Joseph Zada

Joseph Zada is an Australian actor. Born on July 21, 2005, in Sydney, he is known for his breakout role as the young Haymitch Abernathy in Lionsgate's Sunrise on the Reaping, a prequel to The Hunger Games. His career includes appearances in the Australian film Bilched (2019), The Speedway Murders (2023), the political drama series Total Control (2024), and the Stan Australia original Invisible Boys (2025). He was cast in Amazon Prime Video's We Were Liars (2025) and is attached to the Netflix series East of Eden. At 20, he has six credited film and television appearances and is widely regarded as one of Australia's rising talents. He is also an avid surfer and self-taught guitarist, often sharing his interests on social media.[edit]

Joseph Zada grew up in Sydney in a creative household. His mother is a visual artist and his father works as a film producer. He attended a performing arts high school in Sydney, where he first discovered acting through school plays. At age 14, a family friend suggested he try acting, leading him to audition for a local short film. That experience sparked his passion. His first professional credit came in 2019 when he was cast in the independent Australian film Bilched. He adopted the professional surname Zada, his mother's maiden name, to honor his family's artistic heritage. He was born Joseph Cumpston.[edit]

Zada made his acting debut in 2019 with the Australian film Bilched. In 2023 he appeared in The Speedway Murders. The following year he landed a recurring role on the Australian political drama series Total Control. In 2025 he starred in the Stan Australia original series Invisible Boys, which brought him significant attention. He was also cast in Amazon Prime Video's We Were Liars. His breakthrough arrived when Lionsgate cast him as the young Haymitch Abernathy in Sunrise on the Reaping, a prequel to The Hunger Games. He is also set to appear in the Netflix series East of Eden. He is currently filming Sunrise on the Reaping (release expected 2026–2027) and has been actively promoting Invisible Boys and We Were Liars. In a 2025 interview with Variety, he said: "Playing Haymitch is terrifying and exciting. He's such an iconic character, and I want to do him justice for the fans." He has not yet won any major industry awards.[edit]

Zada is perceived as a grounded and serious young actor who avoids the party scene. His public aesthetic is casual and beachy, often seen in relaxed Australian-style clothing. He does not yet have an official fandom name, but his growing fanbase on Instagram informally calls themselves "Zadaites." His social media voice is warm and grateful, focusing on his work, surfing, and music. Fans connect with his authenticity and down-to-earth personality. He has approximately 15,000 followers on Instagram as of early 2026 and is not known to have official accounts on other major platforms. In a 2025 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, he said: "I never expected any of this. I was just a kid from Sydney who loved acting in school plays."[edit]

Joseph Zada stands as the 97th most famous person from Australia, a standing confirmed by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings in August 2026. This position holds steady from the previous cycle, reflecting a consistent upward trajectory driven by his recent casting in major international franchises. His presence on the global stage is tracked through comprehensive media coverage and consumption signals worldwide, solidifying his status among the continent's leading young talents. While he commands attention across film and television platforms, his fanbase remains distinctively organic. Research indicates there is no formal fandom name or organized moniker for his supporters; instead, his audience engages through standard social media interaction rather than coordinated campaigns or grassroots movements typical of established global icons. The lack of a dedicated structure suggests he is still in the early stages of transitioning from Australian productions to Hollywood prominence. Fans connect with him primarily through his verified industry milestones and personal narratives shared in high-profile interviews, rather than through a specific group identity.[edit]

Joseph Zada changed his surname from Cumpston to Zada, adopting his mother's maiden name. He is an avid surfer who frequently shares updates about his sessions on Instagram and taught himself to play guitar, occasionally posting acoustic covers online. A loyal companion to many, he owns a pet dog named Mango. Standing approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall, he maintains a grounded public image despite his rising profile. His growing fanbase informally refers to themselves as "Zadaites," though no official organization exists yet. A central piece of his modern mythology emerged in April 2026 when the trailer for Sunrise on the Reaping revealed him alongside Whitney Peak. This announcement triggered a massive reaction within the Hunger Games community, with reports suggesting he jumped nearly 20,000 spots in popularity metrics immediately following the news. Another enduring story involves his deep emotional connection to the role prior to filming. In interviews around June and August 2026, Zada revealed he was a massive fan of the series before being cast, noting the irony of playing a character who survived the arena. He described feeling destroyed after finishing production, admitting he still wears the costumes from the set, a sentiment that has become a favorite anecdote for fans discussing his dedication to the franchise.[edit]

Zada's mother is a visual artist and his father works as a film producer. He has a younger sister. He is close with his family and has credited them with supporting his early career. He currently lives between Australia and Los Angeles. He has a pet dog named Mango.[edit]

Zada has worked with directors and cast members including Pana Hema Taylor and Kevin MacIsaac on Invisible Boys, Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths on Total Control, and Francis Lawrence on Sunrise on the Reaping.[edit]

As of early 2026, Joseph Zada has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. He maintains a private personal life and has not been linked to any co-star or public figure. He is currently single.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Joseph Zada's net worth at $500 Thousand as of early 2026. The bulk of his earnings derives from acting salaries earned during his early film and television roles, including Bilched, The Speedway Murders, and Total Control. He has no publicly known business ventures, endorsements, or real estate holdings at this time. His upcoming role in Sunrise on the Reaping is expected to significantly increase his income potential in the near future. Despite his rapid ascent in the industry, his financial portfolio remains focused on his performance work without diversification into other commercial sectors.[edit]

Joseph Zada has not yet won any major industry awards.[edit]