Ansel Elgort

Early Life

Ansel Elgort was born on March 14, 1994, in New York City to a creative family; his father, Arthur Elgort, is a renowned fashion photographer, and his mother, Grethe Barrett Holby, is an opera director. Named after the famous nature photographer Ansel Adams, Elgort has a rich heritage, being of Russian Jewish descent on his father's side and Norwegian, English, and German ancestry on his mother's. His maternal grandmother was a member of the Norwegian resistance during World War II, which adds a layer of historical significance to his family background. Ansel grew up with two older siblings and pursued his passion for the arts from a young age, studying ballet and acting at prestigious institutions, including the School of American Ballet and LaGuardia High School.

Career

Elgort's career began to take shape shortly after he graduated high school, with his first professional acting role in an Off-Broadway production in 2012. He made his film debut in the 2013 remake of "Carrie" and gained widespread recognition for his role as Augustus Waters in the critically acclaimed film "The Fault in Our Stars" (2014). This performance solidified his status as a leading young actor, and he continued to build on this success with roles in the "Divergent" series and other notable films. In addition to acting, Elgort has ventured into music, releasing singles such as "Home Alone," "Thief," and "Supernova," showcasing his talents as a singer and DJ under Island Records, with a focus on contemporary R&B.

Personal Life

Outside of his professional endeavors, Elgort has been active in philanthropy, encouraging donations to causes like the Thirst Project on his birthday. His personal life has seen its share of challenges, including allegations of misconduct in 2020, which he publicly denied. After a long-term relationship with Violetta Komyshan, which began in high school, the couple split in 2022. Recently, Elgort welcomed his first child, a son, in 2026, marking a new chapter in his life.