Julia Butters, born on April 15, 2009, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actress who has taken Hollywood by storm before even reaching adulthood.
She is best known for her scene-stealing role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and her critically acclaimed performance in Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans.
At just 17 years old, she is already one of the most talked-about young performers of her generation.
Who is Julia Butters?
Julia Butters is an American actress who began her career in commercials as a toddler and grew into one of Hollywood’s most respected young performers.
Her natural instinct for storytelling and her emotional depth on screen have set her apart from her peers from a very early age.
She is best known for playing Trudi Fraser in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Anna-Kat Otto in the ABC sitcom American Housewife (2016–2020), Reggie Fabelman in The Fabelmans (2022), and Harper Coleman in Freakier Friday (2025). That is an impressive list of credits for someone still in their teens.
Directors of the highest caliber have sought her out. Tarantino personally cast her after spotting her on television. Spielberg later chose her for a key role in his most personal film. Few young actors can say they have worked with both.
Her performances have earned multiple award nominations. Critics and audiences alike have taken notice of a talent that feels rare at any age.
She continues to take on new challenges and build a filmography that most adult actors would envy.
Early Life of Julia Butters
Julia Butters grew up in Los Angeles, California, surrounded by creativity from her very first years. Her father, Darrin Butters, is a celebrated Disney animator who worked on major animated films including Frozen and Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Her mother, Lorelei Butters, is a homemaker who has played an active role in supporting Julia’s career from the beginning.
Growing up with an animator for a father meant that storytelling was part of everyday life at home. Julia reportedly acted out scenes from her favorite movies as a toddler, showing early signs of a natural gift for performance.
By the time she was two years old, she already had her first talent agent and was appearing in print and television advertisements.
That early start gave her a foundation that most child actors never have.
Julia Butters Age
Julia Butters is 17 years old as of 2026, born on April 15, 2009. Despite her young age, she has been active in the entertainment industry for over a decade.
Julia Butters Ethnicity and Nationality
Julia Butters is American by nationality. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her family background is American, with her father originally from Kearney, Nebraska.
Julia Butters Height and Weight
Julia Butters stands at 5 feet 5.5 inches, which is equal to 166cm or 1.66m, while her weight is not revealed as yet.
She has brown hair and brown eyes.
Julia Butters Education
Julia Butters has balanced her education alongside her acting career throughout her childhood and teenage years. Her parents have consistently emphasized keeping her life as grounded and normal as possible despite the pressures of Hollywood.
She has spoken in interviews about her love of reading and painting outside of acting. Her family’s support has been key to helping her manage both schoolwork and a demanding professional schedule.
Her overall upbringing reflects a careful balance between career development and a healthy childhood.
Julia Butters Career
Julia Butters began her professional career in commercials at around two years of age. Her first on-screen speaking role came in 2014, when she played Gabby in an episode of the long-running CBS crime drama Criminal Minds.
Small television roles followed over the next two years, including appearances in 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi and Best Friends Whenever.
Her career was about to shift dramatically.
American Housewife (2016–2020)
In 2016, Julia landed the recurring role of Anna-Kat Otto in the ABC sitcom American Housewife. The character was a young girl with OCD, and Julia played her with warmth, humor, and surprising emotional intelligence. She appeared in 90 episodes across four seasons.
Also in 2016, she had a recurring role in the Amazon Prime Video series Transparent. Her performance in American Housewife earned her a nomination for the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
By her early teens, she was already recognized as a standout performer in competitive television.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
The role that changed everything came in 2019. Director Quentin Tarantino had been watching television when he spotted Julia in American Housewife. He was so impressed that he wrote the role of Trudi Fraser specifically with her in mind.
After a successful audition, she was cast as the precocious child actress at the center of one of the film’s most memorable scenes.
Her co-star Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly invited her and her parents to his Malibu home to rehearse their scenes together. DiCaprio himself praised her talent publicly, reportedly comparing her to a young Meryl Streep.
The film was a major critical and commercial success, and Julia’s performance stood out even in a cast full of Hollywood icons.
The Fabelmans, The Gray Man, and Beyond
After Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Julia made the decision to leave American Housewife and pursue film full-time. In 2022, she played Reggie Fabelman in Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical drama The Fabelmans, a character based on Spielberg’s own sister Anne. Also in 2022, she appeared in the Netflix action thriller The Gray Man alongside Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans.
In 2025, she starred as Harper Coleman in Freakier Friday, the long-awaited sequel to the beloved Disney classic Freaky Friday. Critics noted her range in that film, highlighting her ability to handle both physical comedy and genuine emotional moments.
Her latest project, Queen of Bones, further cements her reputation as one of the most versatile young actresses working today.
Julia Butters Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi | Beverly Silva |
| 2016 | A Family Man | Supporting role |
| 2016–2020 | American Housewife (TV) | Anna-Kat Otto |
| 2019 | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | Trudi Fraser |
| 2022 | The Gray Man | Claire |
| 2022 | The Fabelmans | Reggie Fabelman |
| 2025 | Freakier Friday | Harper Coleman |
| 2025 | Queen of Bones | Lily |
Julia Butters Awards and Recognition
Butters has earned an impressive list of nominations for her work in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Fabelmans.
- Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award – Best Youth Performance (Won, 2019)
- Critics’ Choice Movie Award – Best Young Actor/Actress (Nominated, 2020)
- Screen Actors Guild Award – Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (Nominated, 2020)
- Chicago Film Critics Association Award – Most Promising Performer (Nominated, 2020)
- Hollywood Film Critics Association – Best Actress 23 and Under (Nominated, 2020)
- Music City Film Critics Association – Best Young Actress (Nominated, 2023)
Julia Butters Net Worth
Julia Butters’ estimated net worth is approximately $400,000 as of 2026. Her income has come primarily from her roles in television and film, beginning with commercials as a toddler and growing through high-profile projects including Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Fabelmans, The Gray Man, and Freakier Friday.
Her four seasons on American Housewife and her continued work in major films represent her primary earnings to date. Given her age and the trajectory of her career, her financial profile is expected to grow significantly in the years ahead.
Julia Butters Boyfriend
Julia Butters is currently single and has no boyfriend. At this time, she is only focusing on her bright career to achieve more fame in her life.
Julia Butters Social Media
Julia Butters is active on Instagram under the handle @julia_butters. She shares updates about her career and personal life with her growing fanbase on the platform.
Her presence on social media reflects the same warmth and authenticity that audiences see in her performances. She remains grounded and family-focused in how she presents herself online.
The Bottom Line
Julia Butters is one of the most talented young actresses in Hollywood today, with a filmography that already includes projects directed by Quentin Tarantino and Steven Spielberg.
Her roles in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Fabelmans, and Freakier Friday prove that she has the range and depth to carry any kind of story.
We hope you enjoyed reading about Julia Butters. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!