Dylan Gilmer

Dylan Gilmer is an American rapper, actor, and TV host. Best known by his stage name Young Dylan, he stars as the lead in Nickelodeon's sitcom Tyler Perry's Young Dylan, which ran from 2020 to 2025. Beyond acting, he hosts The Kids Tonight Show on Peacock and co-hosts NFL Slimetime on Nickelodeon. With over 900,000 Instagram followers and a growing music career, he's one of the most visible young entertainers in children's media today, blending rap, comedy, and live hosting with an energy that resonates with kids and families alike. Born on March 4, 2009, in Annapolis, Maryland, he is African American and began rapping as soon as he could talk. His stage name mirrors his on-screen persona, blurring the line between real life and character. [edit]

Dylan grew up in Annapolis, Maryland, the only child of Damon and Deaundra Gilmer. He started rapping as soon as he could talk, and by age six, a video of him rapping to Bryson Tiller's "Don't" after a haircut went viral. That clip caught the attention of producers and led to multiple appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he performed as a pint-sized rapper. He also played peewee football as a kid and performed at NBA All-Star Weekend before landing any TV roles. He appeared on America's Got Talent during this early period. His big break came when Tyler Perry saw his viral videos and created a series around him, Tyler Perry's Young Dylan, which premiered on Nickelodeon in 2020. [edit]

In 2020, Dylan became the star of Tyler Perry's Young Dylan, a Nickelodeon sitcom where he plays a young rapper named Young Dylan who moves in with his extended family. The show ran for five seasons, making him a household name among kids. That same year, he appeared in A Boogie wit da Hoodie's music video for "Secrets." In 2021, he joined The Kids Tonight Show on Peacock, a late-night talk show for kids executive produced by Jimmy Fallon, and began co-hosting NFL Slimetime on Nickelodeon, a football highlights show. He released his single "Tik Tok" in 2022. In 2023, he appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show to talk about his journey. As of 2025, he is set to voice a role in Pixar's animated film Elio. He also participated in the audio drama Radio Play Revival in 2021. [edit]

Dylan presents as a confident, upbeat young performer with a hip-hop-inspired style, often seen in colorful streetwear and sneakers that fit Nickelodeon's youthful brand. Media outlets describe him as a "young prodigy" and highlight his charisma and work ethic. His content is family-friendly, humorous, and energetic, aimed squarely at kids and tweens. He maintains a close connection with fans through Instagram and YouTube, where he shares behind-the-scenes clips, rap performances, and personal updates. There is no official fandom name, but his audience engages heavily in comments and on social platforms. His rapping flow reportedly impressed Drake, according to Famous Birthdays. [edit]

Dylan Gilmer commands a massive stage presence that spans from Nickelodeon sets to the NFL's biggest broadcasts, yet iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings. While he dominates children's media with over 900,000 Instagram followers and headlines across major networks, his global footprint remains just outside the top 1,000 most famous individuals worldwide. The scale of his consumption signals, driven by millions of views on viral rap clips and live hosting duties, suggests a trajectory that could shift these numbers soon, but for now, he sits in the unranked tier of rising stars who have achieved significant cultural penetration without hitting the absolute peak of global celebrity metrics. His audience is a vibrant mix of young viewers loyal to Tyler Perry's Young Dylan and hip-hop enthusiasts who first discovered him through a viral video at age nine. This fanbase operates as a broad coalition of general Nickelodeon watchers rather than a tightly organized group with a formal name or specific rituals. Parents manage his social channels directly, creating a family-centric ecosystem where fans engage through likes and shares instead of dedicated fan clubs or chart-pushing campaigns. Unlike celebrities with chaotic legends or subway ads funded by devotees, Gilmer's supporters are defined by their enthusiasm for his multi-hyphenate career as a rapper, actor, and host. The lack of a named fandom reflects a demographic that consumes content casually across platforms rather than organizing around a single identity. Despite the absence of a formal title, his reach extends far beyond typical child stars, cementing his status as a household name in American youth culture while remaining just shy of the global elite rankings.[edit]

Dylan's stage name, Young Dylan, doubles as his character's name on Tyler Perry's Young Dylan, blurring the line between his real life and on-screen persona. He started rapping before he could form full sentences, and by his early teens he had already been a series lead, rapper, talk-show host, and sports show co-host. His Instagram handle is officialyoungdylan, no spaces, lowercase o. He enjoys playing sports and spending time with family and friends, and he balanced school with his acting and music career, though specific schools are not publicly known. He stands 5 ft 0 in (152 cm). One of the most retold stories from his career is the viral video that started it all: a clip that rocketed him to hip-hop fame and earned him an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Another legend is his performance at NBA All-Star Weekend, where he shared a stage with sports and hip-hop royalty. More recently, his viral moment during the NFL's Nickelodeon broadcast, the so-called 'NFL Nickmas Game', became a cultural touchstone, with fans and media celebrating the Annapolis native's charisma. When the show that made him famous was canceled in 2025, his public response became part of his lore, showing a young star growing up in real time. Fans still whisper about how he handled the pressure of live television alongside professional athletes, turning a holiday special into a defining moment for his legacy.[edit]

Dylan's parents are Damon and Deaundra Gilmer. They raised him in Annapolis, Maryland, and have been actively supportive of his career from the start. He is an only child, which he mentioned on The Jennifer Hudson Show. The family has kept a relatively private home life, but Dylan has spoken warmly about his parents in interviews, crediting them with keeping him grounded. No pets or other family members have been publicly mentioned. [edit]

Dylan's career is closely tied to Tyler Perry, who created Tyler Perry's Young Dylan specifically for him. He has worked with Jimmy Fallon as executive producer of The Kids Tonight Show. On NFL Slimetime, he co-hosts alongside other Nickelodeon talent. He also appeared in A Boogie wit da Hoodie's music video, and his rapping reportedly impressed Drake. [edit]

Dylan is a minor and has kept his personal life private. As of 2026, there are no credible reports of any romantic relationships. He is currently single and focused on his career and education. No confirmed dating history, engagements, marriages, or children have been reported. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Dylan Gilmer's net worth at $4 Million. The bulk of that wealth stems from his lead role on Tyler Perry's Young Dylan, which ran for five seasons on Nickelodeon. He also earns from hosting The Kids Tonight Show on Peacock and co-hosting NFL Slimetime. Music revenue from singles like 'Tik Tok' adds to his earnings, as do social media brand deals and paid appearances. With a growing profile in both TV and film, including a voice role in Pixar's Elio (2025), his net worth is expected to rise as he takes on more projects. No audited financial disclosures exist.[edit]