Nat Wolff

Nat Wolff
Wolff at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con
Born	Nathaniel Marvin Wolff (1994-12-17) December 17, 1994 (age 30) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations	Actor musician
Years active	2003–present
Parents	Michael Wolff Polly Draper
Relatives	Alex Wolff (brother) William Henry Draper Jr. (great-grandfather) William Henry Draper III (grandfather) Tim Draper (uncle) Jesse Draper (cousin)
Musical career
Genres	Pop rock indie
Instruments	Vocals guitar keyboards
Labels	Columbia Nick Sony BMG SaddleUp RED Music
Member of	Nat & Alex Wolff
Formerly of	The Naked Brothers Band

Nathaniel Marvin Wolff (born December 17, 1994)^[1] is an American actor and musician. He 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 their actress mother, Polly Draper. Wolff's jazz pianist 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 ranked the 23rd spot on the Top 200 Billboard Charts.

Following the ending of the Nickelodeon series, Wolff and his brother formed the music duo Nat & Alex Wolff, and they released the album Black Sheep in 2011. He later became known for his lead role in the film Paper Towns (2015), and other films such as Admission, Behaving Badly, and Palo Alto, each of which premiered in 2013. Wolff also co-starred in the highly successful theatrical film, The Fault in Our Stars (2014) before portraying Ed in the film Ashby in 2015. He portrayed Light Turner in the Netflix adaptation of Death Note (2017).^[2]

He and his younger brother starred in the 2018 film Stella's Last Weekend, which was written and directed by Draper, who also co-starred in the film.^[3]

Early and personal life

Wolff was born in Los Angeles, California, to jazz musician Michael Wolff and actress Polly Draper on December 17, 1994.^[1] He is the older brother of actor and musician Alex Wolff. His maternal grandfather is venture capitalist and civic leader William Henry Draper III,^[4] and he is also a nephew of venture capitalist Tim Draper,^[5] cousin to actress Jesse Draper,^[6] and a great-grandson of 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 Nat and his younger brother, Alex, were toddlers, they arose from the bathtub shouting, "We're the naked brothers band!", which inspired the name of the subsequent Nickelodeon TV series. Their father tells of Nat teaching himself to play major and minor chords on the piano when he was four years old. 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] By age five, Wolff had started writing his own songs, and by the time he was in preschool, he constructed a band called The Silver Boulders with his best friends.^[6]

Nat first gained notice in the wake of the September 11 attacks when he held his birthday party outside his apartment, which is where he performed his composition titled "Firefighters". The benefit concert was a success; it raised over $46,000 and was donated to the children of New York City Fire Department's Squad 18.^[15] Alex eventually joined the band as the drummer; both boys were emboldened by The Beatles. When Wolff was young, he put signs on his bedroom door stating: "I want to be a child actor!" As a result, Draper decided to appease Nat by letting him film his own sitcom called Don't Eat Off My Plate, which served as the basis for The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie.^[16]

Despite the Nickelodeon TV show’s success over three seasons, the network proposed to film 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 Nat and Alex 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 summers, which allowed him and his brother to proceed with their enrollment at private school in New York City.^[19][20][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..."

Wolff at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival

He began his acting career Off-Broadway with a minor role in his mother's play Getting Into Heaven (2003) and in the Off-Broadway production of Heartbeat to Baghdad (2004), both at The Flea Theater.

He later gained recognition, at the age of nine, for starring in and contributing lead vocals, instrumentation, and lyrics for the 2005 musical comedy film The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie, which was written and directed by his mother, and obtained the Audience Award for a Family Feature Film at the Hamptons International Film Festival. The film was bought by a former Nickelodeon executive as the pilot to the television series of the same name (2007–09),^[6][21] which was created, showran, written, and directed by his mother, while his father co-starred and produced and supervised the music. Moreover, Nat's younger brother was featured in the ensemble cast and played drums.

The series earned Nat one BMI Cable Award for composing the series' music, as well as two Young Artist Award nominations and one KCA nomination for Best TV Actor. The show produced two soundtrack albums and the single "Crazy Car" reached #83 on the Top 100 Billboard Charts. Wolff, who was six when he wrote the song, is believed to be the youngest person ever to compose a charting song on the Billboard charts. His unreleased song "Yes We Can" featured in the series, in honor of President Barack Obama, was heard by the President and his two daughters who enjoyed it and called him.^[23] Prior to the encounter, Nat had the occasion of meeting Obama, who emboldened him to write the composition.^[23]

Wolff's other film credits include appearing in the Nickelodeon television film special Mr. Troop Mom (2009), the romantic comedy New Year's Eve (2011), and the independent comedic drama Peace, Love & Misunderstanding (2011). In 2010, he starred in his brother's play What Would Woody Do? at the Flea Theater. Wolff co-starred in the comedy film Admission (2013), Palo Alto (2013), and the comedy film Behaving Badly (2014). That same year, his supporting role in the drama film The Fault in Our Stars earned him two Teen Choice Awards in the categories of Choice Movie: Scene Stealer and Choice Movie: Chemistry.^[24]

