Jacob Batalon
Jacob Andres Batalon (born October 9, 1996) is an American actor of Filipino descent, best known for his portrayal of Ned Leeds, the loyal best friend of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, in five films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).[1] Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Filipino immigrant parents who arrived in the late 1980s or early 1990s, Batalon was raised in a large Catholic family with four brothers and three sisters.[1][2][3] Initially uninterested in acting, he studied music theory at a community college in Hawaii before dropping out and moving to New York to train at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, where he discovered his passion for performance.[4][5] Batalon's acting career began with a small role in the independent film North Woods (2016), with his breakthrough arriving in 2017 when director Jon Watts cast him as Ned Leeds in Spider-Man: Homecoming after an audition alongside Tom Holland.[4][6] He reprised the role in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), earning widespread recognition for his comedic timing and chemistry with the ensemble cast. Batalon is set to reprise the role in the upcoming MCU film Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026).[1][7][8] Transitioning to leading roles post-MCU, Batalon starred as the titular character in the Syfy supernatural dramedy series Reginald the Vampire (2022–2024), portraying an average-sized man who becomes a vampire and challenges supernatural norms, drawing on his own experiences with body image.[9][10] His film credits include the horror-thriller Tarot (2024), and the action-thriller Novocaine (2025), where he played Roscoe. He also appears in the upcoming action-comedy The Wrecking Crew (2025), co-starring Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, and Temuera Morrison.[11][2][12] Batalon has also been vocal about promoting diversity and representation for Filipino Americans and non-conventionally attractive actors in Hollywood.[10][13]Early years
Childhood and family
Jacob Batalon was born on October 9, 1996, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Filipino immigrant parents Billy Batalon and Vangie Andres, who hailed from the province of Pangasinan in the Philippines.[14] His family originated from San Manuel in Pangasinan, and his parents migrated to Hawaii in the late 1980s or early 1990s, where they instilled traditional Filipino values emphasizing education and stable careers such as nursing.[15][2] Batalon grew up in a large family with seven half-siblings— a brother and sister from his mother's side, and three brothers and two sisters from his father's side—in the vibrant, multicultural setting of Honolulu.[16] This diverse environment, characterized by Hawaii's blend of Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Islander influences, shaped his early years as he navigated a community rich in cultural exchanges.[5] His Filipino heritage played a central role in his upbringing, exposing him to traditions, language, and the strong sense of familial community common among Filipino Americans in Hawaii. From a young age, Batalon showed artistic inclinations, drawn to performance through music and the performing arts, influenced by the cultural storytelling prevalent in his family and heritage.[2][17]Education and early interests
Batalon attended St. Anthony's School and graduated from Damien Memorial School, a Catholic boys' school, in 2014.[18] After graduating from high school, he enrolled at Kapiʻolani Community College in Honolulu to study music theory, reflecting his initial passion for performance through singing and playing the ukulele. However, he dropped out after a short time, lacking genuine interest in the academic pursuit.[19][4] Seeking a new direction, Batalon was scouted by a Los Angeles-based talent manager during a local showcase in Hawaii, who encouraged him to pursue formal acting training. On a whim, he applied and was accepted into the two-year Associate in Occupational Studies program at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, prompting his move to New York City around 2014. There, he immersed himself in comprehensive training focused on film, television, and theater performance, which ignited his enthusiasm for acting and helped him develop essential skills like vulnerability and confidence on stage and screen.[20][4][21] As he progressed through the conservatory's curriculum, Batalon engaged in practical exercises, including scene work and improvisation classes, that simulated professional environments and built his foundational technique. In his final year, he started auditioning for roles, marking his initial foray into the competitive New York acting scene, though early attempts yielded no immediate breakthroughs. This period of dedicated preparation and trial-by-fire auditions solidified his commitment to the craft before achieving wider recognition.[19][22]Career
Breakthrough with Marvel Cinematic Universe
After completing his training at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, Jacob Batalon landed his breakthrough role as Ned Leeds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) through an open audition process in 2016 for Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Batalon submitted a self-tape for what he described as his first major audition, unaware it was for a Marvel project; after a 2.5-month wait, he was flown to Burbank for a screen test with Tom Holland, where their immediate chemistry—later likened by Batalon to a brotherly bond—secured the part.[19] Batalon's portrayal of Ned Leeds, Peter Parker's loyal best friend, spanned five MCU films, marking a significant character arc from everyday high school sidekick to a key ally in multiversal events. He first appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), assisting Parker with tech support and comic relief; brief roles followed in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), where Ned is affected by Thanos' snap and subsequently revived. In Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Ned aids in international adventures, while Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) elevates his involvement, as he wields sling ring magic to open portals across dimensions, blending his supportive nature with supernatural elements.