Jake Connelly (born 2012) is an American actor. He’s best known for playing Derek Turnbow in the fifth and final season of Netflix’s hit sci-fi horror series Stranger Things.
Before fame
Jake kicked off his professional acting journey around 2022, dipping his toes into small independent films and student projects before auditioning for bigger streaming gigs. His debut onscreen role came in the 2022 short film Between the Silence. He honed his skills through youth acting programs and signed with Gray Talent Group. His big break arrived in 2024 when he officially joined the Stranger Things Season 5 cast.
Trivia
At just 12 years old, Jake became one of the youngest actors to ever join the Stranger Things cast when filming began. In an interview, he shared how Millie Bobby Brown welcomed him warmly on his first day, offering tips on handling big crews. Outside acting, he loves playing basketball, sketching drawings, and hanging out with animals.
Family life
Jake often credits his parents for sparking his passion for storytelling and guiding him through the ups and downs of his young acting career.