Jake Connelly
American actor (born 2012)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jake Connelly (born March 5, 2012) is an American actor.[1] He is known for his role as Derek Turnbow in the fifth and final season of the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things.[2]
Jake Connelly | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 5, 2012 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2022–present |
| Known for | Stranger Things |
Early life
Jake Connelly was born in 2012.[1] He was raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois.[3] As of 2025[update], he attends middle school in the Chicago area.[2] Connelly plays American football on his school team as a right tackle on the offensive line and on the inside defense.[2] He is a fan of the Chicago Bears .[2]
Prior to being cast in Stranger Things, Connelly was a fan of series,[4] having caught up on the show with his family when the fourth season was released.[5]
Career
Connelly began acting several years before his television debut.[2] His first acting roles were in commercials for Feldco Windows directed by a family friend.[2] His only credit prior to Stranger Things was a short film titled Between the Silence.[6][7]
In July 2024, Connelly was cast in the fifth season of Stranger Things.[8][9] He received the call confirming he had won the role while sheltering in his basement during a tornado warning.[2] To keep his casting a secret, he told his schoolmates that he was filming a documentary about mayonnaise.[2]
Connelly portrayed Derek Turnbow.[10] The character is introduced as a bully who torments Holly Wheeler, but later becomes an ally to the protagonists.[6][11]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes/Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Stranger Things | Derek Turnbow | Also starring (season 5); 7 episodes[12] |
Short film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Between the Silence | Jakub | [7] |