Jesse Plemons (born April 2, 1988) is a renowned American performer recognized for his adaptability and for embodying subtle, troubling, or quirky figures across cinema and television.
Below is a brief summary of essential details about Jesse Plemons:
| Full Name | Jesse Lon Plemons |
| Date of Birth | April 2, 1988 |
| Age (as of January 2026) | 37 years |
| Birthplace | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) |
| Spouse | Kirsten Dunst (wed July 2022–present) |
| Children | Two sons (born May 2018 and May 2021) |
| Net Worth (2025–2026 estimate) | About $12–$15 million |
Jesse Plemons Films and Television Series
Jesse Plemons initiated his acting journey as a child and has since crafted an impressive portfolio across film and television, working with leading directors and garnering acclaim for his skill. His transition from initial roles to more intricate characters exemplifies his career’s development. Significant films and TV series comprise:
- Varsity Blues (1999) – Tommy Harbour (initial role at age 11)
- All the Pretty Horses (2000) – Young John Grady Cole
- Friday Night Lights (2006–2011) – Landry Clarke (breakthrough television role)
- Paul (2011) – Jake
- The Master (2012) – Val Dodd
- Battleship (2012) – Jimmy “Ordy” Ord
- Breaking Bad (2012–2013) – Todd Alquist (legendary role)
- Black Mass (2015) – Kevin Weeks
- Bridge of Spies (2015) – Joe Murphy
- Fargo (Season 2, 2015) – Ed Blumquist (Emmy nomination)
- Other People (2016) – David Mulcahey (lead role)
- American Made (2017) – Sheriff Joe Downing
- Hostiles (2017) – Lieutenant Rudy Kidder
- The Post (2017) – Roger Clark
- Game Night (2018) – Gary Kingsbury
- Vice (2018) – Kurt
- The Irishman (2019) – Chuckie O’Brien
- El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) – Todd Alquist
- I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020) – Jake (lead role)
- Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) – Roy Mitchell
- Jungle Cruise (2021) – Prince Joachim
- The Power of the Dog (2021) – George Burbank (Academy Award nomination)
- Antlers (2021) – Sheriff Paul Meadows
- Windfall (2022) – CEO (lead role, also producer)
- Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) – Tom White
- Love & Death (2023) – Allan Gore (Emmy nomination)
- Civil War (2024) – Militiaman (uncredited cameo)
- Kinds of Kindness (2024) – Robert, Daniel, and Andrew (triple role; Cannes Best Actor winner)
- Bugonia (2025) – Teddy (lead role)
- Zero Day (2025) – Roger Carlson (Netflix miniseries)
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026) – Plutarch Heavensbee (forthcoming)
Plemons has also featured in episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Grey’s Anatomy, No Activity, and Drunk History, among others.
Biography
Jesse Lon Plemons was born on April 2, 1988, in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in the small community of Mart, Texas, about 21 miles east of Waco. He is the younger of two siblings to Jim Bob Plemons, a firefighter and amateur rodeo participant, and Lisa (née Cason) Plemons, a special education instructor. Raised in a tight-knit Texas town, Jesse participated in football during middle and junior high school, as well as at Mart High School, before pivoting to acting as he secured more roles.
In 2007, Plemons completed his education at the Texas Tech University Independent School District, a distance-learning arrangement that catered to his growing acting responsibilities in Los Angeles. He launched his career with a Coca-Cola advertisement at age 3, took on background work and small roles, and by age 8 was auditioning in Los Angeles with family support. During this foundational phase, he appeared in Varsity Blues (1999), All the Pretty Horses (2000), and made guest appearances on shows such as Walker, Texas Ranger and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
Plemons experienced his breakout at age 18 by joining NBC’s Friday Night Lights (2006–2011), filmed in Austin, Texas. He depicted Landry Clarke, best friend of Matt Saracen, evolving from comic relief in Season 1 to a more engaged member of the football squad in later seasons. Leveraging his high school football experience, he executed many of his own stunts and garnered acclaim for his authentic portrayal in the critically lauded series.
More
In 2012–2013, Plemons became part of the final season of AMC’s Breaking Bad as Todd Alquist, a courteous yet menacing meth dealer. His portrayal earned him the moniker “Meth Damon” due to his likeness to Matt Damon and widespread commendation. He reprised this role in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019).
