 2021 |website=Bustle |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182147/https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/brandon-flynns-ratched-character-henry-osgood-the-worst |url-status=live}}</ref> He has starred in a number of other television series and films, including ''Manhunt'' (2024), a historical drama about the hunt for Abraham Lincoln's assassin John Wilkes Booth, and the horror-comedy ''The Parenting'' (2025).
=== Theater === Flynn's New York theater debut was in the role of Luke in the off-Broadway production of John Kander and Greg Pierce's musical ''Kid Victory'' at the Vineyard Theatre, in 2017.<ref>[http://www.vineyardtheatre.org/kid-victory ''Kid Victory''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812102944/http://www.vineyardtheatre.org/kid-victory/ |date=August 12, 2017 }} at Vineyard Theatre</ref> In 2025, he returned to the stage to play a young Marlon Brando in the off-Broadway premiere of Gregg Ostrin's play Kowalski at the Duke on 42nd Street.<ref>[https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/reviews/kowalski-off-broadway-review "'Kowalski' review — when Marlon Brando met Tennessee Williams"]. ''New York Theater Guide'', January 27, 2025.</ref> In 2025, he also originated the role of Dylan in the world premiere of Jeremy O. Harris's play ''Spirit of the People'' at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2025/legit/news/amber-heard-brandon-flynn-jeremy-o-harris-play-spirit-of-the-people-1236438101 |title=Amber Heard, Brandon Flynn join Jeremy O. Harris play ''Spirit of the People'' |work=Variety |date=June 23, 2025 |access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref> In 2026, Flynn starred as Jonah in Matthew Libby's off-Broadway play ''Data'' at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://playbill.com/production/data-off-broadway-lucille-lortel-theatre-2026 |title=Data|work=Playbill|access-date=May 4, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/new-play-data-off-broadway-to-star-karan-brar-brandon-flynn-sophia-lillis-justin-h-min |title=New play ‘Data’ off Broadway to star Karan Brar, Brandon Flynn, Sophia Lillis, Justin H. Min|work=New York Theatre Gude|date=November 18, 2025|first=Gillian|last=Russo|access-date=May 4, 2026}}</ref>
=== Other === Flynn has starred in multiple Calvin Klein campaigns, including the brand's 2023 Pride campaign, the 2023 holiday campaign, and the Spring 2024 menswear campaign.<ref>[https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/hailey-bieber-brandon-flynn-calvin-klein-holiday-1235910142/ "Hailey Bieber and Brandon Flynn Star in Calvin Klein's Holiday Campaign"]. ''Women's Wear Daily'', November 1, 2023.</ref>
== Personal life == With ''13 Reasons Why'', Flynn was among the first openly gay actors to play a significant role in a major Netflix original series, and in 2018 received the Queerty Award in the "Closet Door Bustdown" category, which honors individuals who have made significant strides in LGBTQ+ visibility and representation.<ref name="Wagmeister 2019">{{cite web |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |title=Brandon Flynn on Hollywood Double Standards and Never Actually Coming Out |website=Variety |date=June 20, 2019 |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/brandon-flynn-coming-out-lgbtq-hollywood-double-standards-1203246892/ | access-date=February 26, 2023 | archive-date=November 12, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112023538/https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/brandon-flynn-coming-out-lgbtq-hollywood-double-standards-1203246892/ | url-status=live}}</ref> Flynn married his husband, Jordan Tannahill, in October 2024.<ref name="Taylor 2024">{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Elise |title=Brandon Flynn and Jordan Tannahill Wore Ludovic de Saint Sernin for Their Avant-Garde East Village Wedding |website=Vogue |date=November 4, 2024 |url= https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/brandon-flynn-and-jordan-tannahill-wedding | access-date=November 4, 2024 }}</ref> Flynn is Jewish.<ref>{{cite instagram |postid=https://www.instagram.com/p/CIoqRoflPOX/c/17942076178412737/r/17922183541487090/ |first=Brandon |last=Flynn |user=brandonflynn |title=My family is Jewish and therefore I am Jewish. How I practice is how I practice... I hope you have a beautiful Hanukkah, from my Jewish family to yours. |date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=October 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite instagram |postid=BOaq9iTBehA |title=🕎 |first=Brandon |last=Flynn |date=December 24, 2016 |user=brandonflynn |access-date=April 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/brandonflynn/1412630379801995328 |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite instagram |postid=CIoqRoflPOX |first=Brandon |last=Flynn |user=brandonflynn |title=Holidays Happy first night of Hanukkah, happy holidays. For each night of Hanukkah I will share a charity as well. It's not meant to flood you with anxieties about feeling as if you have to give to every single one, or make you feel like you have to give at all... but to bring awareness and perspective to the holidays, they are not always a simple time or an abundant time for all. Especially this year, with businesses and families and health being impacted by a pandemic, there is a lot of hopelessness and fear surrounding this time, as we inch towards a new year, some of us very far from our families and loved ones, so, I will be sharing, to perchance inspire; giving back, being of service, and finding ways to make this holiday season special. |date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/brandonflynn/2461403126022075287 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Filmography== {{pending films key}}
