Alden Caleb Ehrenreich is an American actor who made his debut in Francis Ford Coppola's drama "Tetro," and later appeared in the director's subsequent film "Twixt." Audiences also recognize Alden for his roles in the romantic drama "Beautiful Creatures" by Richard LaGravenese, Woody Allen's dramatic film "Blue Jasmine," and the Coen Brothers' comedy "Hail, Caesar!".
Alden Ehrenreich
However, the actor gained true fame after the premiere of the space blockbuster "Solo: A Star Wars Story" directed by Ron Howard in 2018. Ehrenreich "stepped into the shoes" of Harrison Ford, playing the iconic space smuggler Han Solo in his youth.
Childhood
The future actor was born on November 22, 1989, in Los Angeles. He is the only child of Sari Newman, an interior designer, and Mark Ehrenreich, an accountant. After their divorce, the boy's stepfather became dentist Harry Aronowitz. Alden's ancestors were Jewish emigrants from Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia, and the Ehrenreich family embraced the ideas of Reconstructionist Judaism, whose followers see this religion as the foundation for a distinct civilization.
Alden Ehrenreich in childhood
Even in kindergarten, educators noticed the boy's ability to express his thoughts effectively and eloquently in public. They recommended that his parents enroll him in a school with a linguistic focus, but they were in love with cinema – under their influence, little Alden developed a love for movies and became interested in acting while in elementary school.
I became an actor because I was always a big fan of movies. When I was just a little kid, my parents would show me Marx Brothers films and all sorts of westerns. That's where it all started.
Initially, the boy attended Palisades School in the coastal area of Los Angeles, and later he studied at the Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica, which has many Hollywood actors among its alumni, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler, and Kate Hudson. Alden later enrolled in the acting program at New York University but did not graduate, dropping out of school.
Alden Ehrenreich in his youth
Acting Career
Steven Spielberg first discovered Alden Ehrenreich at a friend's bar mitzvah ceremony where they showed their humorous short film. Alden played the role of a "skinny punk" trying to stop a wedding. The director liked the young man's acting and helped him get on TV: first in 2005, Alden got a role in the fantasy series "Supernatural," and then in 2006, he appeared in the police drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
Alden Ehrenreich in 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'
Alden made his big-screen debut in 2009 in the drama "Tetro," where he played Bennie, the younger brother of the main character – a writer named Angelo (Vincent Gallo). At the audition, director Francis Ford Coppola asked Alden to read a passage from J.D. Salinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye."
Alden Ehrenreich and Vincent Gallo in 'Tetro'
During that time, along with actress Zoë Worth, he co-founded "The Collectin," a New York society that brought filmmakers together for collaboration, joint seminars, and the exchange of ideas.
Alden Ehrenreich on How He Got His Unusual Name and His First Kiss
In 2010, Ehrenreich starred in another Coppola film, the thriller "Twixt," based on Edgar Allan Poe's stories. The main roles featured Val Kilmer and Elle Fanning.
Alden Ehrenreich in 'Twixt'
He also worked with Natalie Portman on the "Miss Dior Cherie" perfume commercial, brilliantly directed by Sofia Coppola.
Alden Ehrenreich and Natalie Portman in the 'Miss Dior Cherie' perfume commercial
In 2013, he landed his first leading role in the romantic fantasy "Beautiful Creatures," based on the novels by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Alden's character Ethan falls in love with a beautiful spellcaster named Lena (actress Alice Englert) and tries to uncover why she has been haunting his dreams and what connects them. For this role, Ehrenreich received Teen Choice Awards nominations in the categories "Choice Movie: Romance" and "Choice Movie: Liplock" (with Englert).
Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert in 'Beautiful Creatures'
Around the same time, he joined the casts of the British-American psychological thriller "Stoker," the documentary "Teenage," and the dramatic short film "Maple Leaves."
Woody Allen, Cate Blanchett, and Alden Ehrenreich on the set of 'Blue Jasmine'
Furthermore, in 2013, he appeared in Woody Allen's dramatic film "Blue Jasmine," about the life of a neurotic woman named Jeannette (Cate Blanchett), where Ehrenreich played her stepson. Alongside Blanchett, his co-stars on set included Sally Hawkins, Alec Baldwin, and Bobby Cannavale.
