Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney: Rising Star, Actress, and Producer Shaping Hollywood
Sydney Sweeney | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Sydney Bernice Sweeney
Spokane, Washington, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Partner(s) | Jonathan Davino (2018–present; engaged) |
Sydney Bernice Sweeney, born September 12, 1997, is an accomplished American actress and producer who has rapidly become one of Hollywood’s most recognized and versatile talents. Sweeney first captured attention in 2018 with her compelling performances in Netflix’s Everything Sucks!, HBO’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and the limited series Sharp Objects. In 2019, she appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, further establishing herself as a rising force in film.
Her career-defining breakthrough came with HBO’s hit series Euphoria (2019–present), where she portrays Cassie Howard, earning widespread critical acclaim and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2022. She also delivered a standout performance in the first season of The White Lotus (2021), earning her a second Emmy nomination. Beyond television, Sweeney has made her mark in cinema, starring in the 2023 drama Reality, the romantic comedy Anyone but You, the superhero blockbuster Madame Web (2024), and producing and leading in the psychological horror film Immaculate (2024).
Early Life and Family Background
Sydney Sweeney was born in Spokane, Washington, to Lisa Sweeney, a former criminal defense lawyer, and Steven Sweeney, a hospitality industry professional. She has one brother, and her family has deep roots in the Panhandle region of north Idaho, living near the Washington border for five generations. Raised in a religious household, Sweeney attended Saint George’s School in Spokane, excelling in multiple sports, including soccer, baseball, and wakeboarding. A childhood wakeboarding accident left a permanent scar near her eye, a mark she has since embraced as part of her identity.
Sweeney’s interest in acting developed at an early age. To convince her parents of her career path, she created a five-year business plan outlining her goals and strategies for success. She began booking commercial roles in Seattle and Portland, ultimately moving to Los Angeles at age 13. In addition to acting, Sweeney was academically driven, participating in robotics and mathematics clubs in middle school. She later graduated as valedictorian from Brighton Hall School in Burbank, California, demonstrating both academic excellence and creative ambition. Sweeney briefly worked at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2016 before leaving to focus on acting, and she later attended UCLA for a short period.
Career
Early Work (2009–2019)
Sydney Sweeney began her professional career with guest roles on television series such as 90210, Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, and Pretty Little Liars. In 2018, she gained wider recognition as Emaline Addario in Netflix’s Everything Sucks!, portraying a high school student navigating the 1990s in Oregon. That same year, she appeared in HBO’s Sharp Objects as Alice, a psychiatric patient and roommate to Amy Adams’ character. Initially cast in a minor role, Sweeney impressed the director, earning additional scenes. She prepared for this role by researching mental health cases and visiting hospitals treating patients with histories of self-harm.
In 2018, Sweeney also starred in Under the Silver Lake, portrayed Eden Spencer in The Handmaid’s Tale, and led in the horror film Along Came the Devil. In 2019, she continued her trajectory with roles in Clementine, Big Time Adolescence, and Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, solidifying her reputation as a talented and versatile actress.
Breakthrough and Rising Fame (2019–2022)
In June 2019, Sweeney began her role as Cassie Howard on HBO’s Euphoria, a series that quickly became one of the network’s most-watched shows. Her portrayal was met with critical acclaim, earning her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Critics praised her versatility across projects, including The Handmaid’s Tale, Everything Sucks!, and Sharp Objects.
Sweeney’s work in Euphoria sparked discussions on nudity in film and television, as her performance included multiple nude scenes. She has spoken openly about these choices, emphasizing agency and artistic intention. In 2020, she founded her production company, Fifty-Fifty Films, to gain creative control over her projects and generate opportunities in Hollywood. That same year, she starred in the TV film Nocturne and appeared as Persephone in a live-action advertisement for the Webtoon comic Lore Olympus.
In 2021, Sweeney starred in HBO’s anthology series The White Lotus, playing a college sophomore. Her performance garnered another Primetime Emmy nomination, this time for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series. In 2022, Sweeney was named to Time magazine’s 100 Next list, recognizing her influence and rising star power in the entertainment industry.
Recent Projects and Expansion (2023–Present)
By 2023, Sweeney had expanded her portfolio beyond acting. She became a brand ambassador for Armani Beauty and Laneige, while continuing to take on significant film roles. She portrayed Reality Winner in the critically acclaimed drama Reality, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival. Critics praised her tension-filled performance, with IndieWire calling her “the real deal.” That year, she also appeared in the crime thriller Americana, which debuted at SXSW, and featured in The Rolling Stones’ music video “Angry”, defending her role as empowering. Sweeney was also named in Forbes 30 Under 30 (2023) in the celebrity category.
In December 2023, Sweeney starred in Anyone but You, a romantic comedy that became a surprise commercial hit. She served as executive producer, contributing to casting, script development, and the overall production.
In 2024, Sweeney played Julia Carpenter / Spider-Woman in Madame Web, a Sony Spider-Man Universe film. Though the film underperformed, she spoke candidly about her role as an actor simply executing her responsibilities. Later in the year, she hosted Saturday Night Live, starred in and produced the psychological horror film Immaculate, and co-starred in Eden, directed by Ron Howard. Critics praised her depth, range, and ability to bring agency to her characters. Upcoming projects include starring alongside Julianne Moore in Echo Valley, producing and leading a biopic on boxer Christy Martin, and reprising Cassie Howard in Euphoria season 3.
Personal Life
As of 2023, Sydney Sweeney is engaged to businessman Jonathan Davino, who collaborates with her on film projects. She considers him her producing partner, emphasizing a shared creative vision. Sweeney is multilingual, speaking Russian and Spanish, and is a passionate car enthusiast, having restored a 1969 Ford Bronco and a 1965 Ford Mustang. She also partnered with Ford to design a custom 2024 Mustang.
Top Movies and Notable Performances
Awards and Recognition
References
- Gisonna, & Nicholas. (2024, December 21). Sydney Sweeney | Euphoria, The White Lotus, & Biography. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sydney-Sweeney
- Home. (n.d.). https://www.berlinale.de/en/home.html
- Home | City of Los Angeles. (n.d.). https://lacity.gov/
- IMDb. (n.d.-a). Jonathan Davino. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11811442/
- IMDb. (n.d.-b). Ron Howard. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000165/
- Madame Web (2024) ⭐ 4.0 | Action, adventure, Sci-Fi. (2024, February 14). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11057302/
- Nominations. (n.d.). Television Academy. https://www.televisionacademy.com/awards/emmys/nominations
- Saint George’s School. (2025, January 22). Saint George's School : Spokane’s Independent Private School. https://sgs.org/
