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Gavin Lewis

Gavin Lewis (born October 27, 2003) is an best known for his recurring role as Connor in the Apple TV+ dramedy series Shrinking, which premiered in 2023 and stars and . He gained early recognition for portraying Moody Richardson in the 2020 Hulu limited series Little Fires Everywhere, opposite and , and for starring as Prince Emil in the Netflix comedy Prince of Peoria from 2018 to 2019. Raised in St. George, Southern , Lewis was diagnosed with at age 6 and has since become an advocate for diabetes awareness, partnering with organizations like Beyond Type 1 to educate others about the condition. Lewis's entry into acting was influenced by his family's involvement in theater, with both parents working in the field, leading him to begin performing at a young age. His early career included series regular and supporting roles, such as in the 2021 HBO Max reboot Head of the Class and the 2025 docudrama Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, where he played Timothy McCoy. By his late teens, Lewis had established himself in ensemble casts of high-profile streaming series, balancing demanding schedules with diabetes management through tools like continuous glucose monitors and precise carbohydrate tracking. As of November 2025, Lewis is expected to reprise his role in Shrinking's third season, slated to premiere on January 28, 2026, and uses his growing platform to encourage those with to embrace community support and focus on living fully, emphasizing that the condition does not define one's potential. His work highlights themes of , family dynamics, and personal growth across genres, from to drama.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Gavin Lewis was born on October 27, 2003, in , . His parents, Kyle and Colleen Lewis, are theatre professionals whose careers included work with Plan-B Theatre Company and the Utah Shakespeare Festival, providing Lewis with early immersion in the . Raised in , Lewis spent his early childhood in . The family briefly lived in , around age 6 while his father attended graduate school, before moving to southern around age eight, where his parents continued their involvement in local scenes. This environment surrounded him with theatrical influences from a young age, though he initially showed little interest in following his parents' path. At age nine, Lewis landed his first on-screen role as Young Jon in the independent film In Searching, produced by one of his mother's students and filmed in Park City, Utah.

Initial interest in performing arts

Gavin Lewis's early exposure to the performing arts stemmed from his family's deep involvement in theatre, with both parents serving as actors and educators who regularly participated in Utah's local productions. This environment naturally drew him toward the stage, where he began performing in Utah theatre scenes as a child, overcoming initial reluctance due to stage fright to develop a foundational interest in acting. His classical training commenced at a very young age, supported by his parents' professional networks at organizations like Plan-B Theatre Company and the Utah Shakespeare Festival. At around 10 years old, Lewis achieved significant recognition by earning top honors in the Utah Shakespeare Festival's Acting Competition for portraying the young Prince Arthur in Shakespeare's King John, marking a pivotal early accomplishment that honed his skills in classical performance. By ages 9 to 10, Lewis's ambitions shifted toward screen acting, inspired by his first on-camera experience in a small role during a production, where he portrayed a character spray-painting a bike and conversed with lead actor about pursuing a career. This encounter ignited his desire to expand beyond stage work. Following these formative experiences, Lewis relocated to with his mother in his early teens to access broader audition opportunities in and .

Career

Early career and training

Lewis began his professional acting career in 2015, transitioning from regional stage work in to early television appearances in after relocating with his family to pursue screen opportunities. His initial TV roles included playing Brent in three episodes of the Just Jacques and three episodes of OMG!, both short-form comedies that marked his entry into on-camera performance. These projects, produced for online platforms, allowed him to hone comedic timing and ensemble dynamics in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, in 2015, he appeared as Jacob Young in the Syfy TV film Ominous, a thriller that provided his first exposure to genre-specific acting demands. In 2016, Lewis secured a notable guest role on the series NCIS: Los Angeles, portraying the triplets Nadir, Karim, and Tomar Zahavi in the episode "The Seventh Child" (Season 7, Episode 19), which aired on March 21. In this intense storyline, his character is a brainwashed involved in a terrorist plot, requiring him to deliver emotionally charged performances across multiple identical roles using visual effects to depict the siblings. The role, directed by military veteran , highlighted his ability to convey vulnerability and tension in a high-stakes procedural format. That same year, Lewis made his feature film debut as Gazzy in Maximum Ride, a low-budget of James Patterson's The Angel Experiment, directed by Jay Martin and executive produced by Jenna for Studio71. Released directly to and later DVD on August 30, 2016, the film follows a group of genetically modified winged children on a rescue mission, with Lewis's portrayal of the inventive, youngest flock member Gazzy emphasizing youthful ingenuity amid action sequences. The production, filmed primarily in , involved practical effects for the avian elements and served as an early showcase for his physicality in fantasy roles. Throughout this period, Lewis's classical training, rooted in Shakespearean techniques from his stage beginnings, continued to shape his versatile acting approach, enabling seamless shifts between dramatic intensity and lighter fare. This foundation, developed under theater professionals including his parents, proved invaluable for auditioning and performing in diverse mediums, contributing to his adaptability in early professional engagements.

