Dylan O’Brien is an American actor born August 26, 1991, in New York City. He rose to fame playing Stiles Stilinski on MTV’s Teen Wolf and Thomas in the Maze Runner film trilogy. His career spans over 20 film and TV appearances, including critical acclaim for recent independent projects and upcoming releases in 2025 and 2026.
O’Brien’s path from a YouTube comedian to a lead actor in major franchises has been marked by both success and serious adversity. A severe on-set accident in 2016 temporarily paused his career, but he returned to star in a diverse slate of films ranging from action thrillers to survival horror. He has maintained a relatively private personal life, despite public curiosity about his relationships and romantic status.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Dylan O’Brien Starred In?
Dylan O’Brien’s filmography includes a defining television role in Teen Wolf and a lead part in the dystopian Maze Runner trilogy. He has since taken on roles in action, horror, comedy, and biographical dramas. His recent projects in 2025 and 2026 demonstrate continued career momentum.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dylan Rhodes O’Brien |
| Born | August 26, 1991 in New York City |
| Breakout Role | Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf (2011–2017) |
| Major Film Franchise | The Maze Runner trilogy (2014–2018) |
| Notable Accident | On-set accident during Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2016) |
| Social Media | @dylanpatrickobrien (private official); @dylanobrienis (fan-run) |
Key insights about his career include:
- He is best known for his roles as Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf and Thomas in The Maze Runner series.
- He survived a serious on-set accident in 2016 that delayed production of Maze Runner: The Death Cure.
- As of 2025, he continues to take on diverse roles in film and television, including comedic, dramatic, and horror parts.
- Despite fan interest, he has not publicly confirmed a spouse or long-term partner.
- His social media presence is largely maintained by fan accounts; his personal Instagram account is relatively private.
- He won a Best Fight award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards for his work in The Maze Runner.
Key Facts About Dylan O’Brien
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | August 26, 1991, New York City |
| Age (2026) | 34 years old |
| Parents | Lisa Rhodes (former actress, acting school operator) and Patrick B. O’Brien (camera operator) |
| Siblings | One older sister, Julia |
| Ancestry | Irish (father); Italian, English, Spanish (mother) |
| Upbringing | Springfield Township, NJ (until 12), then Hermosa Beach, CA |
| Early Career | YouTube channel (“moviekidd826”) at 14; drummer for Slow Kids at Play |
| Education Plan | Syracuse University (sports broadcasting), deferred for acting |
| First Major Role | Stiles Stilinski on Teen Wolf (2011–2017) |
| Film Debut Lead | Thomas in The Maze Runner (2014) |
| Known Accident | On-set injury during Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2016) |
| Awards | Best New Film Actor (2014); MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Fight |
Who Is Dylan O’Brien? Biography, Age, and Personal Life
Dylan O’Brien was born in New York City to parents with backgrounds in the film industry. His mother, Lisa Rhodes, ran an acting school after her own acting career, and his father, Patrick B. O’Brien, worked as a camera operator. He grew up in Springfield Township, New Jersey, until age 12, when his family relocated to Hermosa Beach, California. Learn more about his early life.
Early Life and Education
As a teenager, O’Brien developed an interest in filmmaking by posting original comedic videos on his YouTube channel, “moviekidd826.” He wrote, directed, produced, and starred in those shorts, building a significant online following. After high school, he planned to attend Syracuse University to study sports broadcasting in 2009, but he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting instead. He also played drums for the indie rock band Slow Kids at Play.
Personal Life and Relationships
O’Brien dated actress Britt Robertson from 2011 to 2018. In 2024, he was romantically linked to Rachael Lange. However, there is no public record of him being married or having a wife; he is currently unmarried. His personal Instagram account, @dylanpatrickobrien, is used infrequently, while the popular account @dylanobrienis is a fan-run page. He has a significant following on YouTube as well.
Despite widespread online curiosity, no official confirmation of a spouse or long-term marriage exists in publicly available records as of 2025. Reports about a “Dylan O’Brien wife” remain unconfirmed.
Net Worth
O’Brien’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but his extensive filmography—including lead roles in the Maze Runner trilogy, Teen Wolf, and recent critical acclaim for the independent film Twinless—suggests a net worth in the millions of dollars. He also earned producer credits on Twinless alongside director James Sweeney.
What Happened to Dylan O’Brien During the Maze Runner Accident?
In March 2016, while filming Maze Runner: The Death Cure, O’Brien suffered a severe on-set injury. According to reports, he was hit by a car during a stunt scene. The accident caused multiple fractures in his leg, facial fractures, and a concussion. He was hospitalized and required surgery. The incident forced a significant production delay on the film.
Recovery and Return to Acting
O’Brien took a break from acting to recover from his injuries. He made his return to the screen in 2017 with the action thriller American Assassin, playing counterterrorist Mitch Rapp. He later starred in the survival adventure Love and Monsters in 2020, which further demonstrated his recovery. The accident raised industry awareness about stunt safety protocols on film sets.
