Haley Lu Richardson
An actress whose radiant, grounded performances turned her from a scene-stealing supporting player into a captivating leading woman.
Born 1995 (age 31)·American actress·Birthday: March 7·Millennials
Biography
Haley Lu Richardson didn't arrive in Hollywood; she emerged from it, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, who began dancing before she could fully walk. That dancer's discipline and expressiveness became the foundation for an acting career built on startling authenticity. After early roles on Disney Channel, she announced her presence with a sharp, funny turn in *The Edge of Seventeen* and a hauntingly vulnerable performance in M. Night Shyamalan's *Split*. Richardson possesses a rare quality of luminous normalcy, making her characters feel immediately knowable. She leveraged this into starring roles, carrying the charming romance *Columbus* with quiet intensity and embodying the obsessive drive of a young gymnast in *The Bronze*. Whether in the sun-drenched escapism of *Five Feet Apart* or the unsettling satire of *The White Lotus*, she consistently locates the complex, beating heart within her characters, earning a reputation as one of her generation's most relatable and watchable talents.
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.
Haley was born in 1995, 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 Haley Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Haley's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
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
2011Could drive
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
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received critical acclaim for her leading role as Casey in the indie film *Columbus* (2017).
- Starred as Stella in the hit romantic drama *Five Feet Apart* (2019), which became a commercial success.
- Delivered a standout supporting performance as Hailey in the coming-of-age film *The Edge of Seventeen* (2016).
- Played a key role in the first season of the HBO series *The White Lotus* as Portia.
Did You Know?
She was a competitive dancer for over a decade, training in styles like ballet, jazz, and hip-hop.
Richardson is a certified yoga instructor.
She turned down a scholarship to a prestigious dance college to pursue acting.
Her middle name, 'Lu,' is her mother's maiden name.
“I'm really interested in playing people who are messy and complicated and not always likeable.”
