Ethan Dawes (American Actor & Director) – Bio, Age, Early Life, Career, Family and More

Ethan Dawes is an American actor, director, and writer known for his indie filmmaking style, collaborative energy, and rising presence in television. He has built a multi-hyphenate career that spans directing the first season of the hit web series Chicken Girls (2017)—which earned five Streamy Award nominations—to playing Miles Forrester in MTV’s Sweet/Vicious (2016). A Los Angeles native and Emerson College film graduate, Ethan has worked both on-screen and behind the camera, including assisting on The Matrix Resurrections (2021).

In 2025, he also gained public attention as the boyfriend of acclaimed actress Kaitlyn Dever, marking him as a growing figure in Hollywood circles.

Table of Contents

Ethan Dawes Wiki/Bio

Full Name	Ethan Dawes
Date of Birth	October 18, 1989
Age	36 years (as of 2025)
Profession	Actor, Director, Writer
Hometown	Encino, California, USA
Current Residence	Los Angeles, California, USA
Nationality	American
Zodiac Sign	Libra
Relationship Status	Dating Kaitlyn Dever (as of 2025)
Children	None

Early Life

Ethan Dawes was born on October 18, 1989, in Encino, California, and grew up in the creative atmosphere of the San Fernando Valley. Surrounded by Los Angeles’ entertainment industry, he developed a strong interest in filmmaking and storytelling from a young age. While information about his parents and any siblings remains private, Ethan’s early exposure to local arts programs and family support encouraged experimentation in photography, film, and music.

As a teenager, he began creating short films and developed musical interests that eventually led to a touring role with the electronic group Super Mash Bros during college—an experience that strengthened his creative versatility.

Ethan Dawes Education

Ethan attended Emerson College in Boston, where he studied film with a focus on directing, writing, and performance. During his time there:

He toured with Super Mash Bros, performing at concerts and festivals.
He gained hands-on filmmaking experience across student films and independent productions.

This blend of academic learning and real-world creative work laid the foundation for his professional career.

Family Details

Ethan keeps his family background private. No public details are available about his parents or siblings.

As of 2025, Ethan is in a high-profile relationship with actress Kaitlyn Dever. The couple made their first public appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March 2025, confirming their romance. Despite public curiosity, they maintain a low profile and prioritize their careers.

Kaitlyn Dever and Ethan Dawes (Credit: Getty Images)

Career Highlights

Ethan Dawes’s filmmaking journey began with his romantic comedy feature Go for Broke (2013), a micro-budget indie film he wrote, directed, and starred in. The project earned praise in festival circles for its sincerity and charm.

His acting break came in MTV’s Sweet/Vicious (2016), where he played Miles Forrester, a key character in the show’s storyline addressing campus sexual assault.

In 2017, Ethan directed the first season of the Brat TV series Chicken Girls, starring Hayley LeBlanc and Jules LeBlanc. The season became a viral hit and was nominated for five Streamy Awards, cementing his reputation as a rising director in digital media.

Other notable roles include:

Production assistant on The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Guest role in Mayfair Witches (2023)

In 2025, Ethan continues to develop new indie projects while supporting Kaitlyn Dever on set for The Last of Us.

Career Milestones

Milestone	Details
Emerson College	Film studies; toured with Super Mash Bros
Feature Debut	Go for Broke – wrote, directed, starred (2013)
Breakout Acting Role	Sweet/Vicious – Miles Forrester (2016)
Directorial Breakthrough	Directed Chicken Girls Season 1 (2017)
Major Production Work	Assistant on The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Recent TV Work	Guest role in Mayfair Witches (2023)