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

Jesse Plemons Biography

Jesse Plemons started his TV career at just three years old, beginning with commercials. In 2006, Plemons landed a key role in the teen series "Friday Night Lights," which proved crucial for his later breakthrough.

Plemons gained fame after portraying the sociopath Todd Alquist in the fifth season of "Breaking Bad." Over the next decade, he collaborated with Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, earned Emmy and Oscar nominations, and found personal happiness too—working on "Fargo's" second season brought him together with actress Kirsten Dunst.

By 2024, Jesse Plemons had clearly established himself as a major 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. They grew up in the tiny town of Mart, home to fewer than two thousand people.

Jesse's father, Jim Bob, was a cowboy, just like all his ancestors. So from an early age, Jesse learned to ride horses and throw lassos, and when it came to TV shows, he was most drawn to Westerns.

I started watching 'Lonesome Dove' – a television series about cowboys – even before I could talk. I didn't understand much of it, but as a kid, I found it fascinating.

Plemons began acting in early childhood. At just 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 was incredibly supportive, with his parents happily driving 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.' Unfortunately, Plemons' entire storyline ended up on the cutting room floor. As Jesse grew up, many viewers started confusing him with Matt Damon, and after his "Breaking Bad" role, fans playfully dubbed 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 drama series following 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 led to Plemons suffering a serious chin injury after getting hit by his co-star Taylor Kitsch, which required 11 stitches.

Plemons stayed with the series until it wrapped in 2011, balancing those shoots with guest roles in films like "Observe and Report" (2009), "Shrink" (2010), and "Paul" (2011). During this period, he managed to finish high school remotely through 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 served as Walter White's accomplice and later Jesse Pinkman's captor, appeared at the start of season five and stayed through the show's 2013 finale.

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

Career Rise

In 2015, Plemons landed roles in Steven Spielberg's Cold War thriller "Bridge of Spies" and director Scott Cooper's crime drama "Black Mass" alongside Johnny Depp. For his role as the protagonist's friend, he packed on over 40 pounds. 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'

Later in 2015, Plemons joined the second season of "Fargo," playing 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, Plemons scored roles in the thriller "American Made" with Tom Cruise, Scott Cooper's western "Hostiles," and another Spielberg film, "The Post." In "The Post," Jesse shared scenes with powerhouses Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.

Plemons also starred in the first episode of the fourth season of "Black Mirror." He played 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 snagged a supporting role in the comedy "Game Night," starring alongside Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams. The following year, Jesse got the chance to work with another legendary director when Martin Scorsese cast him in "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, Plemons took on the surreal drama "I'm Thinking of Ending Things." He scored the lead male role, playing the boyfriend of a woman planning to dump him. The film earned the actor a Gotham Independent Film Award nomination and critical acclaim. "I first read the script at one in the morning – it's an experience I'll never forget. For me, it was amazing," Plemons said.

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'

2021 saw Plemons take on a range of diverse projects. He appeared in Scott Cooper's horror film "Antlers" and Disney's adventure blockbuster "Jungle Cruise." In the acclaimed drama "The Power of the Dog," Jesse reunited with his "Fargo" co-star Kirsten Dunst alongside Benedict Cumberbatch. He played the brother of a rancher who strongly disapproved of his sibling's marriage to a widow with a grown son. The performance earned Plemons both BAFTA and Oscar nominations.

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

In 2022, Plemons starred in the thriller "Windfall," marking his debut as a producer.

Jesse Plemons' Personal Life

Plemons kept his romantic life private until he met Kirsten Dunst on the set of "Fargo" in 2015. Plemons later revealed he'd fallen for her "from a distance" before they even met, with their first encounter confirming his feelings. "I looked at her and instantly, without even exchanging a few words, saw the beautiful, vulnerable, sweet, and kind person that she is," Jesse shared.

The actors spent late nights rehearsing their scenes together. However, romance wasn't possible at the time since Dunst was dating Garrett Hedlund. But feelings eventually won out: a few months later, Dunst ended her relationship and began secretly dating Plemons.

Dunst didn't go public with their relationship until 2017, when she announced both their engagement and her first pregnancy. Their son, Ennis Howard, was born in May 2018. Three years later, in June 2021, they welcomed their second son, James Robert.

Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst on a walk with the kids

In July 2022, Plemons and Dunst finally tied the knot in a picturesque Jamaican ceremony. The couple explained that busy filming schedules, COVID-19, and pregnancies had repeatedly delayed their wedding plans.

Jesse Plemons Now

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

Jesse Plemons in the series 'Love and Death'

Plemons played FBI Agent Tom White, tasked with investigating crimes in Osage County. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim. In January 2024, "Killers of the Flower Moon" earned Oscar nominations in 10 categories.

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

He's also set to star in Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos' "Kinds of Kindness."

Interesting Facts

Jesse Plemons descends from Stephen F. Austin, one of the key political figures who founded Texas.
Plemons opposes social media and does not have an account on any popular platforms.
He was offered the role of Pennywise in "It" but turned down playing the maniacal clown. Ultimately, Bill Skarsgård took the part.
Plemons draws inspiration from Philip Seymour Hoffman's work, especially his performance in "The Talented Mr. Ripley."
In his spare time, Plemons pursues music. During "Friday Night Lights" filming, he'd throw big music parties with his castmates. In 2012, Plemons and friends formed indie band "Cowboy and Indian," which lasted until 2014.

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