Lonnie Chavis is a talented American actor and inspiring actor and activist who gained worldwide recognition for playing the young Randall Pearson actor in the award-winning NBC drama series This Is Us. His remarkable acting career began at a young age, and he quickly became known as one of Hollywood’s brightest rising stars.
Besides acting, he actively supports kindness, equality, and anti-bullying campaigns, making him a positive role model for young people.Whether you’re looking for a complete Lonnie Chavis wiki or want to learn about his personal life and achievements, this guide provides accurate, easy-to-understand information.
Who Is Lonnie Chavis?
Ask any fan of NBC’s beloved family drama who the young version of Randall Pearson was, and they’ll say Lonnie Chavis without hesitation. This American actor built a name for himself before most kids finish elementary school. Born in California, he became one of the most recognizable faces in child actor circles thanks to raw talent and an unusually mature screen presence.
Also read: cooper-dodson
Beyond acting, Chavis carved out a second identity as a youth activist, using his platform to speak on bullying and racism. That combination actor and activist sets him apart from typical Hollywood newcomers. His Lonnie Chavis biography reads like a fast-forward reel: discovered young, famous fast, and still growing into his craft.
Quick Bio info
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lonnie Chavis Jr. |
| Professional Name | Lonnie Chavis (also releases music as “L0”) |
| Date of Birth | November 23, 2007 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 18 years old |
| Place of Birth | Downey, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Accent | American (California/General American) |
| Profession | Actor, Musician, Activist |
| Famous For | Playing young Randall Pearson on NBC’s This Is Us |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Height | Approx. 5’8″ (1.74 m) |
| Weight | 50 kgs |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Body Type | Slim/Athletic |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Father’s Name | Lonnie Chavis Sr. |
| Mother’s Name | Najah Chavis |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Education | Homeschooled from around 2017 to balance acting work with academics |
| Career | Began acting around age 6; TV debut in Bella and the Bulldogs (2015); breakthrough as young Randall Pearson on This Is Us (2016–2022); other credits include White Famous, Magic Camp, The Water Man, The Boy Behind the Door, and Skin |
| Net Worth | Commonly cited in the range of several hundred thousand to around $1–2 million |
| Language | English |
Personal Information
Full Name
Lonnie Chavis Jr.
Gender
Male
Date of Birth
November 23, 2007
Age
18 years old (as of 2026)
Birthplace
Downey, California, USA
Hometown
Downey / Long Beach, California
Current Residence
California, USA
Nationality
American
Ethnicity
African American
Education / Qualification
Homeschooled from around 2017 onward to balance acting commitments; reportedly completed high school in his mid-teens
Profession
Actor, Musician, Activist
Languages Spoken
English
Hobbies & Interests
Swimming, playing video games, dancing, and music production
Marital Status
Single
Father Name
Lonnie Chavis Sr.
Mother Name
Najah Chavis
Siblings
Three younger brothers (commonly reported as Andrew, Tyler, and Ryan)
Physical Appearance
Height (Feet/Inches)
Approx. 5’8″
Height (cm)
Approx. 174 cm
Weight (kg)
50 kg
Weight (lbs)
About 110 lbs
Eye Color
Brown
Hair Color
Black
Body Type
Slim/Athletic
Skin Tone
Brown
Shoe Size
Not publicly disclosed
Tattoos
None reported
Piercings
None reported
Distinctive Features
Warm smile; known early on for a noticeable gap in his teeth, which he publicly addressed in his #FixYourHeart anti-bullying message
Early Life and Childhood
Long before cameras found him, young Lonnie showed signs of a natural performer. At just four years old, he pointed at the television and told his mother he wanted to be there. That single moment nudged his family toward pursuing modeling and commercial work when he turned six.
A theatrical agent noticed his charisma almost immediately. Auditions followed, and by nine, Chavis had landed his career-defining role. His childhood wasn’t without frightening moments, though. In 2016, while taking out the trash outside his Long Beach home, he was nearly abducted by masked men.
