Tommy Nelson (actor)
An actor who brought unsettling depth to the role of a teenage Jeffrey Dahmer's friend, marking a chilling breakout performance.
Born 1997 (age 29)·American actor·Birthday: December 7·Generation Z
Biography
Tommy Nelson emerged from Ohio with a quiet determination, landing his first major role while still a student. His portrayal of Neil in 'My Friend Dahmer' was a masterclass in subtlety, capturing the unsettling normalcy surrounding a future serial killer. This performance, requiring a delicate balance of empathy and unease, announced him as a young actor of serious caliber. He followed this with roles in independent films like 'The Cat and the Moon,' showcasing a range that moves beyond his haunting debut. Nelson continues to build a filmography defined by thoughtful character choices, establishing himself as a compelling presence in character-driven cinema.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Tommy was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Tommy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
Tommy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
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
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Delivered a critically praised performance as Neil in the 2017 biographical drama 'My Friend Dahmer'.
- Starred as Russell in the 2019 independent film 'The Cat and the Moon'.
- Began his professional acting career while attending the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music.
Did You Know?
He is a trained musician and played the cello for over a decade.
He originally auditioned for the role of Jeffrey Dahmer in 'My Friend Dahmer' but was cast as Neil instead.
He is an avid fan of the Cleveland Browns football team.
“The most terrifying things are often hidden in plain sight, behind a normal face.”
