Author & columnist, featured on HBO, NPR, and in The New York Times
Ezra Miller's acting journey is a whirlwind tour of indie darlings and blockbuster behemoths. He burst onto the scene in 2008 with the dark indie "Afterschool" and the heartwarming "City Island," before stealing hearts as the troubled Kevin in 2011's "We Need to Talk About Kevin." This critical breakthrough solidified his indie cred, followed by the charming wallflower Patrick in 2012's "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."
Venturing into blockbuster territory, Miller landed the role of Credence Barebone in the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise (2016-2022), injecting quirky charm into the troubled young wizard. He finally stepped into the center ring as the Scarlet Speedster in 2022's "The Flash," hoping to outrun past controversies that included arrests and allegations.
Awards and accolades followed Miller's early career, including the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor ("We Need to Talk About Kevin") and the BAFTA Rising Star Award. He also snagged Teen Choice Awards for his work in "Fantastic Beasts." It's one of the reasons he's a top pick in our gay actors roundup.
However, Miller's career hasn't been without hurdles. The release of "The Flash" was shadowed by public controversies, casting a cloud over his accomplishments.
Check out his wins, his flops, and everything in between, including some personal stories and quirky trivia that'll make you feel like you know him just a little bit better. Here's what we'll cover in this article:
Imagine a canvas splashed with the hues of androgyny and rebellion. That's Ezra, standing tall at 5'9" with a lean build, hair that changes colors faster than a chameleon (currently sporting platinum blonde!), and piercing blue eyes that could melt glaciers. He's a captivating visual puzzle, constantly evolving and defying easy categorization.
When it comes to his personal life, Ezra keeps his cards close to his chest. He hasn't publicly confirmed a specific relationship status, preferring to leave the world guessing. We do know he identifies as queer and uses they/them pronouns, adding another layer of intrigue to his enigmatic persona.
Ezra's journey with self-expression has been a mosaic, not a monolith. While he hasn't used specific coming-out terminology, he has spoken openly about LGBTQ+ issues and embraced the community with open arms. Interviews and social media offer glimpses into his fluid and evolving relationship with labels, leaving the public to interpret his story on their own terms.
See our complete list of gay actors including Matt Bomer, Andrew Scott, & dozens more!
Forget squeaking lines on Hannah Montana - Ezra Miller's origin story is more opera house than Hollywood hustle. Trained to combat a speech stutter with soaring vocals and dramatic gestures, young Ezra was belting arias before he could tie his shoelaces (probably in fabulous purple boots). This early stage swagger might explain why even a whisper from him carries the weight of a Shakespearean soliloquy and a sideways glance could launch a thousand fan theories.
But picture this: not a cherub in velvet, but a purple-haired comic book devourer who dreamt of a different kind of spotlight - the silver screen. This electric spirit led him to an unexpected mentor - Antonio Campos, indie film director extraordinaire (and Ezra's future "Afterschool" boss). Forget casting agencies, this was a theater workshop discovery, proving you can find talent in unexpected places, like, say, belting out Puccini in a basement somewhere.
"Afterschool" wasn't your typical Disney Channel flick. We're talking raw, gritty, and starring a teenager who accidentally films a drug-fueled tragedy. Ezra played the troubled student with chilling realism, nailing both the innocent confusion and the unnerving darkness of adolescence. Critics swooned, audiences gasped, and a star was born. But like any good superhero origin story, success wasn't a one-click download. Ezra spent his early days honing his craft on smaller roles, dodging the Hollywood machine like Neo in the Matrix (but with better hair, obviously).
The real turning point? 2011's "We Need to Talk About Kevin," a film as emotionally devastating as it is masterfully made. Playing the titular Kevin, a boy with a darkness that could make Darth Vader blush, Ezra delivered a performance that sent shivers down spines and earned him a Gotham Independent Film Award (think indie Oscars, but cooler). Suddenly, Hollywood couldn't ignore the chameleon on screen.
