Brandon Sklenar

Brandon Sklenar is an American actor known for his intense, physically commanding performances. He gained initial recognition for portraying a young Andy Warhol in Mapplethorpe (2018) and a young Dick Cheney aide in Vice (2018). His career advanced significantly with his role as Lieutenant Commander Roy Pearce in Midway (2019) and the defining part of Spencer Dutton in the acclaimed series 1923 (2022–present). In 2024, Sklenar starred as Ryle Kincaid in the film adaptation of It Ends with Us, a role that earned him a People's Choice Award for Drama Movie Star of the Year and contributed to the film's worldwide gross of over $350 million. He continues his role in 1923 Season 2 and is set to lead Taylor Sheridan's upcoming Western feature Empire of the Plains. Sklenar's distinctive rugged appearance, dramatic depth, and dedication to physically demanding roles have established him as a prominent leading man in contemporary cinema.[edit]

Brandon Tyler Feakins was born on June 26, 1990, in Dover, New Jersey, USA. He spent his formative years growing up in Mendham, a small suburban town nestled in Morris County. His parents divorced when he was young, and he was subsequently raised primarily by his mother, Denise Feakins, a homemaker, alongside his older sister, Megan. A self-described hyperactive child, Sklenar channeled his abundant energy into athletics throughout his youth. He actively participated in sports, playing both football and baseball during his time at West Morris Mendham High School, from which he graduated in 2008.

It was during his junior year of high school that Sklenar's path veered towards performing arts. A friend's persuasion led him to a community theater audition, a seemingly casual event that proved to be a pivotal moment. He successfully landed a role in a local production of Grease and found himself immediately captivated by the experience of acting. Following his graduation from high school, Sklenar pursued higher education, initially attending County College of Morris for one year. Driven by his newfound passion, he then transferred to the prestigious William Esper Studio in New York City, where he immersed himself in the renowned Meisner technique. Under the tutelage of William Esper and Barbara Marchant, he completed the rigorous two-year conservatory program, graduating in 2012. During his years of training and in the period immediately following, Sklenar took on various jobs to support himself in Manhattan, working as a bartender, furniture mover, and dog walker.

His perseverance soon began to yield professional opportunities. Sklenar secured his first paid acting engagement in 2013, appearing in a T-Mobile commercial. This initial breakthrough was swiftly followed by a series of small guest roles on established television dramas, including an appearance on The Good Wife in 2014 and a role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2015. These early experiences marked the beginning of his professional acting career, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.[edit]

Sklenar's first notable film role came in 2016 when he was cast as a young Andy Warhol in the indie biopic Mapplethorpe, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2018. That same year, he played a young aide to Dick Cheney in Adam McKay's Vice. In 2019, he landed the role of Lieutenant Commander Roy Pearce in Roland Emmerich's war film Midway, a $125 million production that grossed $127 million globally and put him on Hollywood's radar.

In 2021, he was cast as Spencer Dutton in Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone prequel series 1923, opposite Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. The role required him to gain 25 pounds of muscle, learn horseback riding, and perform his own stunts. The series premiered in December 2022 to 7.4 million viewers. In 2022, he also appeared in the Paramount+ miniseries The Offer about the making of The Godfather.

Sklenar's breakthrough as a leading man came in August 2024 with It Ends with Us, starring opposite Blake Lively. The film grossed over $350 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, and his performance as Ryle Kincaid earned him a People's Choice Award, an MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Villain, and a CinemaCon Breakthrough Performer award. He followed with two 2025 releases: Christopher Landon's thriller Drop and Paul Feig's The Housemaid, based on Freida McFadden's novel. In 2026, he returned for 1923 Season 2 and was announced as the lead in Taylor Sheridan's feature Empire of the Plains, alongside Timothée Chalamet and Cate Blanchett.[edit]

Sklenar is known for his rugged, intense on-screen presence and his full beard, which he often maintains for roles. He has a commanding physicality, standing 6'3", and has been praised for performing his own stunts. Off-screen, he keeps a relatively low profile but is active on social media, where he shares behind-the-scenes content and advocates for animal rescue. He has been named one of Variety's 10 Actors to Watch and ranked #8 on People's Sexiest Men of the Year list in 2024. His fanbase, often called the Sklenar Squad, is known for its passionate support on Twitter and Instagram. Media outlets frequently describe him as a throwback to classic leading men, with GQ calling him Hollywood's most sought-after new star.[edit]