The injury caused extensive delays for Maze Runner: The Death Cure, which was originally scheduled for release in 2017. The studio eventually released the film in 2018 after production resumed and O’Brien was cleared to work. The accident remains one of the most serious stunt-related incidents in recent YA franchise history.
Career and Life Timeline
- 1991: Born in New York City.
- 2011: Cast as Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf.
- 2014: Stars as Thomas in The Maze Runner.
- 2015: Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials released.
- 2016: On-set accident during filming of The Death Cure.
- 2017: Returns to acting in American Assassin; Teen Wolf concludes.
- 2018: Maze Runner: The Death Cure released; voices Bumblebee in Bumblebee.
- 2020–2024: Films include Love and Monsters, The Outfit, Not Okay, and Caddo Lake.
- 2025: Stars in Twinless (critical acclaim), Anniversary, and Saturday Night (playing Dan Aykroyd).
- 2026: Send Help (with Rachel McAdams) and Being Heumann (playing Evan White) released; Marceau in pre-production.
What We Know vs. What Is Unconfirmed
Many details about O’Brien’s life and career are clearly documented, but some remain unverified or unknown.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Dylan O’Brien was born August 26, 1991. | Marital status: He has not publicly confirmed a wife or spouse. Reports vary. |
| He played Stiles in Teen Wolf and Thomas in The Maze Runner. | Net worth: Estimates range from $5–10 million but no official confirmation exists. |
| He suffered a serious accident on the set of Maze Runner: The Death Cure in 2016. | Instagram: The account @dylanobrienis is a fan page; his official account @dylanpatrickobrien is rarely used. |
| He has an IMDb page and a Wikipedia biography with cited sources. | 2025 exact projects: Some announcements are confirmed, but full project details may emerge as release dates approach. |
What Does O’Brien’s Career Path Reveal?
Dylan O’Brien’s career trajectory from teen television star to lead actor in major film franchises illustrates successful genre-hopping. He transitioned from the supernatural teen drama of Teen Wolf to the dystopian sci-fi of The Maze Runner trilogy. After his accident, he returned in diverse roles, including an action thriller (American Assassin), a voice role in a Transformers prequel (Bumblebee), a survival adventure (Love and Monsters), and the horror film Caddo Lake.
His performance in dramatic independent films, notably the critically acclaimed Twinless, shows a range beyond his early YA franchise work. He co-executive-produced Twinless with director James Sweeney, indicating a growing interest in creative control. He has maintained a relatively low personal profile compared to other actors from teen franchises, focusing on craft rather than celebrity culture. Read more about his career evolution.
Key Sources and Quotes About His Career
Biographical data for Dylan O’Brien is primarily sourced from authoritative platforms including Wikipedia, IMDb, and professional speaker directories. His filmography is tracked on Rotten Tomatoes and Letterboxd, and critic reviews document the reception of his work.
“[O’Brien] suffered a severe injury (a broken leg and other fractures) that required him to take a break from acting. The injury occurred when he was hit by a car during a stunt scene; he was hospitalized and underwent surgery.”
All American Speakers biography on Dylan O’Brien
“Dylan O’Brien received critical acclaim for his lead role in the independent film Twinless; he also co-executive-produced it with director James Sweeney.”
Screen Dollars celebrity profile
Summary of Dylan O’Brien’s Career and What’s Next
Dylan O’Brien has built a substantial career in film and television, rising from a YouTube comedian to a lead actor in major franchises like The Maze Runner and Teen Wolf. He overcame a serious on-set accident in 2016 to return to acting and continues to explore diverse roles in 2025 and 2026, including independent dramas, horror, and survival films. His upcoming projects include Send Help (with Rachel McAdams), Being Heumann, and the pre-production project Marceau. You can explore more about his career in the full Dylan O’Brien Biography & Career Overview on Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Dylan O’Brien?
He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm).
What is Dylan O’Brien’s net worth?
Estimated between $5 million and $10 million, though not publicly confirmed.
Did Dylan O’Brien leave Teen Wolf?
He remained on the show until its conclusion in 2017.
What awards has Dylan O’Brien won?
He won several Teen Choice Awards and an MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Fight for Teen Wolf and Maze Runner.
Is Dylan O’Brien related to other O’Brien actors?
No, he is not related to Aidan O’Brien or other actors with the surname O’Brien.
What was Dylan O’Brien’s first film role?
His first major film role was as Thomas in The Maze Runner (2014).
Does Dylan O’Brien have a YouTube channel?
Yes, he started a channel called “moviekidd826” at age 14, posting comedic videos he directed and produced.
What is the Maze Runner series about?
It follows a group of teenagers trapped in a giant maze, struggling to escape while uncovering the truth about their situation. O’Brien plays the lead, Thomas.
Who did Dylan O’Brien play in Saturday Night?
He appeared as Dan Aykroyd in the 2025 film about the early days of Saturday Night Live.
Is Dylan O’Brien active on Instagram?
His official account is @dylanpatrickobrien, but it is rarely updated. The account @dylanobrienis is a popular fan-run page.
Henry Carter is Senior Reporter at MarketUK.uk, covering breaking business and market stories across the UK.