In 2015, Wolff starred in Paper Towns, his second film adaptation of a John Green novel following The Fault in Our Stars. He played the lead role, Quentin "Q" Jacobsen, a teenage boy in love with his neighbor (played by Cara Delevingne). Writing for Variety, critic Justin Chang stated: "Wolff, who's present in just about every scene, manages to hold the center as a young man who isn't overly concerned about either standing out or fitting in, and whose behavior can often be as hesitant as it is impulsive."^[25] He starred in the off-Broadway revival of Sam Shepard's play Buried Child with Ed Harris and Taissa Farmiga, from February 2 through March 13, 2016.^[26]

In 2017, Wolff starred in Death Note, a Netflix film based on the manga of the same name,^[27] and the romantic comedy Home Again.^[28][29] In 2018, he appeared in the independent thriller Rosy, directed by Jess Bond,^[30][31] and the drama Stella's Last Weekend, directed by his mother, Polly Draper, and costarring his brother, Alex. In 2019, he appeared in Good Posture, directed by Dolly Wells,^[32] and in 2020 appeared in Mortal, directed by André Øvredal.^[33]

Filmography

Films

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2005	The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie	Nat Wolff / Himself
2011	New Year's Eve	Walter
	Special Things To Do	Cliff Finley	Short film
	Peace, Love & Misunderstanding	Jake Hudson
2012	Stuck in Love	Rusty Borgens
2013	Admission	Jeremiah Balakian
	The Last Keepers	Simon
	Palo Alto	Fred
2014	The Fault in Our Stars	Isaac
	Behaving Badly	Rick Stevens
2015	Grandma	Cam
	Ashby	Ed Wallis
	Paper Towns	Quentin "Q" Jacobsen
	The Intern	Justin
2016	In Dubious Battle	Jim Nolan
2017	Leap!	Victor	Voice role
	Death Note	Light Turner
	Home Again	Teddy Dorsey
2018	Rosy	Doug
	Stella's Last Weekend	Jack
2019	The Kill Team	Andrew Briggman
	Good Posture	Jon
	Semper Fi	Oyster
2020	Mortal	Eric
	Body Cam	Danny
	Mainstream	Jake
2021	The Great Gatsby Live Read!	Jay Gatsby
2022	Murder at Yellowstone City	Young Jim Ambrose
2023	Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One	Batman / Bruce Wayne	Voice role[34]
2024	Which Brings Me to You	Will	Also producer[35][36]
	Pavements	Scott Kannberg	[37]
TBA	Play Dirty	TBA	Post-production

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[38]
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^[39]
• 2023: Table for Two^[40]

Singles

• 2014: Cities + It's Just Love^[41]
• 2014: Last Station + Rules^[42]
• 2014: Where I'm Goin' + Rock Star^[43]
• 2019: Cool Kids + Note^[44]

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

References

1. "Nat Wolff Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. Europa Publications (2003). The International Who's Who 2004. Routledge. p. 454. ISBN 1857432177.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Seidel, Mitchell (September 1, 2007). "Michael Wolff". JazzTimes. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
10. "Celebrity Jews". J. The Jewish News of Northern California. May 18, 2007. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. "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.
14. Seidel, Mitchell (September 2007). "Michael Wolff". Jazz Times. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. "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.
18. 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.
19. Dagostino, Mark (November 5, 2007). "Hanging out with ... the Naked Brothers Band". People Magazine. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
20. Joel Topcick (January 28, 2007). "Q+A with Albie Hecht". Broadcasting and Cable. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. "2014 Teen Choice Awards – Movies – Vote Every Day". Teen Choice Awards. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
25. Chang, Justin (July 4, 2015). "Film Review: 'Paper Towns'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 28, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
26. 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.
27. Kroll, Justin (September 29, 2015). "Paper Towns Nat Wolff to Star in Adam Wingard's Death Note". Variety.
28. 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.
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. 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.
32. 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.
33. 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.
34. Couch, Aaron (December 15, 2022). "'Justice League x RWBY' Movie Unveils Voice Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
35. 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.
36. 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.
37. 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.
38. Otterson, Joe (June 24, 2021). "'Joe Exotic' Peacock Series Casts Dean Winters As Jeff Lowe". Variety. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
39. "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.
40. "Nat and Alex Wolff Are All Grown Up".
41. "Discovery: Nat and Alex Wolff". Interview Magazine. April 29, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
42. "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.
43. "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.
44. "Nat And Alex Wolff's New Direction". MTV. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2024.

External links

• Nat Wolff at IMDb
• Nat Wolff on Twitter