Lucas Hedges’ acting career has rapidly led him to the reputation of a respectable actor. He has proved himself capable of achieving a variety of roles, most of which have been dramatic in nature. In each film, he has impressively presented characters with precision and integrity. More recently, he has taken on a greater range of work, from films to television to a play. Interestingly enough, many may recognize his face from a number of A24 movies.
Hedges’ career took off in “Moonrise Kingdom“ in which he played a minor supporting role. Starring alongside big names like Bruce Willis and Edward Norton, his potential for a career in film was evident. His role in “Labor Day“ showcased his talent further, despite his relatively young age. In 2014, Hedges took on a role for yet another Anderson film “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” This is not out of the ordinary for Anderson since it is widely known that he repeatedly works with the same actors.
The film that catapulted Hedges to fame was “Manchester By The Sea,” a disheartening drama focused on Patrick, a young grief-stricken boy under the care of his equally traumatized uncle. Starring alongside stars such as Michelle Williams and Casey Affleck, Hedges’ tearjerker performance delivered on emotional intensity. His performance earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for best young performer. Hedges has seemingly mastered dramatic, scorned characters throughout his career.
During Hedges’ career, he earned the reputation of an “A24 gem,” since he has starred in a number of films distributed by A24. His role in Greta Gerwig’s “Ladybird” as Danny O’Neill showcased his ability to depict the complicated reality of a young boy coming of age at the turn of the 21st century. In “Mid90s,” Hedges plays Ian, an abusive boy who lashes out due to his own unresolved issues. His nuanced portrayal of the troubled, older brother demonstrated his ability to undertake roles from opposite ends of the moral spectrum. In “Waves” (2019), Hedges plays Luke, an awkward high school teenager who falls in love with someone who has gone through a great deal of trauma.
Though the actor has proven his worth, he cannot escape the controversy that follows so-called “nepotism babies.” Hedges’ father is Peter Hedges, a well-known film director and writer. In fact, Hedges’ first minor role was in “Dan In Real Life,” which his father directed. People online, especially on Reddit, claim that Hedges owes his career to his father’s big name, making him a “nepotism baby.” Although it is obvious that Hedges is one of those nepo babies, he is definitely one we cannot help but love. His work truly shows what he is capable of.
Currently, he is starring in the West End adaptation of “Brokeback Mountain” as Ennis Del Mar, a rancher struggling to balance his quote-en-quote normal life with his gay relationship with Jack Twist. So far, the play has performed well, adoring fans have expressed their love for the adaptation via social media; however, the show has received mixed reviews from critics.
Through his many productions, Hedges has displayed his keen ability to play a range of roles. Fans and critics alike agree he is talented. Despite claims that he has innate advantages as a nepo baby, his craft speaks for itself: he is an artist. If you have not hopped on the Hedges’ train just yet, getting into some of his films is highly recommended.
