All About Noah Schnapp

Noah Schnapp is an American actor best known for playing Will Byers in Netflix's hit sci-fi series Stranger Things (2016–2025). Here's a quick snapshot:

From voicing Charlie Brown at age 11 to earning $7 million for the final season of Stranger Things, Noah Schnapp has had one of the most remarkable rises in modern entertainment.

But he's more than just an actor. He's a business student, a brand founder, and someone who has been refreshingly open about his identity and growth. When he came out as gay in January 2023, he quipped in his TikTok caption: "I guess I'm more similar to Will than I thought" — a nod to his character Will Byers, whose own sexuality was confirmed in the show.

What makes Schnapp stand out isn't just his talent on screen. It's how he has handled growing up entirely in public — navigating fame, identity, controversy, and entrepreneurship all at once.

Noah schnapp terms to know:

Born on October 3, 2004, in the bustling heart of New York City, noah schnapp was raised in the suburban community of Scarsdale. His family background is a rich tapestry of North American culture; his parents, Mitchell and Karine Schnapp, are originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This heritage grants Noah dual Canadian-American citizenship, a fact he often mentions with pride.

One of the most defining aspects of his early life is his relationship with his family, particularly his twin sister. Noah Schnapp's twin sister, Chloe, is four minutes younger than him. While Noah pursued the spotlight, Chloe has remained a steady support system, often appearing in his social media posts and YouTube videos.

The Schnapp family is Jewish, and Noah celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in Israel, a significant milestone that connects him deeply to his faith and heritage. His interest in acting sparked at a remarkably young age—just five years old—after he saw a Broadway production of Annie. This inspired him to participate in school plays and community theater. By the age of eight, his acting teacher suggested he go professional, leading him to enroll in an acting program at Westchester's Star Kidz under the mentorship of Alyson Isbrandtsen.

Noah's professional journey began with a bang in 2015. At just 11 years old, he landed two major roles that would set the stage for his future. First, he provided the voice for one of the most iconic characters in American animation: Charlie Brown. In The Peanuts Movie, Noah captured the "lovable loser" spirit of the character, a performance that required him to maintain a specific vocal tone even as he began to enter puberty.

That same year, he appeared on the big screen in the historical drama Bridge of Spies, directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg. Working alongside Tom Hanks, Noah played Roger Donovan, the son of Hanks' character. This experience was a masterclass for the young actor, exposing him to top-tier filmmaking early on.

While voice acting and Spielberg films are impressive, it was a small-town supernatural mystery that turned noah schnapp into a household name. In 2016, he debuted as Will Byers in Stranger Things. In the first season, Will is the catalyst for the entire plot—his disappearance into the "Upside Down" drives the narrative, though Noah himself had limited screen time.

However, the Duffer Brothers saw his potential. Starting in Season 2, Noah was promoted to a series regular, and his performance as a boy possessed by the Mind Flayer earned him critical acclaim and the MTV Movie & TV Award for "Best Frightened Performance."

His financial trajectory on the show is a testament to its global success. As we look at the numbers, the growth is staggering:

By the time the series reaches its conclusion in 2025, Noah will have spent nearly a decade in the Hawkins universe, evolving from a child actor into a high-earning industry veteran.

Beyond the Hawkins lab, Noah has built a diverse filmography. He took the lead in the 2019 indie film Abe, playing a young boy who uses cooking to try and unite his divided Israeli-Palestinian family—a role that feels particularly poignant given his own heritage. He also starred in the World War II drama Waiting for Anya (2020) and appeared in the Adam Sandler Netflix comedy Hubie Halloween.

In 2023, he showcased a darker side in the thriller The Tutor, playing a disturbed student who becomes obsessed with his instructor. This role marked a departure from his "innocent boy" image and proved his range as an adult actor.

Noah also conquered the digital space. He launched a YouTube channel that quickly amassed 4.2 million subscribers, where he shared everything from "day in the life" vlogs at college to challenges with his Stranger Things co-stars.

Perhaps most impressive is Noah’s transition into the business world. Unlike many young stars who simply endorse products, Noah is a founder. In 2021, he launched TBH (To Be Honest), a sustainability-focused snacking company. The brand's flagship product is a hazelnut cocoa spread designed to compete with Nutella, but with a vegan recipe and no palm oil.

His commitment to business isn't just a hobby. Noah Schnapp's business degree at UPenn is a central focus of his current life. He attends the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in entrepreneurship and innovation. He even lived in the dorms like a typical freshman, balancing midterms with filming schedules.

In 2023, he expanded his food empire with TenderFix, a virtual restaurant brand launched in partnership with IHOP. Operating out of IHOP kitchens, TenderFix specializes in chicken tenders and sandwiches, available via delivery apps. This move into the "ghost kitchen" space shows his keen eye for modern food trends—something we at Edible L.A. find particularly fascinating.

Noah’s personal life has been just as transformative as his career. In January 2023, he shared a deeply personal moment with his millions of followers: he came out as gay. The announcement, made via a TikTok video, was met with overwhelming support from fans and his Stranger Things castmates. He noted that when he finally told his friends and family, their reaction was a simple "we know," allowing him to embrace his authentic self both on and off-screen.

However, being a public figure at age 21 also means navigating complex social issues. Noah has faced significant scrutiny regarding his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. After posting a video that included stickers with the phrase "Zionism is Sexy," he faced a wave of backlash and calls for boycotts.

In early 2024, Noah addressed the controversy in a video, stating that his views had been "misconstrued." He expressed a desire for peace and safety for both Israelis and Palestinians, emphasizing that he had been learning and listening. This situation highlighted the challenges of being a young, politically active celebrity in a highly polarized digital age.

As of late 2025, noah schnapp is 21 years old. He was born on October 3, 2004.

While exact figures vary, Noah's total earnings from Stranger Things alone exceed $9 million. Combined with his film roles, YouTube revenue, and business ventures like TBH, his net worth is estimated to be in the multi-million dollar range.

Yes! Noah has a fraternal twin sister named Chloe Schnapp. They are very close, and he has often described her as his best friend.

As we look toward the final season of Stranger Things, it’s clear that noah schnapp is just getting started. Whether he’s perfecting a scene in the Upside Down, studying for an exam at Wharton, or developing the next sustainable snack, he approaches everything with a unique blend of intensity and groundedness.

At Edible L.A., we love seeing young entrepreneurs take an interest in what we eat and how it’s made. Noah’s focus on palm-oil-free products and innovative food delivery models mirrors our own passion for local, sustainable food culture. As the seasons change—and we look forward to the fresh berries and vibrant produce of a Los Angeles spring—we’ll be keeping a close eye on what this talented actor and businessman does next.

For more stories on the intersection of culture, sustainability, and the L.A. food scene, be sure to explore More from Edible L.A. and join us in celebrating the people who make our community so flavorful.