Brett Dier
A Canadian actor whose understated charm and comedic timing made him the beloved, ill-fated husband on a hit romantic dramedy.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Canadian actor·Birthday: February 14·Millennials
Biography
Brett Dier's path to television heartthrob was a slow burn. The Ontario-born actor cut his teeth on Canadian series like 'Bomb Girls' and 'The L.A. Complex,' often playing the earnest, slightly offbeat friend. His big break arrived with the CW's 'Jane the Virgin,' a genre-bending telenovela satire. As Michael Cordero Jr., Jane's steadfast police officer boyfriend and eventual husband, Dier delivered a performance of remarkable sincerity and dry wit. He made Michael the grounded, reliable center in a whirlwind of absurd plot twists, and his character's shocking mid-series fate became one of the show's most talked-about moments. Following 'Jane,' he leaned into comedy with a leading role on the ABC sitcom 'Schooled.' Dier's strength lies in his everyman quality and his ability to find both the humor and genuine emotion in characters who are, above all, decent people trying to navigate chaotic worlds.
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.
Brett was born in 1990, 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 Brett Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Brett's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
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
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
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
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played the central role of Michael Cordero Jr., a fan-favorite character, across multiple seasons of 'Jane the Virgin.'
- Starred as C.B. in the ABC sitcom 'Schooled,' a spin-off of 'The Goldbergs.'
- Built a consistent career transitioning from supporting roles in Canadian television to lead roles in American network series.
Did You Know?
He is a skilled drummer and has played in bands.
He is married to actress Haley Lu Richardson, whom he met on the set of 'The Last Survivors.'
He is a dual citizen of Canada and the Netherlands.
Before acting, he considered a career in professional skateboarding.
“I just try to find the truth in the awkwardness.”