He fought back, escaped, and ran to a neighbor for help a terrifying ordeal for an eight-year-old that later shaped his outlook on resilience. That early brush with danger, paired with sudden fame, gave his acting journey a weight most child performers never experience.
Age, Birthday, and Zodiac Sign
Fans frequently type “born November 23, 2007” into search bars, wanting confirmation of his exact birthdate. That date places him firmly in Sagittarius territory, a fire sign known for boldness, humor, and a restless curiosity traits that arguably show up in his energetic screen performances. Sagittarians are typically described as adventurous and generous, yet occasionally impatient.
Whether or not astrology holds real weight, it’s a fun lens fans use to analyze celebrities. Since he was born in the late 2000s, Chavis belongs to a generation raised alongside smartphones and social media, which partly explains why his anti-bullying message resonated so strongly online. Every November, fans flood his social channels wishing him well, treating his birthday almost like a mini holiday within fan communities.
Family Background and Parents
Lonnie Chavis family life has always centered around close knit support. His father, Lonnie Chavis Sr., and mother, Najah Chavis, raised him alongside three younger brothers reports commonly name them Andrew, Tyler, and Ryan. Growing up as the eldest sibling in a household with several boys likely sharpened the patience and confidence he later brought to set.
His parents played an outsized role behind the scenes, driving him to auditions, managing his early bookings, and shielding him from industry pressures that often derail young performers. Chavis has repeatedly credited his mother with recognizing his talent early and nurturing it responsibly rather than rushing him into overexposure.
Family photos posted on social media frequently show the brothers matching outfits, suggesting a tight, playful bond. That grounding likely explains why Chavis, despite fame arriving so young, comes across as remarkably level-headed in interviews. Strong family background support is often cited as the reason child stars avoid the pitfalls that plague others in the industry, and his story fits that pattern well.
Nationality, Ethnicity, and Religion
Chavis holds American nationality, born and raised entirely within the United States. His ethnicity reflects African American heritage, sometimes described in profiles as mixed ethnicity due to broader family ancestry. This background has directly shaped his activism, particularly his outspoken reflections following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
At just twelve years old, Chavis wrote a heartfelt letter to his mother describing his personal experiences with racism in America. That letter later circulated publicly, striking a chord with audiences far older than him. Regarding religion, Chavis keeps his personal beliefs private, and no detailed public statements confirm a specific faith tradition.
Many young actors choose this route, preferring to let their work speak louder than personal convictions. What remains clear is that his cultural identity, rooted in African American heritage, informs both his creative choices and his public voice as a social justice advocate, giving his activism authenticity that resonates with viewers nationwide.
Education and Personal Development
Balancing schoolwork with a demanding filming schedule pushes most young actors toward flexible learning setups, and Chavis followed that path too. Reports indicate he became a homeschooled actor around 2017, once his workload on set intensified. Tutoring on location allowed him to keep pace academically without sacrificing acting opportunities.
Outside formal schooling, Chavis pursued interests that rounded out his personal growth. He’s mentioned enjoying swimming, video games, and dancing during downtime ordinary teenage hobbies that kept him grounded despite celebrity status. More recently, he’s expanded into music production under the stage name L0, working alongside a producer to release original songs.
This creative branching suggests deliberate personal development, rather than simply chasing acting jobs indefinitely. It shows a young man testing multiple artistic outlets, much like many former child stars who eventually diversify into music, directing, or producing once their initial fame settles into a steadier career rhythm.
Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Physical growth charts for young actors change constantly, and Chavis is no exception. Earlier profiles placed his height around 4 feet 9 inches during his early This Is Us years, while more recent estimates, reflecting typical teenage growth spurts, suggest he now stands considerably taller, with some sources citing figures near 5 feet 8 inches.
