Jesse Plemons bio, wife, net worth, relationships, age, children 2025

Jesse Plemons Biography

Jesse Plemons began appearing on TV at the age of three, starting with commercials. In 2006, Plemons played a central character in the teen series "Friday Night Lights," which became an important step for his subsequent breakthrough.

Plemons gained fame after portraying the sociopath Todd Alquist in the fifth season of "Breaking Bad." Over the next decade, he worked with Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, received Emmy and Oscar nominations, and also found personal happiness—his collaboration on the second season of "Fargo" brought him closer to actress Kirsten Dunst.

By 2024, Jesse Plemons had undoubtedly become a prominent Hollywood star. He worked again with Martin Scorsese in the movie "Killers of the Flower Moon," which garnered 10 Oscar nominations.

Early Years

Jesse Plemons was born on April 2, 1988, in Dallas, Texas. He grew up with an older sister named Jill. Their childhood was spent in the very small town of Mart, with less than two thousand residents.

Jesse's father, Jim Bob, was a cowboy, as were all his ancestors. Therefore, from an early age, Jesse learned horseback riding and lasso throwing, and among all types of television shows, he was most drawn to Westerns.

I started watching 'Lonesome Dove' – a television series about cowboys – even before I could talk. Although I didn’t understand much, as a child, I found it very interesting.

Plemons began acting in early childhood. For instance, at three and a half, he appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial. By the age of eight, he was already performing as an extra in feature films. His family supported Jesse, with his parents willingly taking him to auditions in Los Angeles.

Young Jesse Plemons on the set of the TV series 'Streets of Laredo'

In 1999, he had a brief appearance in 'Varsity Blues.' A year later, Jesse played a younger version of Matt Damon's character in the Western 'All the Pretty Horses.' However, in the editing process, Plemons' entire storyline was ruthlessly cut. Interestingly, as Jesse grew up, many viewers often confused him with Matt Damon, and after starring in 'Breaking Bad,' fans humorously nicknamed him "Meth Damon."

Over the next six years, the actor expanded his filmography with guest appearances in TV shows such as 'Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,' 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' 'Judging Amy,' 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' and others. In 2002, Jesse made an appearance in the family sports comedy 'Like Mike.'

First Breakthrough

Jesse Plemons landed his first noticeable role in 2006. He joined the cast of "Friday Night Lights," a series based on the story of a Texas high school football team. In the first season, his character provided the comedic element of the plot.

By the second season, his character made it onto the team, and the actor asked the director to let him perform all the stunts himself. This resulted in Plemons sustaining a serious chin injury from a hit by his co-star, Taylor Kitsch, requiring 11 stitches.

Plemons continued to act in the series until it ended in 2011, juggling these shoots with guest roles in movies such as "Observe and Report" (2009), "Shrink" (2010), and "Paul" (2011). During this time, he managed to graduate remotely from high school at Texas Tech University, earning his diploma in 2007.

2012 was a breakthrough year for the young actor. He reunited with the "Friday Night Lights" team – actor Taylor Kitsch and director Peter Berg – on the set of the action film "Battleship," which also starred Rihanna and Liam Neeson.

Additionally, during this period, he joined the cast of the iconic series "Breaking Bad." His character Todd Alquist who was an accomplice to Walter White and later jailer to Jesse Pinkman appeared at the beginning of the fifth season and remained until the show's finale in 2013.

In 2014, Plemons was considered for a role in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." He was up to play a stormtrooper named Finn. However, the part ultimately went to John Boyega.

Career Rise

In 2015, the actor was fortunate to play a role in Steven Spielberg's action movie "Bridge of Spies" and also to appear in director Scott Cooper's mafia drama "Black Mass" alongside Johnny Depp. For the role of the protagonist's friend, the actor gained over 20 kilograms. That same year, Plemons starred in the drama "The Program," which focused on the story of cyclist Lance Armstrong.

Jesse Plemons in the movie 'The Program'

At the end of 2015, the actor appeared in the second season of "Fargo," where he played the role of Ed Blumquist, the husband of Kirsten Dunst's character. In the plot, the couple tried to cover up the murder of a local crime lord's heir. For this role, Plemons received an Emmy nomination.

In 2017, the actor landed roles in the thriller "American Made" with Tom Cruise, in Scott Cooper's western "Hostiles," and another Spielberg film, "The Post." On the set of the latter, Jesse worked with stars like Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.

