Grant Gustin
The actor who brought a heartfelt, musical charm to the role of Barry Allen, anchoring The CW's DC television universe for nearly a decade.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American actor·Birthday: January 14·Millennials
Biography
Grant Gustin portrayed forensic scientist Barry Allen on 'The Flash' for nine seasons, anchoring the sprawling Arrowverse across countless crossover events. Born in 1990, he began in musical theater, touring in 'West Side Story' and playing a scheming Warbler on 'Glee.' His earnest, emotionally accessible performance balanced the superhero's optimism with profound vulnerability. He later returned to his theatrical roots starring in the Broadway musical 'Water for Elephants.' Gustin proved a superhero could be defined not by power, but by heart.
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.
Grant 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 Grant Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Grant'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
- Portrayed Barry Allen / The Flash for nine seasons and 184 episodes of the CW series 'The Flash'.
- Originated the lead role of Jacob Jankowski in the Broadway musical 'Water for Elephants'.
- Won the Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor: Sci-Fi/Fantasy multiple times for his role on 'The Flash'.
- Starred as Sebastian Smythe on the popular television series 'Glee'.
Did You Know?
He is a trained dancer and was part of the national tour of 'West Side Story' after college.
Gustin auditioned for the role of Billy on 'Glee' before being cast as Sebastian Smythe.
He performed a song-and-dance number to 'Footloose' in the first season of 'The Flash.'
He married fellow actor LA Thoma in 2018.
“I always wanted to be a performer, to tell stories that connect.”
