Kaitlyn Dever was born on December 21, 1996. She is known for grounded performances that can swing from sharp comedy to quietly intense drama. Many viewers first noticed her in TV roles like Justified (as Loretta McCready) and Last Man Standing (as Eve Baxter), then watched her break out on the film side with Booksmart.
In the past few years, Dever has collected major recognition for projects like Netflix’s Unbelievable and Hulu’s Dopesick, earning Golden Globe nominations and a Primetime Emmy nomination. Her momentum has stayed strong with a leading role in the thriller No One Will Save You (2023), plus high-profile work in 2025 including The Last of Us (Season 2) and Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar. Off-screen, she keeps things pretty private, although mainstream outlets have linked her to actor and director Ethan Dawes.
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Quick Facts
| Real Name: | Kaitlyn Dever |
| Profession: | Actor |
| Born: | December 21, 1996 |
| Age: | 29 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace: | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Known For: | Grounded performances in comedy and drama |
| Notable Films: | Booksmart; No One Will Save You |
| Awards: | Golden Globe nominations, Primetime Emmy nomination, Gracie Award win |
| Zodiac Sign: | Sagittarius |
| Relationship: | Reportedly dating Ethan Dawes (public reports since 2024) |
| Years Active: | 2009 to present |
Early Life & Education
Kaitlyn Dever was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and her parents, Kathy and Tim Dever, worked as ice skating coaches. When she was about five, the family moved to the Dallas, Texas area. Dever spent much of her childhood doing gymnastics, and that early training shows up in the physical confidence she brings to screen roles.
As her interest in acting grew, she trained at the Dallas Young Actors Studio. Dever began booking work as a kid and her family later relocated to Los Angeles to support her career. During those early years she worked steadily in television and film, building a resume before landing the roles that would make her a familiar face to mainstream audiences.
Career Highlights and Milestones
Dever’s early run included attention-grabbing TV work. She played Loretta McCready on Justified (2011 to 2015), then became a long-running presence as Eve Baxter on Last Man Standing (2011 to 2021). Around the same time, she started stacking up film credits in acclaimed coming-of-age and indie dramas, including Short Term 12 (2013) and The Spectacular Now (2013).
Her breakthrough to wider recognition arrived in the late 2010s. Dever earned standout reviews in the teen comedy Booksmart (2019), then drew major awards attention for Netflix’s Unbelievable (2019) and Hulu’s Dopesick (2021). That stretch brought Golden Globe nominations and a Primetime Emmy nomination, and it positioned her as an actor who can carry both character-driven drama and sharp, modern comedy. More recently she led the near-silent home-invasion sci-fi thriller No One Will Save You (2023). In 2025 she stepped into some of her biggest projects yet with HBO’s The Last of Us and Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar.
Selected film and TV highlights
- Justified (2011 to 2015)
- Last Man Standing (2011 to 2021)
- Short Term 12 (2013)
- Detroit (2017)
- Booksmart (2019)
- Unbelievable (2019)
- Dopesick (2021)
- Ticket to Paradise (2022)
- No One Will Save You (2023)
- The Last of Us (2025)
Major recognition
- Golden Globe nomination: Best Actress (Limited Series or Television Film), Unbelievable
- Golden Globe nomination: Best Supporting Actress (Series, Miniseries, or Television Film), Dopesick
- Primetime Emmy nomination: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Dopesick
- BAFTA nomination: EE Rising Star Award
- Gracie Award win: Breakthrough Role (Drama), Dopesick
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Awards and Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress (Limited Series or Television Film) | Unbelievable | Nominated |
| 2020 | BAFTA Awards | EE Rising Star Award | Not applicable | Nominated |
| 2022 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actress (Series, Miniseries, or Television Film) | Dopesick | Nominated |
| 2022 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Dopesick | Nominated |
| 2022 | Gracie Awards | Breakthrough Role (Drama) | Dopesick | Won |
Filmography / Notable Works
| Year | Title | Type | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 to 2015 | Justified | TV | Breakout TV role as Loretta McCready. |
| 2011 to 2021 | Last Man Standing | TV | Long-running sitcom role as Eve Baxter. |
| 2013 | Short Term 12 | Film | Indie drama that helped establish her film credentials. |
| 2019 | Booksmart | Film | Breakthrough comedy, co-lead as Amy Antsler. |
| 2019 | Unbelievable | TV | Limited series lead role as Marie Adler, major awards attention. |