Next move? Steal hearts as Patrick in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." Trading in shadows for awkward vulnerability, Ezra captured the teenage rollercoaster of self-discovery with such empathy and humor that everyone from critics to your mom swooned. This one-two punch of critical acclaim and mainstream love cemented Ezra Miller as a force to be reckoned with, proving he could navigate both indie darlings and crowd-pleasers with effortless grace (and probably some really good hair dye).
So, was it the operatic training, the raw debut, or the emotional rollercoaster of "Kevin" and "Wallflower"? It's hard to pinpoint one big break. Ezra Miller's rise to fame is a story of talent, hard work, and a refusal to be neatly labeled. He's an enigmatic, ever-evolving artist who thrives on defying expectations, both on and off-screen (which we'll get to later, trust me, it's a doozy).
Deciding Ezra Miller's "best work" is like judging a chili cook-off – some crave fiery heat, others prefer a slow burn, and a few just want to watch the world (and Ezra's hair) explode. Fear not, dear reader, for we're not just serving bland beans – we're diving into the full smorgasbord of Ezra's acting prowess, from indie darlings to blockbuster bonanzas. Buckle up, it's gonna be a spicy one, as are most of our famous gay male celebrity interviews.
Let's rewind to the raw gems that launched Ezra's career. Remember "Afterschool," the gritty film where he stumbled into darkness as a teenager filming a tragedy? It was a masterclass in simmering tension, earning Ezra critical acclaim for his chillingly realistic portrayal. Then came "We Need to Talk About Kevin," a film so emotionally devastating it should come with a therapist hotline. Ezra's performance as the titular Kevin sent shivers down spines and garnered awards, cementing his status as an acting force to be reckoned with.
For those craving popcorn and CGI extravaganzas, we have the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise. As Credence Barebone, Ezra brought his signature intensity and vulnerability to the magical world, weaving spells and winning hearts. Then there's the long-awaited superhero saga, "The Flash."
Ezra dons the scarlet lightning and runs faster than Usain Bolt on a Red Bull IV drip, delivering an electric performance that (despite the film's controversies) had critics praising his charisma and action chops. But did it set the world on fire? Well, let's just say opinions were like a lightning storm – both dazzling and divisive.
Metacritic, the film's judge jury and executioner, bestowed a respectable 54 score, with some critics raving about Ezra's energy and the film's visual spectacle. Others, however, felt the storytelling lagged behind the special effects, leaving them slightly bewildered (much like the Flash himself dodging those bullets). The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes?
A similar mixed bag, with a 59% rating reflecting a film that entertained some, polarized others, and left everyone a little breathless from the sheer whirlwind of it all.
Hold on, we haven't even reached the ice cream sundae of Ezra's talent! Remember the awkward charm of Patrick in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"? Ezra captured the teenage rollercoaster of self-discovery with such humor and empathy that we all wanted to adopt him as our cooler older brother. Or how about the chilling intensity of John in "Miss Meadows"? Ezra proved he could be as unsettling as he was endearing, reminding us that talent sometimes thrives in the darkest corners.
Picking a single "best" is like choosing between pizza and ice cream (impossible, right?). Ezra Miller's best work is a mosaic of talent, versatility, and fearless genre-hopping. He can make us laugh, cry, gasp in awe, and maybe even question our existential dread, all within the span of a single film. So, instead of crowning a champion, let's raise a toast to the entire acting smorgasbord that is Ezra Miller. After all, who needs one flavor when you can have the whole rainbow (especially when it comes in shades of electric blue and fuchsia)?
Current: Upcoming projects include "The Flash 2" and the miniseries "Madame X."Awards And Nominations
Ezra Miller, the electrifying actor known for his chameleon-like performances and bold artistic expression, has also attracted significant controversy throughout his career. Here are five instances where his statements or actions ignited public debate, offering a nuanced look at the complexities of his persona:
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