Plemons also starred in the first episode of the fourth season of "Black Mirror." He played the role of a sadistic and manipulative spaceship captain capable of extreme cruelty. For this character, the actor was once again honored with an Emmy nomination. "My character is not a good person, but there's a reason why he's like that, and that's exactly what I tried to understand," Plemons said.

Jesse Plemons in the series 'Black Mirror'

In 2018, he got a supporting role in the comedy "Game Night," where he starred alongside Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams. The following year, Jesse was lucky to work with another outstanding director – Martin Scorsese invited him to the film "The Irishman." Additionally, he returned to the role of Todd Alquist in the feature film "El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie," which explored the fate of Jesse Pinkman after the original series' fifth season.

In 2020, the actor's career was marked by the surreal drama "I'm Thinking of Ending Things." He landed the main male role, playing the boyfriend of a woman who wanted to break up with him. The film earned the actor a Gotham Independent Film Award nomination and critical acclaim. "I first read the script at one o'clock in the morning – it's an experience I'll never forget. For me, it was amazing," Plemons admitted.

Jesse Plemons in the movie 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things'

Jesse also starred in the Oscar-winning biographical drama "Judas and the Black Messiah." He played FBI agent Roy Mitchell, who recruited a criminal to infiltrate a local radical organization. "Roy really had a chance to be on the right side of history—at least in our version—he just couldn't find the strength to take the difficult path," the actor said about his character.

Jesse Plemons in the movie 'Judas and the Black Messiah'

In 2021, Plemons' filmography expanded with diverse projects. He starred in Scott Cooper's horror film "Antlers" and the adventure movie "Jungle Cruise." In the drama "The Power of the Dog," Jesse starred alongside his "Fargo" co-star Kirsten Dunst and Benedict Cumberbatch. He played the brother of a cowboy landowner who disapproved of his marriage to a woman with an adult son. For his role, Plemons was nominated for a BAFTA and an Oscar.

Jesse Plemons in the movie 'The Power of the Dog'

In 2022, the actor played in the thriller "Windfall," for which he also served as a producer for the first time.

Jesse Plemons' Personal Life

For a long time, nothing was known about the actor's romantic life until he met Kirsten Dunst on the set of "Fargo" in 2015. Plemons later admitted that he had fallen for her "from a distance" even before they met, and their first encounter confirmed his feelings. "I looked at her and instantly, without even exchanging a couple of words, saw the beautiful, vulnerable, sweet, and kind creature that she is," Jesse noted.

The actors spent late nights rehearsing their scenes together. However, at that time, there could be no romance between them since Dunst was dating Garrett Hedlund. Nevertheless, feelings eventually prevailed: a few months later, the actress ended her relationship and began a secret romance with Plemons.

Only in 2017 did Dunst reveal her relationship with Jesse, also announcing their engagement and expecting their first child. Their son, Ennis Howard, was born in May 2018. Then, three years later, in June 2021, the family welcomed another boy, named James Robert.

Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst on a walk with the kids

In July 2022, Plemons and Dunst tied the knot, choosing a picturesque location in Jamaica for their celebration. The actors explained that their plans were initially disrupted by busy filming schedules, then the coronavirus, and pregnancies.

Jesse Plemons Now

In April 2023, the miniseries "Love and Death" was released. In addition to Plemons, starring roles in the project were played by Elizabeth Olsen and Lily Rabe. A month later, the world premiere of Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" took place. Jesse starred there alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone.

Jesse Plemons in the series 'Love and Death'

The actor took on the role of FBI Agent Tom White, who tried to investigate crimes in Osage County. The film's premiere took place at the Cannes Film Festival and received critical acclaim. In January 2024, it became known that "Killers of the Flower Moon" was contending for an Oscar in 10 categories.

Jesse Plemons in the movie 'Killers of the Flower Moon'

Additionally, he agreed to star in a film by Greek independent director Yorgos Lanthimos called "Kinds of Kindness".

Interesting Facts

Jesse Plemons is descended from one of the key figures in the history of Texas' founding, politician Stephen F. Austin.
Plemons opposes social media and does not have an account on any popular platforms.
He was offered the role of Pennywise in the movie "It," but he declined to play the maniacal clown. Ultimately, Bill Skarsgård took the part.
Plemons is inspired by the work of Philip Seymour Hoffman, particularly his role in "The Talented Mr. Ripley."
In his free time, Plemons is involved in music. While filming "Friday Night Lights," he used to host large music parties with his colleagues. In 2012, Plemons and some friends formed the indie band "Cowboy and Indian," playing with them until their split in 2014.

Nyle Doherty Content writer