Caleb McLaughlin (born October 13, 2001, in Carmel, New York) is an American actor who rose to international prominence for his portrayal of Lucas Sinclair in the Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things (2016–2025). McLaughlin began his career on stage, earning early acclaim for his performance as Young Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King from 2012 to 2014. Following his stage success, he transitioned to television with guest appearances on series such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Unforgettable, Forever, Shades of Blue, and Blue Bloods, before landing his breakout role as Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things, which became one of Netflix’s most successful original series.

McLaughlin’s performance in Stranger Things brought him widespread recognition and several accolades. As part of the ensemble cast, he won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2017, and he later received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance by a Youth in 2018 for his work on the series. He also earned multiple nominations throughout his early career, including BET YoungStars Award nominations, Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award nominations for Favorite Male TV Star, and additional NAACP Image Award and Family Film Award nominations as his performance on the show matured.

Outside of television, McLaughlin steadily built a film career with appearances in High Flying Bird (2019), directed by Steven Soderbergh, and the critically noted drama Concrete Cowboy (2020), where he starred opposite Idris Elba in his first leading film role. He continued expanding his range with roles in Shooting Stars (2023), portraying Dru Joyce III in the basketball biopic about LeBron James’ early career, and in The Book of Clarence (2023), directed by Jeymes Samuel. McLaughlin also appeared in Lee Daniels’ supernatural thriller The Deliverance (2024), further establishing himself as a rising young actor transitioning from teen stardom into more mature roles.

In addition to live-action work, McLaughlin has taken on voice and streaming projects, including animated roles and the voice performance of Will Harris in the animated sports comedy GOAT. His recent career has been highlighted by the conclusion of Stranger Things with its fifth and final season in 2025, where his portrayal of Lucas Sinclair—particularly in the show’s emotionally intense later seasons—earned renewed critical praise and industry recognition, including additional NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

By early 2026, Caleb McLaughlin is widely regarded as one of the standout young actors to emerge from the streaming era, successfully transitioning from Broadway child performer to internationally recognized screen actor. With a growing résumé across television, film, and voice acting—and recognition from organizations such as the Screen Actors Guild and NAACP—McLaughlin continues to build a diverse career that spans blockbuster streaming series, independent cinema, and major studio productions.