[1][23] Behind the scenes, Batalon contributed to Ned's signature humor through improvisation, particularly in Far From Home, where he and the cast riffed organically on lines during scenes like the Tower of London confession to maintain natural comedic timing amid the film's high-stakes action. This approach, encouraged by director Jon Watts, helped balance the trilogy's tone, with Batalon often drawing from his own personality to enhance Ned's bubbly, relatable energy. His close friendships with co-stars, including Holland and Zendaya, fostered a collaborative set environment, with Batalon noting Holland's habit of sharing spoilers as a sign of their tight-knit dynamic.[24] The MCU role catapulted Batalon from obscurity to international fame, transforming him into a recognizable supporting actor and opening doors to diverse projects. Prior to Homecoming, he had no major credits; post-debut, the global success of the Spider-Man films—grossing billions collectively—elevated his visibility, earning praise for representing Filipino-American experiences and shifting his career trajectory from theater aspirations to Hollywood prominence. In preparation for No Way Home, Batalon lost over 100 pounds through diet and workouts, motivated by health improvements to sustain the demanding role.[19][1][25]Other film and television roles
Batalon's acting career began with a minor role as Cooper in the 2016 independent thriller North Woods, marking his feature film debut in a low-budget production directed by Jesse Boone. Following his breakthrough in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Batalon expanded his portfolio with supporting parts in genre films, including the role of Krill, a horror enthusiast, in the 2018 comedy-horror Blood Fest, directed by Owen Egerton, where he navigated a chaotic festival turned deadly. He also portrayed Keon, an aspiring DJ and affable coworker, in the 2019 Netflix holiday anthology Let It Snow, contributing to the film's ensemble of interconnected Christmas Eve stories. In 2022, Batalon took on his first leading television role as Reginald Andres in the Syfy series Reginald the Vampire, a plus-sized young man turned vampire who challenges supernatural beauty standards; the show, which ran for two seasons until 2024, received praise for its body-positive themes and Batalon's humorous yet vulnerable performance addressing fat shaming and self-acceptance.[26] Batalon continued with supporting roles in Shortcomings (2023) as Eugene, a comedy-drama about interpersonal relationships; Lift (2024) as Nabil, in the heist comedy; and Tarot (2024) as Paxton, a horror-thriller involving cursed cards.[27][28][29] Batalon's dramatic range further developed with his appearance as Roscoe, the loyal best friend to the protagonist, in the 2025 dark comedy-thriller Novocaine, directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, where his role in the high-stakes kidnapping plot added emotional depth to the action-driven narrative.[30][2] Additionally, Batalon reprised his Marvel character in the promotional web series The Daily Bugle from 2019 to 2021, appearing in episodes that satirized news coverage of superhero events.Upcoming projects
Batalon is set to reprise his role as Ned Leeds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.[31] A set photo released in September 2025 confirmed his involvement alongside Tom Holland and Zendaya, marking his return to the franchise following Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).[31] Rumors suggest Batalon's portrayal of Ned may feature an expanded role, potentially tying into the Hobgoblin storyline from Marvel Comics, where the character assumes a villainous identity. These speculations arose from Batalon's August 2025 social media posts teasing villain-themed imagery, sparking fan discussions about a possible transformation.[32] Regarding broader MCU crossovers, November 2025 casting rumors indicate potential appearances by Batalon in Avengers: Doomsday (now slated for December 18, 2026), fueled by narrative links between the Spider-Man storyline and the ensemble film. Industry reports highlight how events in Brand New Day could set up Ned's involvement in the larger Avengers narrative, though no official confirmation has been issued.[33] Beyond the MCU, Batalon has joined the cast of the action-comedy The Wrecking Crew, an untitled project at the time of its August 2024 announcement but now in development with a TBA release. Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, the film follows half-brothers investigating their father's murder in Hawaii, co-starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista; Batalon's role remains undisclosed.[12][34] Batalon's career is shifting toward lead and producing opportunities, with a focus on projects highlighting Filipino heritage. As an executive producer on the Syfy series Reginald the Vampire from 2022 to 2024, he has advocated for greater Filipino representation in Hollywood, and recent interviews in 2025 express his interest in developing culturally themed ventures.[35][2]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | North Woods | Cooper | [36] |
| 2017 | Spider-Man: Homecoming | Ned Leeds | [37] |
| 2018 | Every Day | James | [38] |
| 2018 | Banana Split | Jacob | [39] |
| 2018 | Blood Fest | Krill | [40] |
| 2018 | Avengers: Infinity War | Ned Leeds | |
| 2019 | The True Don Quixote | Sancho Panza | [41] |
| 2019 | Avengers: Endgame | Ned Leeds | |
| 2019 | Let It Snow | Keon | [42] |
| 2019 | Spider-Man: Far From Home | Ned Leeds | |
| 2021 | Spider-Man: No Way Home | Ned Leeds | |
| 2023 | Shortcomings | Gene | [43] |
| 2024 | Lift | N8 | [44] |
| 2024 | Tarot | Paxton | [45] |
| 2025 | Novocaine | Roscoe Dixon | [46] |
| 2025 | The Wrecking Crew | TBA | Upcoming [34] |
| 2026 | Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Ned Leeds | July 31, 2026 (upcoming) [47] |