Brecken Merrill was born on June 20, 2008, in the United States. He is an American actor best known for playing Tate Dutton.
His role in Yellowstone made him a recognizable face for years.
Who is Brecken Merrill?
Brecken Merrill is an American actor known for playing Tate Dutton in Yellowstone. He joined the series in 2018, appearing in its very first episode.
His character is the son of Kayce and Monica Dutton.
Brecken portrayed Tate across all five seasons of the show, appearing in 53 episodes total. He later returned to the role in the spinoff series Marshals.
Beyond Yellowstone, Brecken appeared in This Is Us as a young Nicky Jr. in 2022. He is also set to appear in the film We All Got Up to Dance.
Early Life of Brecken Merrill
Brecken Merrill was born in the United States on June 20, 2008. He grew up alongside two siblings, his older sister Karis and younger sister Seren.
His sister Karis is also an actor.
Brecken’s parents are Jesse and Kristy Phillips. His father, Jesse, works as an actor and entrepreneur, and he serves as CEO of the food and beverage company Good Culture.
Merrill attends a performing arts school in South Hadley, Massachusetts.
Brecken Merrill Age
Brecken Merrill is 17 years old as of June 12, 2026, born on June 20, 2008. His birthday falls just over a week after this date.
His zodiac sign is Gemini.
He was only 8 years old when he was cast as Tate Dutton in 2018.
Brecken Merrill Ethnicity and Nationality
Brecken Merrill is American. He holds United States citizenship and was born in the country.
He comes from a white Caucasian background.
Merrill was raised in a Christian family alongside his siblings.
Brecken Merrill Career
Brecken Merrill made his acting debut in 2018. He landed the role of Tate Dutton in the Paramount Network series Yellowstone.
He was just 8 years old at the time.
Breakthrough Role
Tate Dutton is the grandson of John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner. Brecken appeared alongside Costner, Josh Holloway, and Neal McDonough during the show’s run.
He portrayed Tate from 2018 through 2024, across 53 episodes.
During filming of season one, Costner reportedly gave Brecken advice that he later described as life-changing. That moment came while filming an episode called “The Long Black Train.”
Notable Projects
In 2022, Brecken appeared in an episode of This Is Us. He played a young version of the character Nicky Jr.
He has also worked as a model, appearing in costumes for The Lego Movie merchandise.
Recent Work
Brecken reprised his role as Tate Dutton in the Yellowstone spinoff Marshals. The new series premiered on CBS on March 1, 2026.
He is also attached to star as Emmett LeClair in the film We All Got Up to Dance. That project has been in development alongside co-stars Dalton Baker and Tony Doupe.
Merrill Filmography
- Yellowstone (2018-2024) as Tate Dutton
- This Is Us (2022) as Teen Nicky Jr.
- Marshals (2026-present) as Tate Dutton
- We All Got Up to Dance (in development) as Emmett LeClair
Brecken Merrill Net Worth
Brecken Merrill’s estimated net worth is $500,000 as of 2026.
His earnings come primarily from his role on Yellowstone and its spinoff Marshals.
Brecken Merrill Social Media
Brecken Merrill is active on Instagram under the handle @breckenmerrill.
His bio there references his role as Tate Dutton.
He shares updates about his projects and behind-the-scenes moments from Yellowstone and Marshals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brecken Merrill’s net worth?
Brecken Merrill’s estimated net worth is $500,000 as of 2026.
How old is Brecken Merrill?
Brecken Merrill is 17 years old as of June 2026, born on June 20, 2008.
Who is Brecken Merrill dating?
Brecken Merrill’s relationship status is not publicly confirmed.
What movies and shows has Brecken Merrill been in?
He is best known for Yellowstone, along with roles in This Is Us and the spinoff Marshals.
Where was Brecken Merrill born?
Brecken Merrill was born in the United States.
Is Brecken Merrill related to Kevin Costner?
No, there is no confirmed family relation. Their connection comes only from playing grandfather and grandson on Yellowstone.
The Bottom Line
Brecken Merrill landed his breakout role as Tate Dutton on Yellowstone in 2018, when he was only 8 years old. He went on to appear in 53 episodes across five seasons alongside Kevin Costner and Luke Grimes.
He grew up alongside his siblings Karis and Seren, with Karis also pursuing acting. Brecken attends a performing arts school in South Hadley, Massachusetts.
In 2026, Brecken returned to the role of Tate Dutton in the new CBS series Marshals. He continues sharing updates with fans through his Instagram account.
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