Nathaniel Marvin Wolff (born December 17, 1994),[1] known by his nickname and professionally as Nat Wolff, is an American actor, musician, and singer-songwriter. He initially gained recognition for composing the music for The Naked Brothers Band (2007–2009), a Nickelodeon television series he starred in with his younger brother, Alex, that was created by his actress mother, Polly Draper. Wolff's jazz musician father, Michael Wolff, co-produced the series' soundtrack albums The Naked Brothers Band (2007) and I Don't Want to Go to School (2008), both of which placed the 23rd spot on the Billboard 200 charts.
Nat Wolff | |
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 Wolff at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | Nathaniel Marvin Wolff December 17, 1994 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2003–present |
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| Musical career | |
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| Labels | |
| Member of | Nat & Alex Wolff |
| Formerly of | The Naked Brothers Band |
After the Nickelodeon series concluded, he and his brother formed the music duo Nat & Alex Wolff and they released the albums Black Sheep (2011), Public Places (2016), and Table for Two (2023). Wolff later became known for his lead role in the film Paper Towns (2015) and starring in other movies, such as Admission (2013), Behaving Badly (2013), Palo Alto (2013), The Fault in Our Stars (2014), Ashby (2015), Home Again (2017), the Netflix adaptation of Death Note (2017), Stella's Last Weekend (2018), Rosy (2018), and Mortal (2020).[2][3]
Early and personal life
Wolff was born on December 17, 1994, in Los Angeles, California, to jazz musician Michael Wolff and actress Polly Draper.[1] He is the older brother of actor and musician Alex Wolff. His uncle is venture capitalist Tim Draper,[4] and he is a cousin to TV personality and venture capitalist Jesse Draper.[5] He is also a maternal grandson of venture capitalist and civic leader William Henry Draper III,[6] and a great-grandson to banker and diplomat William Henry Draper, Jr.[7][8] His father is Jewish,[9][10] while his mother is from a Christian background.[11][12]
Wolff has Tourette's syndrome that he inherited from his father.[13]
When he and his younger brother were toddlers, they climbed out of the bathtub and referred to themselves as "the naked brothers band", which inspired the name of the Nickelodeon TV series.[5]
Wolff taught himself to play major and minor chords on the piano at the age of 4. As his father recalls, "I asked him, 'How did you learn them?' He said, 'Dad, they're right here.' I said, 'What are those chords?' He said, 'These are my proud chords.'"[14] Around this age, his passion for The Beatles emboldened him to start writing his own songs. Throughout the years he attended preschool, he, alongside his best friends, constructed a band[5] called The Silver Boulders.
In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he held his seventh birthday party outside his apartment, where he and his band performed a song he composed called "Firefighters". The benefit concert was a success; it garnered over $46,000 and was donated to the families of New York City Fire Department's Squad 18.[15]
As an 8 year old, Wolff placed a sign on his bedroom door stating: "I want to be a child actor!" In response, his mother appeased him by suggesting they film a home movie titled Don't Eat Off My Plate, which later served as the basis for The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie.[16]
Despite the success of the subsequent Nickelodeon series over the course of three seasons, the network proposed to shoot a 30 TV movie fourth season during the school year, leading his parents to cancel the series in 2009.[17] From the beginning, they were hesitant to expose him and his brother to stardom at a young age[18] and later agreed to the series spin-off on the provision that filming would take place only during the summer and early fall, allowing him and his brother to proceed with their enrollment at private school in New York City.[15][19][20]
In 2008, Wolff, then aged 13, wrote a song called "Yes We Can" that was featured in the Nickelodeon TV series, as a tribute to Barack Obama's presidential campaign. The song was overheard by Obama and his two daughters, who endorsed it and called him to express their gratitude.[21]
Career
"Having our life turned into a mockumentary wasn't as big a deal as some would think. We took all the friendships, Alex's one liners, and my music and put it into a storyline; it was a heightened reality... The show created a great audience for us..."
During his childhood, Wolff began his acting career off-Broadway with a minor role in his mother's play Getting into Heaven (2003) and in Heartbeat to Baghdad (2004), both staged at The Flea Theater in Manhattan, New York. At this time, he frequently performed at the Improv Comedy Club, also located in Manhattan.
He later gained recognition, at the age of 9, for starring in and contributing lead vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation for The Naked Brothers Band film that was written and directed by his mother and screened at the Hamptons International Film Festival in 2005.