Post-Breaking Bad, Plemons collaborated with eminent directors on significant films: Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master (2012), Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies (2015), Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman (2019) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog (2021), Charlie Kaufman’s I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020), and Yorgos Lanthimos’s Kinds of Kindness (2024). He received an Academy Award nomination for The Power of the Dog and won the Best Actor accolade at Cannes for Kinds of Kindness. On television, he secured Emmy nominations for Fargo (Season 2), Black Mirror (“USS Callister”), and Love & Death (2023).
By early 2026, Plemons is acknowledged as one of Hollywood’s most esteemed character actors. His reputation is founded on performances ranging from early breakthrough roles to praised collaborations with leading directors, and his specialty in portraying subtle, disquieting characters. His upcoming ventures, including The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026), reflect the ongoing progression of his career.
Spouse
Jesse Plemons has been united in marriage with actress Kirsten Dunst since July 2022. The pair met while co-starring in the second season of Fargo in 2015, began their romantic relationship in March 2016, and got engaged in January 2017. They share two sons: the first born in May 2018 and the second in May 2021. Both Plemons and Dunst received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor and Actress for their performances in The Power of the Dog (2021), making them one of the few married couples to earn this distinction in the same year.
They were officially wed in an intimate ceremony in July 2022. As of early 2026, Jesse and Kirsten remain married, residing together with their children, and occasionally appear jointly at events or interviews, keeping a relatively private family life centered around their kids and careers.
Weight Changes
Jesse Plemons has experienced notable weight fluctuations for roles throughout his career. In 2015, he intentionally gained around 45 pounds (20 kg) to portray Kevin Weeks in the mob film Black Mass
, imparting him a bulkier, more robust look for the role. In 2024, Plemons disclosed he had shed over 50 pounds (23 kg) through intermittent fasting and a nutritious diet.
He has candidly discussed the physical pressures of significant weight fluctuations for his craft and expressed some remorse for the substantial gain he experienced earlier in his career, acknowledging the impact it had on his health. Plemons has refuted claims of using medications such as Ozempic for his recent weight reduction, highlighting instead his lifestyle modifications. By early 2026, he sustains a fitter physique and continues to emphasize health while juggling a demanding acting profession.
Family
Jesse Plemons was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in the quaint town of Mart, Texas. He is the younger of two offspring born to Jim Bob Plemons, a firefighter and hobbyist rodeo participant, and Lisa (née Cason) Plemons, a special education instructor. Raised in a working-class Texan household, Jesse participated in football during school before shifting his focus to acting.
Jesse has been wed to actress Kirsten Dunst since July 2022. They began their romantic involvement in 2016 after encountering each other on Fargo and became engaged in 2017. The pair has two sons:
- First son (born May 2018)
- Second son (born May 2021)
Jesse and Kirsten maintain a largely private family life, occasionally sharing glimpses through interviews and public appearances. As of early 2026, they reside with their two sons, balancing their professional obligations with family time. Jesse has no additional children from former relationships.
Net Worth
As of early 2026, Jesse Plemons’s net worth is estimated to be around $12–$15 million. His fortune stems chiefly from a prosperous acting career that encompasses film, television, and streaming ventures. Principal revenue sources include:
- Significant film parts in notable productions like The Power of the Dog (2021), Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), Kinds of Kindness (2024), and Bugonia (2025), which provided substantial earnings and accolade-related enhancements.
- Television appearances, notably in Friday Night Lights, Breaking Bad, Fargo, Black Mirror, Love & Death, and Zero Day (2025), where recurring and guest roles contribute consistent income.
- Streaming and major projects on platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and others that frequently offer premium compensation for lead and supportive roles.
- Producing credits, such as on Windfall (2022), which increase his income.
Plemons has been discerning in his selection of roles, often collaborating with esteemed directors, which has elevated his market value in Hollywood. He leads a relatively unpretentious lifestyle compared to some celebrities, with no substantial financial issues or significant debts reported. His net worth continues to rise with ongoing projects, residuals from successful past works like Breaking Bad, and his growing reputation as a highly regarded character actor as of early 2026.
