Forbes Unveils 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment Class of 2026

A new generation of filmmakers, performers and dealmakers under 30 is redefining the entertainment industry through innovative storytelling, strategic financing and boundary-pushing performances. This cohort arrives at a pivotal moment, as streaming platforms expand global access while AI tools reshape production workflows. Their collective impact spans Broadway grosses exceeding $90 million, Oscar-winning roles and equity-focused production deals that prioritize creator control.

The 2026 list, announced by Forbes, features 30 honorees selected from public nominations and editorial research. Criteria required candidates to be 29 or younger as of December 31, 2025, with no prior appearances on any Forbes 30 Under 30 roster. A judging panel including producer Jessica Lee Gagné, actor Yara Shahidi, director Celine Song and Sundance executive Anjali Sud evaluated submissions emphasizing measurable achievements in acting, producing or financing.

Diversity defines the group, with 77% identifying as women or non-binary individuals and 55% as people of color. Founders comprise 32% of the class, while 45% work as actors or performers. This composition reflects broader industry shifts toward inclusive narratives, as streaming services enable underrepresented voices to reach millions without traditional gatekeepers.

Actress Anna Cathcart, 22, exemplifies the acting contingent after leading Netflix’s ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ trilogy as Kitty Song-Covey and its spin-off ‘Xo, Kitty’. She voices a character in the upcoming ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’, set for 2026 release, and develops unscripted projects through her banner. Cathcart entered the industry at age six via commercials and now leverages her platform to champion Asian-led stories.

Mikey Madison, 26, secured an Academy Award for her role in a 2025 drama, opting out of social media to maintain a deliberate public profile. Her win highlights the class’s breakout performers, alongside Lola Tung, 23, who headlines Amazon Prime’s ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ as Belly Conklin and boasts over 6 million social followers. Co-star Christopher Briney, 27, portrays a central love interest in the series, drawing 7 million fans through serialized romance arcs.

Producing talent Clementine Quittner, 28, negotiated a Lionsgate partnership for Small Ideas’ 2025 series ‘Hal & Harper’ as vice president at Black Bear. The agreement granted the startup full intellectual property retention alongside studio funding, a model increasingly adopted for independent content. David Lynch, 27, fronts DJL Productions, which produced Tony-winning Broadway revivals of ‘POTUS’, ‘Romeo + Juliet’ and ‘Parade’, amassing nearly 1 million attendees and $90 million in ticket revenue.

Behind-the-scenes innovators include Isaiah Chavous, 26, whose Noctal platform automates sound design for video with $2 million in venture backing from Caruso Ventures and investor Tony Kemp. The tool addresses AI’s encroachment on audio roles by streamlining workflows for creators. Auguste White, 26, joined ‘Saturday Night Live’ as one of its youngest female writers at 23 and contributes to NBC’s ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’, a comedy from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock; she holds five Emmy nominations.

Comedians Abby Govindan, 28, and talent agent Grace Goldstein, 29, round out creative forces. Govindan’s “Pushing 30” tour spanned the U.S., India, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe, weaving Indian heritage into stand-up routines. Goldstein, at WME, manages talents including Ilana Glazer and Ziwe, fostering comedic voices from marginalized communities.

Chase Infiniti, 25, bridges social media and film by partnering with Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro on TikTok campaigns for Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’. Her influencer role underscores how digital engagement drives theatrical promotion in a fragmented media landscape.

This class navigates Hollywood’s evolution, from equity stakes in IP to tech integrations safeguarding artistic labor. Their projects, including animated franchises and limited series, signal a future where youth-driven innovation sustains audience loyalty amid economic pressures.