However, Wolff did not first rise to prominence until he was 12 years old after the film was bought by a former Nickelodeon executive at the festival as the pilot for the Nickelodeon television series of the same name (2007–09).[5][20] The series was also created, showran, written, and directed by his mother, while his brother was featured in the ensemble cast and played the drums. His father co-starred, as well as produced and supervised the music. It released two soundtrack albums that were charted on the Billboard 200, with the single "Crazy Car" ranking #83 on the Billboard Hot 100. Wolff, who was 9 when he recorded the song under the guidance of his father in the studio, is believed to be the youngest person to compose a song featured on the Billboard charts.
His TV movie credits include a cameo in Mr. Troop Mom (2009), as well as starring alongside his brother in Stella's Last Weekend (2018), which was written and directed by his mother, who also co-starred. He appeared in the Netflix film based on the manga of the same name Death Note (2017),[23] and was cast in several theatrical movies, such as New Year's Eve (2011), Peace, Love & Misunderstanding (2011), Admission (2013), Palo Alto (2013), Behaving Badly (2014), The Fault in Our Stars (2015),[24] Paper Towns (2015),[25] Home Again (2017),[26][27] Rosy (2018),[28][29] Good Posture (2019),[30] and Mortal (2020).[31]
Wolff's other off-Broadway performances comprise roles in his brother's play What Would Woody Do? (2010) at The Flea Theater, and in the revival of Sam Shepard's play Buried Child (2016).[32]
As of 2024, he and his brother have been touring with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and musician Billie Eilish as the opening act for her concerts across the United States.[13]
Filmography
Films
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–2009 | The Naked Brothers Band | Nat Wolff / Himself | Main cast; 42 episodes |
| 2009 | Mr. Troop Mom | Nat Wolff / Himself | Television film |
| 2017 | Room 104 | Elder Joseph | Episode: "The Missionaries" |
| 2020–21 | The Stand | Lloyd Henreid | Television miniseries; main cast |
| 2022 | Joe vs. Carole | Travis Maldonado | Limited series[37] |
| 2023 | The Consultant | Craig | Main cast; 8 episodes |
Music videos
| Year | Song | Artist | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "Graduation" | Benny Blanco, Juice Wrld | Jasper | |
| 2024 | "Chihiro" | Billie Eilish | Love-interest |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Buried Child | Vince | The New Group | Off-Broadway |
| 2023 | The Seagull/Woodstock, NY | Kevin |
Albums
Soundtrack albums as part of the TV series The Naked Brothers Band
- 2007: The Naked Brothers Band: Music from the Movie
- 2007: The Naked Brothers Band
- 2008: I Don't Want to Go to School
- 2013: Throwbacks
Studio albums as duo Nat & Alex Wolff
- 2011: Black Sheep
- 2016: Public Places[38]
- 2023: Table for Two[39]
Singles
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Hamptons International Film Festival | Audience Award – Family Feature Film | The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie | Won |
| 2007 | BMI Awards | Cable Award | The Naked Brothers Band | Won |
| 2008 | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor | Nominated | ||
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Television Actor | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor | Nominated | |
| 2014 | Young Hollywood Awards | Breakthrough Actor | Himself | Nominated |
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie: Scene Stealer | The Fault in Our Stars | Won | |
| Choice Movie: Chemistry (with Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley) | Won | |||
| 2015 | Choice Summer Movie Star: Male | Paper Towns | Nominated | |
| CinemaCon Awards | Rising Star | Himself | Won |
The Naked Brothers Band film and TV series earned Wolff two awards and many other nominations. In 2005, The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie obtained him an Audience Award for a Family Feature Film. He received a Broadcast Music, Inc. Cable Award for composing the series' music in 2007. In 2008, Wolff was given a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series. Wolff took another Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actor and one Kids' Choice Award nomination for Best TV Actor in 2009. In 2010, he was also given a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor.
In 2014, Wolff won two Teen Choice Awards in the categories of Choice Movie: Scene Stealer and Choice Movie: Chemistry for The Fault in Our Stars.[44] That following year in 2015, he was honored with a CinemaCon Award for a Rising Star.
References
- ^ a b "Nat Wolff biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
- ^ Draper, Polly (2018), Stella's Last Weekend, Nat Wolff, Alex Wolff, Polly Draper, archived from the original on September 27, 2018, retrieved July 23, 2018
- ^ Tedder, Michael (August 18, 2017). "Nat Wolff talks jumping into horror at 'Death Note' New York premiere". Variety. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
- ^ Saracevic, Al (January 26, 2007). "The technology chronicles: Six degrees of Tim Draper". SFGate. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Lee, Felicia R. (January 25, 2007). "A TV family bound by blood and a band". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 5, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2007.
- ^ Europa Publications (2003). The international who's who 2004. Routledge. p. 454. ISBN 1857432177.