Alden Ehrenreich in 'Hail, Caesar!'
Many viewers remember the young actor from his 2016 role as a Hollywood hunk in the Coen Brothers' comedy film about 1950s cinema, "Hail, Caesar!" In interviews, the actor emphasized that during the shoot, which also starred George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, and Scarlett Johansson, he gained invaluable experience and unforgettable impressions.
His character, Hobie Doyle, is a handsome but untalented actor who always played in westerns and suddenly lands a role in a melodrama. The scenes featuring Ehrenreich were particularly entertaining to the audience.
Some films propagate ideas that don't help people in life. They're dedicated to things that are momentary and foolish. For me, it's important to know that I'm part of something meaningful.
That same year, fans could see him as driver Frank Forbes in Warren Beatty's romantic comedy-drama "Rules Don't Apply." Alden's character falls in love with aspiring actress Marla Mabrey (played by Lily Collins), which is forbidden by her contract with her employer, Howard Hughes (Warren Beatty).
Alden Ehrenreich and Lily Collins in 'Rules Don't Apply'
In 2017, the drama "The Yellow Birds," based on the novel by Iraq War veteran Kevin Powers, premiered at the Sundance Festival. Ehrenreich played a young soldier named Brandon Bartle, who, upon returning from war, goes to the mother (Jennifer Aniston) of his deceased friend (Tye Sheridan) trying to help her cope with the tragedy.
Alden Ehrenreich in 'The Yellow Birds'
In 2018, Ehrenreich starred in the space western "Solo: A Star Wars Story," which explores the youth and beginnings of the main character from George Lucas's original trilogy.
Alden was cast from a massive casting call involving about 2,500 contenders for the role. Ehrenreich auditioned first, and although "Kingsman" star Taron Egerton and "Baby Driver" actor Ansel Elgort later participated, the film's creators ultimately chose this charismatic young man. The casting directors were struck not only by Ehrenreich's performance but also by his resemblance to the "original" Han Solo played by Harrison Ford.
Interview Alden Ehrenreich SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
However, during filming, Lucasfilm was dissatisfied with Ehrenreich's performance. The young man was coached by acting coach Maggie Kiley, who had previously assisted Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill on the set of "21 Jump Street."
Alden Ehrenreich landed a role in 'Star Wars'
In the film, viewers saw Solo's loyal friend, the navigator Chewbacca (actor Joonas Suotamo), and their encounter with the card sharp from a faraway galaxy, Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover). The picture became the second film in the "Star Wars" anthology after "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."
Despite outperforming "Deadpool" at the box office, "Han Solo" failed to meet Disney's expectations, grossing just over $270 million on a $250 million budget – thus, with less successful marketing, the film didn't break even in theaters.
Ehrenreich's next notable role was as John the Savage in the series based on Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," released on Peacock in the summer of 2020. However, after just one season, the project was canceled without explanation.
Alden Ehrenreich in the series 'Brave New World'
Alden Ehrenreich's Personal Life
The actor is not married. While studying in New York, he dated Zoey Worth, but gradually their relationship faded, and they parted ways in 2011.
Alden Ehrenreich with Zoey Worth
After returning to Los Angeles, Alden was busy with minor roles in TV series but maintained a friendship with Zoey. Later, he had other short-lived romances.
Once his career began to take off, Ehrenreich met the actress and producer Kelsey McNamee. Rumors suggested their friendship turned into a romantic relationship in 2016. However, neither of them has ever confirmed their relationship.
Alden Ehrenreich and Kelsey McNamee
Alden Ehrenreich Now
In 2023, Alden appeared on screen in several projects. He starred in the horror movie based on true events "Cocaine Bear," Christopher Nolan's historical drama "Oppenheimer" as Lewis Strauss, the assistant to Robert Oppenheimer's adversary, and the erotic thriller "Fair Play," where Ehrenreich played the lead role alongside Phoebe Dynevor.
Alden Ehrenreich in 'Oppenheimer'
He also landed a role in the series "Ironheart" set in the Marvel Universe. Reports indicate that his character is named Joe McGillicuddy and doesn't have a comic book counterpart. The series' plot revolves around the story of a talented inventor named Riri who constructs a suit of high-tech armor similar to Iron Man's.
Oppenheimer Star Alden Ehrenreich On His Role and MCU's Ironheart
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