From ‘Kissing Booth’ Heartthrob to Frankenstein: The Global Ascent of Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi has become one of the most compelling and rapidly ascendant actors of his generation, navigating a complex, often contradictory career path that spans from teen heartthrob to prestige cinema’s most sought-after anti-hero and leading man. Born on June 26, 1997, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, the actor’s journey from school plays to global superstardom is a testament to calculated risk and a commitment to transforming his public image.

The Australian Start and the Netflix Phenomenon

Elordi’s early life in Australia was marked by a passion for the arts, nurtured through school musicals and acting classes, an interest he attributes, in part, to the inspiration he drew from fellow Australian actor Heath Ledger. He has a Basque heritage, as his father was born in Markina-Xemein and immigrated to Australia from Bilbao.

His career began with small, uncredited work, including a stint as an extra in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017. However, Elordi’s life changed with a single audition for a small, independent Netflix romantic comedy, a role he took out of necessity to build a career in the United States.

That role was Noah Flynn, the charming, bad-boy jock in 2018’s The Kissing Booth. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film became a massive, globally trending hit for the streaming service, instantly catapulting Elordi to international fame and making him a viral teen idol virtually overnight. He reprised the role in two successful sequels, released in 2020 and 2021.

Elordi has since been candid about his feelings toward the franchise, once calling the films “ridiculous” and expressing discomfort with the objectification that came with the role, stating he did them “to do whatever the fuck [he had] to do” to make it as an actor in the U.S.

The Critical Pivot: Enter Euphoria

While still couch-surfing in Los Angeles and with his visa expiring, Elordi had one final audition—a role that would completely redefine his career trajectory. He was cast as Nate Jacobs in Sam Levinson’s HBO drama series Euphoria (2019–present).

Nate Jacobs is a deeply troubled, volatile high school football player, a character Elordi has described as a “narcissist” and a “sociopath.” The role was an immediate and impressive career pivot, showcasing a dark, complex intensity that contrasted sharply with his previous work. His performance earned him widespread critical recognition, cementing his status as a serious actor capable of portraying deep, psychological complexity. The success of the series, which became one of HBO’s most-watched, opened up a new wave of opportunities in prestige cinema.

The 2023-2024 Awards-Season Acclaim

Following his success on television, Elordi consciously began to diversify his filmography, selecting roles that challenged him and broke from the conventional narratives of a typical Hollywood heartthrob.

His 2023 slate proved to be a watershed moment:

• Priscilla (2023): Elordi portrayed the legendary Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola’s biographical drama, focusing on the relationship between Elvis and Priscilla Presley. His performance was lauded for its nuanced, vulnerable take on the icon.
• Saltburn (2023): He starred as the charismatic, impossibly privileged Felix Catton in Emerald Fennell’s dark comedy thriller. The film became a cultural phenomenon, and Elordi’s portrayal of the magnetic, yet oblivious, aristocrat earned him a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

These performances cemented his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most intriguing young talents, capable of balancing striking screen presence with genuine vulnerability.

In 2024, Elordi also hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live and starred in the Paul Schrader drama Oh, Canada, playing the younger version of Richard Gere’s character.

Latest News: A New Era as the Creature

As of the mid-2020s, Jacob Elordi is fully transitioning into the role of an auteur-driven leading man, with several high-profile projects solidifying his commitment to diverse and challenging roles.

The Frankenstein Transformation (2025)

The biggest news is his casting in Guillermo del Toro’s ambitious, big-budget Netflix adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic, Frankenstein. Elordi is set to play The Creature (Frankenstein’s Monster), a role that demanded an extraordinary physical and emotional commitment.

• A Physical Commitment: The role required a demanding physical transformation. Elordi, who stands at an impressive 6’5″, spent nearly 10 hours in the makeup chair for each shoot day to apply around 42 prosthetic pieces, with the removal process taking almost nine hours. His height was cited as a major asset for the character.
• Critical Reception: The film, which also stars Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth, premiered to significant acclaim, with critics praising Elordi’s performance for conveying the Creature’s intelligence, sensitivity, and inherent gentleness—a unique take on the monster. The unique portrayal of the Creature has been described as “hot” and an entity almost without precedent in the history of Frankenstein adaptations.

Other Major Upcoming Projects

Beyond Frankenstein, Elordi’s future slate further underscores his place in high-end cinema:

• The Narrow Road to the Deep North (2025): He will take the lead role in a miniseries adaptation of the Booker Prize-winning novel.
• The Dog Stars: Elordi is also attached to star in a science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott.
• Wuthering Heights: Teasers hint at his role in an adaptation of the classic novel.

Public Image, Fashion, and Net Worth

Jacob Elordi’s rapid success has been accompanied by a significant public profile. His striking physical presence and keen sense of style have made him a fixture in the fashion world, and he has worked with numerous high-profile brands.

His personal life, including past relationships with high-profile co-stars and public figures, has consistently been a topic of media speculation, though he remains private about his dating life.

Financially, Elordi’s net worth has seen a massive surge, estimated to be around $4 million as of 2025. This wealth is derived from his escalating per-project film and television earnings, as well as brand endorsements. Industry analysts predict this figure is poised to rise even further as he takes on more leading roles in major studio and prestige films, reflecting his transformation from a low-paid, aspiring actor who once slept in his car to a leading figure in Hollywood.

Conclusion: A Talent Beyond the Hype

Jacob Elordi’s career is a masterclass in evolving a narrative. He successfully leveraged the platform of a popular teen franchise to fund and launch a career dedicated to high-art, challenging, and often darker material. His dedication to craft, which saw him transform into a volatile antagonist (Euphoria), an American icon (Priscilla), a magnetic aristocrat (Saltburn), and now a literary monster (Frankenstein), proves that his depth of talent extends far beyond his initial heartthrob image. As he continues to choose projects with cinematic heavyweights like Guillermo del Toro and Ridley Scott, Elordi’s place as one of the most exciting, versatile actors working today is fully secured. The upcoming slate of 2025 projects marks the beginning of his new era—one where he is not just a star, but a genuine, critically acclaimed force in global cinema.