Weight estimates hover loosely around 50 kg during his early teenage years, though exact current figures aren’t officially confirmed. His appearance has matured noticeably on screen, moving from the small, wide-eyed child seen in early This Is Us flashbacks to a taller, more defined young adult by the time later seasons aired. That visible transformation actually became part of the show’s emotional arc, since viewers watched him age in real time alongside his character.
Acting Career Journey
Chavis’s acting career didn’t start with a bang. It began quietly with a small role in 2015, playing Young Troy in an episode of Nickelodeon’s Bella and the Bulldogs. That brief appearance barely hinted at what came next, yet it opened the door to bigger auditions throughout the following year. Everything changed in 2016 when he booked a role that would define his early life: young Randall Pearson on NBC’s This Is Us.
Almost simultaneously, he guest-starred on The Thundermans, a show he genuinely loved watching, and later appeared in an episode of Supergirl. These smaller roles built momentum quickly, positioning him as a dependable television actor capable of holding his own alongside seasoned adults.
By mid-2017, producers promoted him to series regular, cementing his place in one of the decade’s most emotionally driven dramas. Looking back, this steady climb from bit parts to a starring role illustrates exactly how a rising young actor breaks through Hollywood’s crowded landscape without shortcuts.
Breakthrough Role in This Is Us
No discussion of Lonnie Chavis This Is Us would be complete without addressing why the role mattered so much. Playing young Randall Pearson actor, Chavis portrayed the childhood version of Sterling K. Brown’s adult character, a man adopted into a white family after being left at a firehouse as an infant.
This wasn’t a simple sitcom role. Randall’s storyline explored racial identity, abandonment, and belonging, heavy themes for any actor, let alone one barely ten years old. Chavis delivered scenes requiring genuine vulnerability, often matching the emotional intensity of veteran performers around him. Audiences and critics responded with real enthusiasm, praising his ability to convey complicated feelings without overacting.
That chemistry with Brown, along with co-stars Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore, helped the show earn an Emmy for outstanding drama. Chavis even won an MTV Award for Best Tearjerker Moment tied to a particularly gut-wrenching scene. For many viewers, his performance remains the emotional backbone of the series’ early seasons, proving a breakthrough role doesn’t require decades of experience just honest talent.
Movies and TV Shows (Filmography)
Chavis built an impressive Lonnie Chavis movies and TV shows résumé well beyond his signature NBC role. His feature film debut arrived through the Academy Award-winning short film Skin, directed by Guy Nattiv, exposing him early to serious, awards-caliber filmmaking. His work on White Famous, executive produced by Jamie Foxx, introduced him to improvisational comedy alongside Jay Pharoah.
Meanwhile, The Water Man, directed by David Oyelowo and co-starring Rosario Dawson, showcased his ability to anchor a full-length feature emotionally. He’s credited Oyelowo directly for sharpening his craft during that production. More recent listings mention a role in Lawmen: Bass Reeves on Paramount+, further proving his range extends into period drama, a genre quite different from the family-centric storytelling that first made him famous.
Activism and Social Impact
Chavis stands out among young Hollywood talent for treating activism as more than a publicity checkbox. In 2018, he partnered with the Ad Council on an anti-bullying campaign, sparked partly by his own experience facing online mockery about a gap in his teeth. Few teenagers carry that kind of public responsibility so consistently.
His now-famous response, posted to Instagram, challenged critics by asking whether braces could truly fix deeper problems: “Braces can fix my teeth, but can you fix your heart?” That phrase evolved into the #FixYourHeart campaign, a kindness movement encouraging accountability rather than cruelty online. He later modeled for the organization’s clothing line built around that same message.
Following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Chavis, then just twelve, publicly shared his letter describing racism he’d personally witnessed, adding his voice to a national reckoning far beyond typical celebrity commentary. This blend of online bullying awareness and racism awareness work has earned him recognition as a genuine social justice advocate, not merely an actor dabbling in causes for optics.
