Brandon Flynn
A stage-trained actor who brought nuanced vulnerability to the controversial role of Justin Foley in '13 Reasons Why.'
Born 1993 (age 33)·American actor·Birthday: October 11·Millennials
Biography
Brandon Flynn emerged not from a typical Hollywood pipeline, but from the rigorous training of the Rutgers University theater program. His breakout role as Justin Foley in Netflix's '13 Reasons Why' placed him at the center of a cultural firestorm, requiring him to portray a complex teenager grappling with guilt, addiction, and trauma. Flynn approached the part with a thoughtful intensity, avoiding easy villainy to find the wounded humanity within. Since the show's conclusion, he has deliberately sought varied projects, from the gothic horror of 'Ratched' to the grim crime anthology 'True Detective,' demonstrating a range beyond his teen drama origins. He maintains a strong connection to the theater, his first love, and often chooses roles that explore dark, psychological terrain.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Brandon was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Brandon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Brandon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Justin Foley across four seasons of the globally influential Netflix series '13 Reasons Why.'
- Starred as a troubled orderly in the first season of Ryan Murphy's psychological thriller series 'Ratched.'
- Played a significant role in the third season of HBO's acclaimed anthology 'True Detective.'
- Performed in Off-Broadway and regional theater productions, including 'The Last Match' at the Roundabout Theatre.
Did You Know?
He is a trained stage actor and graduated from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.
Flynn is openly gay and has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
He played the lead role in a 2022 revival of the horror film franchise 'Hellraiser.'
Before acting, he considered pursuing a career in psychology.
“I'm interested in the messiness of people, not the clean resolution.”