- ^ Lim, Jason (June 3, 2011). "Baidu early investor, Tim Draper is the risk master". TechNode. Archived from the original on January 24, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ PV, Sahad (October 16, 2008). "Next tech giant will be a cellphone application company: Tim Draper". VCCircle. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ Seidel, Mitchell (September 1, 2007). "Michael Wolff". JazzTimes. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ "Celebrity jews". J. The Jewish News of Northern California. May 18, 2007. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ Smason, Alan (November 3, 2006). "Cleveland set to enjoy smooth jazz stylings of Michael Wolff". Cleveland Jewish News. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2007.
- ^ Smason, Alan (March 8, 2013). "Jeff Berlin to join Wolff and Clark Expedition here". Crescent City Jewish News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
- ^ a b "Alex Wolff says he, brother Nat and tourmate Billie Eilish 'have bonded' over having Tourette's: 'She's one of us'". People. October 4, 2024.
- ^ Seidel, Mitchell (September 2007). "Michael Wolff". Jazz Times. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
- ^ a b Dagostino, Mark (November 5, 2007). "Hanging Out with ... The Naked Brothers Band: For these tween stars and their famous parents, making music—and hit TV shows—runs in the family". People. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
- ^ Ryan, Suzanne C. (January 7, 2007). "Getting with the program". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved December 9, 2007.
- ^ "A former child star dodges teen perils, leaps from Nickelodeon to Tina Fey and Paul Rudd's 'Admission'". The Hollywood Reporter. February 3, 2013. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Smith, Stacy Jenel. "Rising stars Nat and Alex Wolff: 'Naked Brothers'? success gives mom pause". Netscape Celebrity. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
- ^ Joel Topcick (January 28, 2007). "Q+A with Albie Hecht". Broadcasting and Cable. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ a b Steinberg, Jacques (September 22, 2007). "Famous for playing rock stars". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
- ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (December 11, 2008). "Tween TV star inspired by Obama". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
- ^ Sutton, Judy (August 11, 2009). "Chatting with the Wolff Brothers of the Naked Brothers Band". Time Out Chicago. Archived from the original on March 12, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (September 29, 2015). "Paper Towns Nat Wolff to star in Adam Wingard's Death Note". Variety.
- ^ "2014 Teen choice awards – Movies – Vote every day". Teen Choice Awards. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
- ^ Chang, Justin (July 4, 2015). "Film review: 'Paper Towns'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 28, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (November 2, 2016). "'SNL' alum Jon Rudnitsky joins Reese Witherspoon in 'Home Again' (exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (November 8, 2016). "Reese Witherspoon's 'Home Again' adds Pico Alexander". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 17, 2015). "Nat Wolff set to star in Jessica Manafort-helmed indie 'Rosy'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
- ^ Boone, John (June 19, 2018). "Nat Wolff plays a kidnapper looking for love in twisted 'Rosy' trailer (exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ^ Grater, Tom (December 22, 2017). "Emily Mortimer, Grace Van Patten wrap US comedy-drama 'Good Posture'". ScreenDaily. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (May 20, 2017). "Cannes: Nat Wolff joins fantasy adventure 'Mortal' (exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ^ Clemet, Olivia (December 3, 2015). ""Mad Men" star Rich Sommer joins cast of upcoming off-broadway revival of Sam Shepard's Buried Child". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
- ^ Couch, Aaron (December 15, 2022). "'Justice League x RWBY' movie unveils voice cast (exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Max Goldbart (May 12, 2022). "The Hating Game' star Lucy Hale reunites with director Peter Hutchings for rom-com 'Which Brings Me to You' – Cannes Market". Deadline. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
- ^ Complex, Valerie (September 28, 2022). "Four Board BCDF Pictures Lucy Hale-Nat Wolff Romantic Comedy 'Which Brings Me to You'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
- ^ Hogan, Mike (September 3, 2024). "Watch Joe Keery and Jason Schwartzman butt heads in an exclusive clip from 'Pavements'". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (June 24, 2021). "'Joe Exotic' peacock series casts Dean Winters as Jeff Lowe". Variety. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ "Nat and Alex Wolff spill on 'fun' first tour in years while preparing for next era: 'Just the beginning' (exclusive)". Yahoo News. January 25, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Nat and Alex Wolff Are All Grown Up".
- ^ "Discovery: Nat and Alex Wolff". Interview Magazine. April 29, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "The Nat & Alex 'Fault In Our Stars' Easter egg you totally missed". MTV. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Nat and Alex Wolff just took their music to a whole new level with two brand-new folksy songs". Teen Vogue. October 7, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Nat and Alex Wolff's new direction". MTV. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "2014 Teen choice awards – Movies – Vote every day". Teen Choice Awards. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
External links
