Categories Famous Actors, Celebrities born in 1996, Celebrities born in June, Celebrities born in Australia, Celebrities born on June 13, Gemini Zodiac Celebrities
Kodi Smit-McPhee has established himself as one of Australia’s most accomplished actors, earning international recognition through compelling performances. From his early success in Australian cinema to his Golden Globe-winning performance in The Power of the Dog, his career reflects versatility and artistic growth.
Early Life, Family Background, and Personal Journey
Kodi Smit-McPhee was born on 13 June 1996 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. The Australian actor is 30 years old as of 14 November 2026, and his zodiac sign is Gemini. Growing up in a family connected to entertainment gave him an introduction to the performing arts. His parents are Sonja Smit and Andy McPhee, with his father having worked as an actor and professional wrestler.
His older sister, Sianoa Smit-McPhee, is an actress and singer. With artistic influences within his family, Kodi began developing his acting career during childhood. His professional journey started in 2005, leading to opportunities in Australian television and cinema. These experiences established the foundation for a career extending into international productions.
Kodi has faced significant health challenges throughout his life. At 16, he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a degenerative form of arthritis that can cause vertebrae in the spine to fuse, resulting in chronic pain and potentially affecting vision. While filming The Power of the Dog, he experienced impaired vision in his left eye because of a severe cataract associated with the condition. His professional achievements have unfolded alongside these personal circumstances.
Early Acting Career and Breakthrough Performances
Kodi’s early television appearances included Monarch Cove in 2006, where he portrayed Young Jake across four episodes. That year, he appeared in two episodes of Nightmares and Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King, playing Brandon and Jackson Evans. He also portrayed Toby Connelly in the television film Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America. These roles introduced him to different characters and storytelling formats.
His first feature film appearance came with Romulus, My Father in 2007, portraying Raimond. The performance brought recognition, including the 2007 Australian Film Institute Award for Best Young Actor and a nomination for Best Actor. He also appeared as Young John Wesley in the television film The King that year. His early success demonstrated an ability to handle demanding material at a young age.
In 2009, Kodi gained international attention through The Road, portraying a boy navigating a harsh world. His performance earned a Critics’ Choice Award nomination for Best Young Actor and a 2010 Australian Film Institute nomination for Best International Actor. He also appeared as Davis in Tinytown during 2009. These projects strengthened his reputation and opened further opportunities in filmmaking.
His next breakthrough arrived with Let Me In in 2010, where he portrayed Owen. The performance earned another Critics’ Choice Award nomination for Best Young Actor, reinforcing his standing among promising performers. That year, he also appeared as Finn in Matching Jack. By this stage, Kodi had developed an impressive filmography featuring several demanding leading roles.
Expanding His Career Through Animation, Drama, and Blockbusters
In 2012, Kodi voiced Norman Babcock in the stop-motion animated film ParaNorman. The production received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature and a BAFTA nomination for Best Animated Film in 2013. He also appeared as Josef in Dead Europe, which premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. His work demonstrated his ability to contribute to animated storytelling and live-action drama.
The following years brought varied performances. He starred as David Portnoy in A Birder’s Guide to Everything, which premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival, and portrayed Benvolio Montague in Romeo & Juliet. Other projects included The Congress, All the Wilderness, and Young Ones, which premiered at Sundance in January 2014. In Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, he played Alexander, expanding his experience with studio productions.
Kodi continued building his international profile through Slow West in 2015, portraying Jay Cavendish. He also starred as Thomas “Tolly” Johnson in the seven-part television drama Gallipoli, broadcast in February and March 2015. His character is a seventeen-year-old who pretends to be older to enlist alongside his brother Bevan. The series explored soldiers’ experiences during the Gallipoli campaign, coinciding with the landing’s centenary.
A franchise opportunity followed when Kodi portrayed Kurt Wagner, better known as Nightcrawler, in X-Men: Apocalypse in 2016. He subsequently made a cameo appearance in Deadpool 2 and reprised Nightcrawler in Dark Phoenix in 2019. In Alpha, released in 2018, he played Keda, an Ice Age adolescent who develops a bond with a wolf. These performances introduced his work to audiences across superhero cinema and prehistoric adventure.
His additional credits include Dolemite Is My Name in 2019, where he portrayed Nicholas Josef von Sternberg, and the science-fiction film 2067 in 2020, playing Ethan Whyte. Television work included voicing Ravi in Poppy Cat from 2011 to 2016 and portraying Chris Keller in Interrogation in 2020. Together, these projects reflected his range across film and television.
Golden Globe Recognition and Recent Career Achievements
Kodi reached another career milestone with Jane Campion’s western The Power of the Dog in 2021. Playing Peter Gordon, a troubled teenager, he delivered a critically acclaimed performance following the film’s premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. Critics praised the complexity and restraint of his portrayal, highlighting his ability to communicate difficult emotions. The role became one of his defining achievements.
His performance earned the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor, alongside nominations for the Academy Award, Actor Award, BAFTA Award, and Critics’ Choice Movie Award in the same category. In 2022, he portrayed Jimmie Rodgers Snow in Elvis and joined Alfonso Cuarón’s television project Disclaimer. The latter premiered in 2024, featuring Kodi as Nicholas Ravenscroft. His involvement in prominent productions reflected his established position within international entertainment.
During 2024, Kodi portrayed Mandrax in the biographical drama Maria and voiced Gilbert Pudel in Memoir of a Snail. In 2025, he made his London stage debut as Konstantin Treplev in Thomas Ostermeier’s production of The Seagull at the Barbican Theatre. His 2026 film credits include The Passenger, portraying Lloyd, and Confession. Upcoming projects include an untitled Mike Thornton biopic, currently filming, and Black Palace, in post-production.
Kodi Smit-McPhee’s journey from Adelaide to internationally celebrated productions highlights a career built through memorable performances and artistic development. With award-winning work across cinema, television, animation, and theatre, the Australian actor continues to demonstrate the versatility that has defined his professional journey.