=== Films === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Brandon Flynn film performances !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes !scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | 2020 ! scope="row" | ''Looks That Kill'' | Max Richards | |<ref name="N'Duka" /> |- | 2022 ! scope="row"| ''Hellraiser'' | Matt McKendry | |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/hellraiser-reboot-clive-barker-female-pinhead-1235083239/ |title='Hellraiser' Reboot Unveils Full Cast, Including Jamie Clayton as Pinhead |website=Variety |first=Brent |last=Lang |date=October 7, 2021 |access-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007171028/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/hellraiser-reboot-clive-barker-female-pinhead-1235083239/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2023 ! scope="row" data-sort-value="Senior, The" | ''The Senior'' | Micah | |<ref>{{cite web |last=Boyum |first=Jamey |title=Longview trainer teaches actor to safely play football for upcoming film |date=November 8, 2021 |publisher=KLTV |url=https://www.kltv.com/2021/11/08/longview-trainer-discusses-guiding-actor-safely-play-football-upcoming-film/?outputType=amp |accessdate=November 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dicker |first=Ron |title=Michael Chiklis Disses F-Word Advice That Tom Brady Gave Him For Football Movie |date=March 24, 2022 |website=HuffPost |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michael-chiklis-tom-brady-advice_n_623c3e2ae4b046c938e5bc2d/amp |accessdate=June 6, 2022}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 2025 ! scope="row" data-sort-value="Fucktoys" | ''Fucktoys'' | James Francone | |<ref>{{cite web |last=Leonard |first=Megan |title=Fucktoys |website=SIFF |url=https://www.siff.net/festival/fucktoys |access-date=2025-04-28}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" data-sort-value="Parenting, The" | ''The Parenting'' | Josh | | |- | 2026 | data-sort-value="Last Temptation of Becky, The" scope="row" {{pending film|The Last Temptation of Becky}} | {{TableTBA}} | Post-production |}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Brandon Flynn television performances !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes !scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | 2016 ! scope="row" | ''BrainDead'' | Mike the Intern | Guest role | |- | 2019 ! scope="row" | ''True Detective'' | Ryan Peters | Recurring role |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="deadline1" /> |- | 2017–2020 ! scope="row" data-sort-value="Thirteen Reasons Why" | ''13 Reasons Why'' | Justin Foley | Main role | |- | 2020 ! scope="row" | ''Ratched'' | Henry Osgood | Recurring role | |- | 2024 ! scope="row" | ''Manhunt'' | Edwin Stanton Jr. | Main role | |- | 2026 ! scope="row" | ''Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed'' | Trevor | Recurring role |}
=== Theater === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Brandon Flynn stage performances !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2017 ! scope="row" | ''Kid Victory'' | Luke | Vineyard Theatre |- | rowspan=2|2025 ! scope="row" | ''Kowalski'' | Marlon Brando | The Duke on 42nd Street |- ! scope="row" | ''Spirt of the People'' | Dylan | Williamstown Theatre Festival |- | 2026 ! scope="row" | ''Data'' | Jonah | Lucille Lortel Theatre |}
=== Voice work === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Brandon Flynn voice work performances ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | 2023 | ''Girls Like Girls'' | Trenton | |<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/hayley-kiyoko-queer-cast-girls-like-girls-audiobook-1235297798/ |title=Hayley Kiyoko Enlists an All-Queer Cast for Her 'Girls Like Girls' Audiobook |magazine=Billboard |last=Daw |first=Stephen |date=April 4, 2023}}</ref> |- |}
=== Music videos === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Brandon Flynn music video performances !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Title !scope="col" "unsortable" | Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Performer(s) !scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | 2018 ! scope="row" data-sort-value="Lockjaw" | "Lockjaw" |style="text-align:center;"| — | Cook Thugless (feat. Shyrley) | |}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Flynn, Brandon}} Category:1993 births Category:21st-century American Jews Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:21st-century American male actors Category:American gay actors Category:American male film actors Category:American male television actors Category:Gay Jews Category:Jewish American male actors Category:LGBTQ people from Florida Category:Living people Category:Male actors from Miami Category:Mason Gross School of the Arts alumni Category:Rutgers University alumni