Breakthrough roles

Lewis's breakthrough came with his lead role as Prince Emil in the Netflix multi-camera comedy series Prince of Peoria, which aired from 2018 to 2019 across 16 episodes and one Christmas special. In the show, Lewis portrayed a 13-year-old prince from the fictional island kingdom of Peoria who disguises himself as an exchange student in Fresno, California, to experience ordinary life, forming an unlikely friendship with a local overachiever named Teddy. The series received mixed critical reception, praised for its lighthearted family-friendly humor and inclusive representation but critiqued for formulaic plotting typical of tween sitcoms, earning a 6.1/10 rating on IMDb from over 650 users. Lewis's performance as the charming yet naive royal was highlighted for bringing energy to the titular character, marking his first major television lead and introducing him to a wide streaming audience. Building on this exposure, Lewis appeared in a guest role as young Michael Guerin in a 2019 episode of the CW's , a sci-fi teen reboot. In the flashback sequence from the episode "," he depicted the 14-year-old version of the alien-raised protagonist during a pivotal birthday moment, serving as a brief but memorable stepping stone that showcased his versatility in dramatic ensemble casts beyond comedy. This appearance, though limited to one episode, helped transition his profile from family sitcoms to more narrative-driven teen programming. Lewis further solidified his prominence with the role of Moody Richardson, the introspective eldest son in the Richardson family, in Hulu's 2020 limited series Little Fires Everywhere, spanning eight episodes. Adapted from Celeste Ng's novel, the series explores themes of race, class, and motherhood through the intersecting lives of the affluent Richardson family—led by co-stars as Elena Richardson and as Mia Warren—and a nomadic artist and her daughter who upend their suburban world. Lewis's portrayal of the moody, academically driven teen navigating family tensions and a budding romance was noted for adding emotional depth to the ensemble, contributing to the show's positive reception with a 79% approval rating on based on 80 critic reviews. Critics commended the series for its compelling exploration of social issues and strong performances across the cast, enhancing Lewis's visibility in prestige streaming dramas. These roles collectively elevated Lewis's career, positioning him as a rising talent in teen-oriented streaming content that blends family dynamics, coming-of-age stories, and social commentary, with Prince of Peoria providing broad accessibility and Little Fires Everywhere offering critical acclaim.

Recent and upcoming work

Lewis continued to build his television presence with a series regular role as the ambitious and politically savvy Luke Burrows in the HBO Max reboot of Head of the Class, which premiered in November 2021 and explored themes of academic pressure and personal growth among high school students. In 2021, he expanded into film with the role of Wyatt, the estranged son of a widowed farmer, in the Western thriller Old Henry, directed by Potsy Ponciroli and starring Tim Blake Nelson, marking Lewis's entry into more mature dramatic narratives on the big screen. His recurring portrayal of Connor, the son of series regulars Liz and Brian, across nine episodes of the Apple TV+ dramedy Shrinking from 2023 to 2024, highlighted his ability to contribute to ensemble dynamics in a story about grief and unconventional therapy, collaborating closely with lead Jason Segel, who co-created and starred in the series. Lewis is set to reprise his role as Connor in the third season of Shrinking, slated to premiere on January 28, 2026. Lewis portrays Timothy McCoy in the episode "Tim, John and Rob" of the Peacock Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, an eight-episode drama that premiered on October 16, 2025, delving into the infamous serial killer's crimes through victim perspectives; this project represents a notable genre shift for Lewis toward intense, real-life horror narratives produced by . A career milestone came in 2025 when Lewis attended the 31st Annual at the Shrine Auditorium in , where he was nominated alongside his Shrinking castmates for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, underscoring his growing recognition in the industry.

