CALEB MCLAUGHLIN

Name, Age & Roots

Full Name: Caleb Reginald McLaughlin
Born: October 13, 2001 (age 23)
Birthplace: Carmel, New York, USA 
Raised in a suburban family, he’s the son of April and Corey McLaughlin and has two sisters, including actress Caitlyn McLaughlin .

Early Passion & Broadway Beginnings

Caleb’s artistic journey began with theater—his first role being in the opera Lost in the Stars at Cooperstown’s Glimmerglass Opera House . His talent propelled him to Broadway, where from 2012 to 2014 he portrayed Young Simba in The Lion King, gaining vital stage experience.

Transition to Screen & Breakthrough

He made early screen appearances in shows such as Law & Order: SVU, Unforgettable, Forever, and Shades of Blue . In 2016, he was cast as Lucas Sinclair in Netflix’s global hit Stranger Things—a role that earned him critical acclaim and a Screen Actors Guild award alongside his castmates .

Film Work & Voice Roles

Caleb expanded into feature films with roles in Steven Soderbergh’s High Flying Bird (2019) and Concrete Cowboy (2020), his first leading film role . He also appeared in Shooting Stars (2023) as Dru Joyce III and The Book of Clarence (2023), showcasing his versatility . Additionally, he’s lent his voice to animated series like Summer Camp Island and The Boys Presents: Diabolical .

Recognition & Awards

He earned nominations for Young Artist and BET awards, won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Youth performance, and shared a Screen Actors Guild Award with the Stranger Things ensemble . Forbes included him in its 30 Under 30 (Hollywood & Entertainment) for 2021 .

Advocacy, Demeanor & Personal Projects

Caleb is known for campaigns promoting body positivity and self-esteem (#EmbraceYourFace, #BeYourBiggestFan), as well as voter participation initiatives in 2020 . He’s openly discussed confronting racism from fans, crediting parental guidance for navigating challenging experiences — and channels his creative energy into music too, releasing singles like “Neighborhood” (2021) and “Soul Travel” (2022) .

Summary

Caleb McLaughlin is a dynamic young actor whose trajectory—from a childhood rooted in performance arts to Neptune’s skies—is both inspiring and impactful. As Young Simba, Lucas Sinclair, and a rising film and music presence, he navigates fame with grace, purpose, and a strong voice for social positivity.