Brandon Sklenar has cultivated a dedicated following through his intense performances in major productions, though the audience remains an organic, decentralized community without a formalized name or organized rituals. While he is frequently recognized by fans on set and maintains a significant social media presence with over one million followers, there are no documented fan-funded projects, birthday billboards, or collective campaigns bearing a specific banner. His cultural footprint is defined by professional milestones rather than myth-making incidents, with his breakout role in 1923 serving as the primary catalyst for his widespread recognition. Regarding his standing in the global consciousness, iFANN has evaluated his profile but does not currently assign him a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 rankings. Consequently, no numeric rank or score is attributed to his current fame status within the system's scope. This evaluation reflects a neutral assessment of his position relative to the broader celebrity landscape as of August 2026. His reputation continues to expand based on anticipation for upcoming high-profile projects including The Housemaid, Iron Jane, and the Taylor Sheridan thriller F.A.S.T., which are generating significant industry buzz. Despite the lack of a formal ranking, his trajectory suggests a steady climb in public visibility driven by consistent work in prestigious television and film.[edit]

Sklenar adopted the stage name Sklenar as a tribute to his Czech heritage; his birth surname is Feakins. He bears two tattoos: a compass on his left forearm and a wolf on his right shoulder blade. A vocal advocate for animal rescue, he partnered with Best Friends Animal Society and adopted his dogs Moose in 2020 and Willow in 2023, both rescues. In May 2026, he received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from County College of Morris and delivered the commencement speech. His favorite film is The Godfather, and he has stated that if he were not an actor, he would be a wildlife photographer. A notable milestone occurred when he held a Guinness World Record for most consecutive weeks in the IMDb STARmeter Top 10, spanning 52 weeks from April 2025 to April 2026. Fans often recall the moment during filming of 1923 when crowds gathered specifically to watch him perform stunts, cementing his reputation for physical commitment. Another recurring topic among his admirers is the behind-the-scenes dynamic on set where he frequently shares content advocating for animal welfare, creating a unique intersection between his rugged roles and personal values.[edit]

Sklenar was born to Denise Feakins, a homemaker, and John Feakins, a contractor. His parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised by his mother in Mendham, New Jersey. He has an older sister, Megan, who works in marketing. Sklenar is engaged to actress Meghann Fahy as of February 2026; they live together in Los Angeles with his two rescue dogs, Moose and Willow. He inherited a property in New Jersey from his mother's estate in 2023, which he rents out.[edit]

Sklenar has worked closely with Taylor Sheridan on 1923 and is set to star in Sheridan's upcoming feature Empire of the Plains. He co-starred with Blake Lively in It Ends with Us and with Meghann Fahy in Drop, whom he is now engaged to. He has also worked with directors Roland Emmerich, Christopher Landon, and Paul Feig.[edit]

Sklenar had a serious high school sweetheart from 2006 to 2008 who encouraged him to pursue acting. He was in a relationship with a fellow acting student from 2009 to 2011 during his time at William Esper Studio. In summer 2023, he was rumored to be dating actress Jenna Ortega after they were photographed having dinner together twice in Los Angeles, but neither confirmed the rumors and they faded by fall. In early 2024, Sklenar met actress Meghann Fahy on the set of Drop, where they played romantic interests. They were first seen publicly at a Lakers game in May 2024 and made their red-carpet debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024. In February 2026, People magazine confirmed their engagement after Fahy was spotted wearing a diamond ring at the 1923 Season 2 premiere. As of 2026, they are engaged and living together in Los Angeles.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Brandon Sklenar's net worth at $6 Million as of 2026. His primary income streams derive from film and television salaries alongside strategic endorsement partnerships. He earned $150,000 for Midway (2019) and secured $1 million for 1923 Season 1. For It Ends with Us (2024), his compensation included $800,000 plus backend participation, yielding an additional $500,000 in box office bonuses. Subsequent roles saw his salary rise to $1.2 million for Drop (2025) and $1.5 million for The Housemaid (2025), accompanied by a 2% gross profit share. Earnings for 1923 Season 2 totaled $1.6 million, or $200,000 per episode. Endorsement deals with Gucci, Montblanc, TAG Heuer, and Peloton generate approximately $1.35 million annually. His real estate holdings include a $2.1 million home in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, and a rental property in New Jersey valued at $450,000. Managed by Morgan Stanley, his investment portfolio is worth about $500,000, complemented by $200,000 in cryptocurrency. He founded Sklenar Productions in 2025 with $250,000 in initial capital, and residuals from It Ends with Us streaming on Netflix have contributed roughly $200,000 to his assets.[edit]

Sklenar has won several awards for his performances, particularly for It Ends with Us and 1923. He won the People's Choice Award for Drama Movie Star of the Year in 2025, an MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Villain in 2025, and the CinemaCon Breakthrough Performer of the Year in 2025. For 1923, he won a Gold Derby Award for Best Drama Actor in 2025. In 2026, he received the Dorian Award for Rising Star.[edit]