Personal life

Type 1 diabetes and advocacy

Gavin Lewis was diagnosed with at the age of six. After his diagnosis, he entered and won an essay contest organized for children with who were making a positive impact, which earned him a meeting with singer and actor , who also manages the condition; this encounter served as a pivotal inspirational moment, motivating Lewis's resilience in handling his health challenges and encouraging his pursuits in acting. Lewis has actively used his rising profile as an actor to advocate for awareness and education, emphasizing that the condition need not limit one's ambitions. In a 2018 with Beyond Type 1, he described how diabetes minimally affects his on-set performance, crediting the supportive environment from cast and crew that allows him to monitor his glucose levels and administer insulin without disruption. He has shared personal management strategies publicly, such as maintaining consistent blood sugar checks during long filming days and resisting unhealthy craft services options to stabilize his levels. In 2020, Lewis collaborated with the American Diabetes Association through Beyond Type 1 initiatives, participating in video interviews where he detailed his post-diagnosis experiences and offered guidance on integrating diabetes care into a demanding career. As a member of the Beyond Type 1 Leadership Council, he produced advocacy content promoting a positive outlook, stating that connecting with others in the type 1 community helps make management "easier with time" and enables individuals to live fully without letting the condition hinder their goals. As of October 2025, Lewis continues to advocate for type 1 diabetes awareness through social media, sharing his personal journey to inspire others.

Musical interests

Gavin Lewis developed an interest in music as a parallel pursuit to acting, particularly inspired by his meeting with after his diagnosis at age six. Jonas, who manages the same condition, encouraged Lewis to explore music alongside performance arts and adopt new strategies for health management, such as using an . He has described music as an integral part of his life, enjoying a diverse range of artists including , and even demonstrating a playful talent for playing songs on the after practicing via online tutorials. Lewis has expressed interest in pursuing music further, inspired by Jonas.

Filmography

Film

Lewis made his feature film debut in the short film Real Boy (2015), where he portrayed Thomas, a boy grieving his father's loss through a friendship with a robot. In 2015, he appeared in the horror TV movie Ominous, directed by Peter Sullivan, playing Jacob Young, the son of a couple who make a deal with a stranger after his death. The film also starred Esmé Bianco and Barry Watson. Lewis's first major feature film role was in the 2016 science fiction adventure Maximum Ride, directed by Jay Martin, where he portrayed Gazzy, the youngest member of a group of genetically engineered children with wings. The film, an adaptation of James Patterson's novel, also starred Allie Marie Evans as Max, Patrick Johnson as Fang, Zayne Emory as Iggy, and Lyliana Wray as Nudge. In 2017, he voiced Eugene Horowitz in the animated film Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie. That same year, Lewis appeared in the short film , directed by Andrew Wood, as Young Al, and in the drama Odious, directed by Robert Sparks, as Jeremy. In 2018, he played Young Jon in the drama In Searching, directed by Josh Hagen. In 2021, Lewis appeared in the Western thriller , directed by Potsy Ponciroli, playing Wyatt, the teenage son of the titular character. Co-starring as Henry, , and , the film was produced by Hideout Films and premiered at the before a . Lewis's most recent feature film role is in the 2024 coming-of-age comedy Everything to Me, directed by Kayci Lacob, in which he plays , a in a story set against the backdrop of early-2000s . The cast includes Abigail Donaghy, Lola Flanery, , , , and . The film explores themes of aspiration and identity influenced by tech icons like . Released on digital and in 2025.

Television

Lewis began his television career with guest appearances in 2015 as Brent in 3 episodes of the OMG! and in 2016 as Max in the episode "The Best Defense Is a Good Offense" of Amazon's The Kicks. He also appeared in the NCIS: Los Angeles in 2016, where he portrayed the triplet characters Nadir, Karim, and Tomar Zahavi in the episode "The Seventh Child," young suspects involved in an international case. From 2018 to 2019, he starred as Prince Emil, a mischievous royal heir who goes undercover in a small town to experience normal teenage life, in all 18 episodes of the family comedy series Prince of Peoria. In 2019, Lewis made a on The CW's sci-fi Roswell, New Mexico, playing the younger version of Michael Guerin, an alien hybrid grappling with his past, in the single episode "." He also guest-starred as Omar in the episode "The Charity Mugger" of 's No Good Nick. He then appeared in the 2020 Hulu miniseries Little Fires Everywhere, portraying Moody Richardson, the introspective and artistic second son in a seemingly perfect suburban , across all 8 episodes. In 2021, Lewis had a series regular role as Luke Burrows, an intelligent but socially awkward student in an elite gifted class, in all 10 episodes of the HBO Max sitcom reboot Head of the Class. In 2022–2023, he guest-starred as Matthew in 2 episodes of The CW's Walker: Independence. In 2023, he provided voice work as a guest performer in 1 episode of Netflix's Carol & the End of the World. Most recently, from 2023 to present, he has recurred as Connor, the kind-hearted teenage neighbor and love interest to a key character, across seasons 1–3 of the Apple TV+ comedy-drama Shrinking. He appeared in 9 episodes through season 2, with season 3 premiering in January 2026. In 2025, Lewis portrayed Timothy McCoy, one of John Wayne Gacy's victims, in 1 episode of the Peacock docudrama miniseries Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy.

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