Awards and Career Achievements
Chavis’s trophy case reflects steady industry recognition rather than a single lucky nomination. His most notable win came in 2018, sharing the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series alongside his entire This Is Us cast.
Beyond trophies, industry publications regularly cite him among the most promising young performers of his generation. His ensemble performance work alongside Sterling K. Brown consistently draws praise in retrospective rankings of the show’s most powerful scenes. These accolades matter because they come from peers and critics, not just fan polls, lending real credibility to his outstanding performance reputation.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Estimating Lonnie Chavis net worth proves tricky since exact figures aren’t officially disclosed, partly because his finances were managed by his parents throughout his minor years. Various sources offer wildly different figures, ranging from modest six-figure estimates up toward one or two million dollars.
What’s clearer is where the money comes from. His primary earnings stem from acting fees across television and film, supplemented by guest appearances and brand-related work. Reports suggest he earned roughly $14,000 for two weeks of filming on Magic Camp, giving a small glimpse into per-project compensation. More recently, he’s diversified income through music, releasing tracks under the artist name L0.
This mirrors a pattern common among former child stars who eventually build secondary revenue streams once acting income alone feels limiting. While no verified public ledger confirms his exact fortune, his combination of acting, music, and brand visibility positions him for continued financial growth well into adulthood.
Personal Life and Relationships
Away from cameras, Chavis keeps things refreshingly ordinary. He hasn’t publicly confirmed any romantic relationship, and most personal life reporting describes him as focused primarily on school, family, and creative projects rather than dating.
His hobbies read like any typical teenager’s list: swimming, gaming, and dancing fill his downtime. He remains close with his three younger brothers, often appearing in matching outfits during family outings shared on social media. That visible closeness suggests fame hasn’t pulled him away from ordinary sibling bonds.
As he’s grown older, he’s also begun exploring music more seriously, treating it as both a creative outlet and a potential new career lane. Unlike many child stars who face public scrutiny over erratic behavior, Chavis has maintained a fairly low-drama public image, something his parents likely worked hard to protect during his formative years in the spotlight.
Interesting Facts and FAQs About Lonnie Chavis
What did Lonnie Johnson do in his early life?
Lonnie Johnson grew up in Mobile, Alabama, where his father taught him basic electronics at a young age. He loved tinkering with gadgets, earning the nickname “the Professor” from local kids. As a teenager, he built a go-kart from junkyard parts and later won first place at a state science fair with a compressed-air-powered robot.
How old is Matthew Craven?
Matt Craven, the Canadian character actor, was born on November 10, 1956, making him 69 years old as of 2026. He’s best known for roles in A Few Good Men, Crimson Tide, and NCIS. He is not related to Lonnie Chavis or Cooper Dodson.
How tall is Lonnie Chavis?
Lonnie Chavis stands at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.74 m) today. He was much shorter during his early This Is Us years, standing around 4 feet 9 inches as a child actor, but grew significantly as he entered his teenage years.
Does Lonnie Chavis have any siblings?
Yes, Lonnie Chavis has three younger brothers, commonly reported as Andrew, Tyler, and Ryan. He is the eldest child in his family. He has often shared photos with his brothers on social media, showing a close family bond.
What was Lonnie Chavis’ first role?
His first television appearance came in 2015, playing Young Troy in an episode of the Nickelodeon sitcom Bella and the Bulldogs. This small role came before his breakout casting on This Is Us the following year in 2016.
How old is Lonnie Chavis now?
Lonnie Chavis was born on November 23, 2007, making him 18 years old as of 2026. He was discovered by a talent agent at around age six and became famous by age nine on This Is Us.
Who is Lonnie Chavis?
Lonnie Chavis is an American actor and activist best known for playing young Randall Pearson on NBC’s This Is Us. Beyond acting, he’s recognized for launching the #FixYourHeart anti-bullying movement and speaking out on racism in America
