Beanie Feldstein Bio
Elizabeth Greer Feldstein, known professionally as Beanie Feldstein, is an American actress and singer born on June 24, 1993, in Los Angeles, California. She first rose to public attention for her work in the comedy film Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016), the comedy-drama Lady Bird (2017), and the high school comedy Booksmart (2019), the last of which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical. In addition to her film work, Feldstein has built a respected stage career, making her Broadway debut in the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly! and later starring as Fanny Brice in the 2022 revival of Funny Girl.
Across film, television, and theater, Feldstein has become known for her warmth, comic timing, and willingness to take on ambitious long-term projects. She is also recognized for her close friendships within the entertainment industry and for her openness about her personal life.
Early Life and Background
Feldstein was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in a creative, music-connected household. She is the daughter of Sharon Lyn Chalkin, a costume designer and fashion stylist, and Richard Feldstein, a tour accountant for the rock band Guns N’ Roses. She is the youngest of three children, and her older brother is the actor Jonah Hill. Her oldest brother, Jordan Feldstein, who managed the band Maroon 5, died in 2017 at the age of 40 from a blood clot.
Her family nanny gave her the nickname “Beanie” when she was an infant, a name that stuck and became her public identity. Feldstein is Jewish and attended the Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where she became close friends with fellow actor Ben Platt, a friendship that has lasted since their high school years. She also trained at Stagedoor Manor, a well-known theater camp in New York that has launched the careers of many young performers.
After high school, Feldstein attended Wesleyan University, where she graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. Her time at Wesleyan helped shape her interest in character-driven storytelling and gave her a broader perspective on the world beyond Hollywood.
Path to Acting
Feldstein’s path into acting began early. She made her screen debut in 2002 as a child in the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids, marking the start of a career that has continued steadily ever since. Throughout her teenage years she balanced school with auditions, eventually training seriously in theater at Stagedoor Manor.
In 2012, she played Megan in the musical television pilot Madison High, and in 2015 she appeared in a guest role in the third season of the Netflix comedy series Orange Is the New Black. That same year she appeared in the comedy film Fan Girl. These early roles helped her build experience and industry connections.
Her first major breakthrough on screen came with a supporting role in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016), which placed her alongside established stars Seth Rogen and Zac Efron. The film’s success introduced her to wider audiences and opened the door to larger projects, including her transition to the Broadway stage in the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly! opposite Bette Midler.
Beanie Feldstein Career
Early Career (2002–2016)
Feldstein’s early career was defined by small but meaningful television appearances and training opportunities. After her 2002 debut in My Wife and Kids, she continued to take on guest roles and small parts while finishing her education. Her 2015 appearances in Orange Is the New Black and Fan Girl demonstrated her range and prepared her for larger ensemble work.
Her casting in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising in 2016 represented her first significant film role and established her as a rising comedic talent. She also appeared as a guest on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace and was cast in the HBO period drama pilot The Devil You Know, further expanding her network of industry contacts.
Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Feldstein’s breakthrough arrived in 2017, a transformative year in her career. She made her Broadway debut as Minnie Fay in the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly!, starring opposite Bette Midler. The role received positive reviews from critics and confirmed her ability to succeed on the New York stage.
Later in 2017, she co-starred with Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf in Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird, a critically acclaimed comedy-drama that earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture. The film’s cast, including Feldstein, received a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. She also starred in Whitney Cummings’ directorial debut, The Female Brain, which premiered at the LA Film Festival.
In 2019, Feldstein took on the role of Jenna in the FX horror comedy series What We Do in the Shadows, earning strong critical reviews. That same year, she starred in Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, Booksmart, a high school comedy that became a critical favorite. Her performance earned widespread acclaim and a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.
Notable Works and Milestones
Feldstein’s signature works include her starring role in Booksmart (2019), her Broadway turn as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (2022), and her supporting role in Lady Bird (2017). Her Golden Globe nomination for Booksmart stands as one of her most significant career achievements to date, alongside her Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance for Funny Girl.
Beanie Feldstein Award Nominations
Beanie Feldstein has received recognition from major awards bodies for both her film and stage work. Her Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for Booksmart (2019) remains among the most prominent honors of her career. She was also part of the nominated cast of Lady Bird at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and earned a Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance for her work in Funny Girl on Broadway.
Beanie Feldstein Awards Won
Across her career in film, television, and theater, Beanie Feldstein has earned recognition for her performances, including nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Drama League Awards.
Beanie Feldstein Family
Beanie Feldstein comes from a creative Los Angeles family with deep ties to the entertainment industry. Her mother, Sharon Lyn Chalkin, works as a costume designer and fashion stylist, while her father, Richard Feldstein, served as a tour accountant for the rock band Guns N’ Roses. Her older brother, Jonah Hill, is a well-known actor, and her oldest brother, Jordan Feldstein, who managed the band Maroon 5, passed away in 2017 at the age of 40.
Personal Life
Feldstein identifies as queer and met her future wife, English film producer Bonnie-Chance Roberts, on the set of the 2019 film How to Build a Girl. The two became engaged in June 2022 and married on May 19, 2023. In May 2026, Feldstein announced that she and Roberts were expecting their first child together. Feldstein has also been open about her close friendship with actor Ben Platt, whom she has known since high school.