| 2021 | Dopesick | TV | Critically acclaimed limited series, played Betsy Mallum. |
| 2022 | Ticket to Paradise | Film | Studio romantic comedy opposite George Clooney and Julia Roberts. |
| 2023 | No One Will Save You | Film | Lead role in a tense, near-silent sci-fi thriller. |
| 2025 | The Last of Us (Season 2) | TV | High-profile HBO drama role, introduced as Abby. |
| 2025 | Apple Cider Vinegar | TV | Netflix limited series, played wellness influencer Belle Gibson. |
Net Worth, Income, & Lifestyle
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2025) | Public estimates vary, and there is no single authoritative figure. A cautious way to put it is that she has built solid wealth from steady film and television work, especially since 2019. |
| Income Sources | Primarily acting in film and TV, plus occasional producing credit and voice work. |
| Properties & Assets | Dever keeps details about property and major assets private. |
| Lifestyle | Generally low-key. She is known to spend time with family and friends, and she also plays music (she has recorded as part of the duo Beulahbelle with her sister). |
Social Media & Online Presence
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| Official account: @kaitlyndever. | |
| X (Twitter) | Official account: @KaitlynDever. |
| TikTok | No official account found. Most content is fan-edited clips and hashtag posts. |
| No clearly verified official page found. Unofficial fan pages and repost accounts exist. | |
| YouTube | No personal channel. Most video content appears via studios, interviews, and entertainment outlets. |
| IMDb | Verified filmography at IMDb. |
| Official Website | kaitlyndever.com. |
| Fan Updates | Coming soon, subscribe to follow Kaitlyn Dever updates. |
Fan communities on social media (unofficial)
NOTE: The accounts listed above are fan-run and are not confirmed to be affiliated with Kaitlyn Dever. Links and usernames can change at any time.
Trivia & Lesser-Known Facts
- Dever's parents were ice skating coaches, and she grew up doing gymnastics before acting took over.
- She is also a musician. She has recorded songs as part of the duo Beulahbelle with her sister, Mady Dever.
- In addition to film and TV, she has done voice work in games, including portraying Cassie Drake in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.
- No One Will Save You is built with almost no dialogue, and Dever carries nearly every scene.
- Her performance in the limited series Unbelievable put her in the awards conversation for playing a character under enormous pressure, while keeping the portrayal restrained and human.
Quotes
"I had to give it my all, because that's what she deserved."
Kaitlyn Dever, discussing Unbelievable (Esquire interview)
"I was feeling a lot of anger and my heart was breaking."
Kaitlyn Dever, on filming Dopesick (Deadline interview)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Kaitlyn Dever's age?
A: Kaitlyn Dever is 29 years old (born December 21, 1996).
Q: Where is Kaitlyn Dever from?
A: She was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and grew up partly in the Dallas, Texas area.
Q: What is Kaitlyn Dever best known for?
A: Many fans know her from Booksmart, Unbelievable, and Dopesick, plus long-running TV work on Last Man Standing.
Q: Is Kaitlyn Dever married?
A: She has not publicly announced a marriage. She tends to keep her personal life private.
Q: Does Kaitlyn Dever have children?
A: There are no public reports of her having children.
Q: Has Kaitlyn Dever won major awards?
A: She has received major nominations including Golden Globe nominations and a Primetime Emmy nomination, and she won a Gracie Award for her work in Dopesick.
Upcoming Projects
- The Last of Us (Season 2, 2025) – Dever joins the HBO series as Abby, one of the most anticipated new characters in the show's next chapter.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (2025) – Netflix limited series where Dever plays wellness influencer Belle Gibson.
- See You When I See You (TBA) – A Jay Duplass directed drama where Dever stars alongside Cooper Raiff, David Duchovny, Hope Davis, and others.
- Godzilla x Kong: Supernova (2027) – Dever is part of the cast for the next installment in the Monsterverse, scheduled for theatrical release on March 26, 2027.
Interviews & Features
- In press for Unbelievable and Dopesick, Dever has spoken about taking on roles that center real-world stakes and complicated emotion, without leaning into melodrama.
Public Appearances & Festivals
- SXSW (March 2025): Dever appeared at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas during the press cycle for The Last of Us Season 2.
Awards & Nominations
- Golden Globe nominations: Nominated for Unbelievable and Dopesick.
- Primetime Emmy nomination (2022): Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Dopesick.
- BAFTA nomination (2020): Nominated for the EE Rising Star Award.
- Gracie Award win (2022): Won Breakthrough Role (Drama) for Dopesick.
