Haley Lu Richardson Bio
Haley Lu Richardson (born March 7, 1995) is an American actress recognized for her emotionally grounded performances in independent cinema and mainstream productions alike. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, she built her early career through Disney Channel and ABC Family projects before transitioning into coming-of-age dramas such as The Edge of Seventeen (2016) and the psychological horror hit Split (2016). Her career-defining role in Columbus (2017) earned her a Gotham Independent Film Award nomination for Best Actress and established her as one of the most distinctive young performers of her generation.
Over the following years, Richardson balanced indie films like Support the Girls (2018) and After Yang (2022) with broader commercial work, including the romantic drama Five Feet Apart (2019) and the romantic comedy Love at First Sight (2023). Her portrayal of Portia in the second season of HBO’s The White Lotus (2022) further cemented her reputation for nuanced, emotionally resonant characters. Beyond acting, Richardson is also a published poet, releasing her first collection in late 2025.
Early Life and Background
Haley Lu Richardson was born on March 7, 1995, in Phoenix, Arizona. She grew up in the American Southwest, where she became deeply involved in the performing arts from a young age. Richardson was a regular participant in theatrical productions and regional dance competitions throughout her childhood and adolescence, experiences that shaped her stage presence and physical expressiveness.
From 2001 to 2011, Richardson was a leading dancer in Phoenix’s Cannedy Dance Company, dedicating a full decade of her youth to disciplined dance training. This long commitment to ensemble work and performance likely contributed to her ease in front of the camera and her comfort with emotionally demanding material. Her early immersion in both theater and dance gave her a strong technical foundation before she ever stepped onto a professional film or television set.
Path to Acting
Richardson’s professional path into the entertainment industry began through youth-oriented television. In 2013, she landed a recurring role as Tess in the ABC Family supernatural drama Ravenswood, a spin-off connected to the popular series Pretty Little Liars. That same year, she made appearances on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up, broadening her early television footprint and gaining experience on established network productions.
Around the same period, Richardson co-starred in an ABC pilot titled Adopted and played Julina in the Lifetime original movie Escape from Polygamy, sharing the screen with actor Jack Falahee. In 2016, she took on a recurring role as Ellie in the Freeform drama series Recovery Road, further expanding her range across network television. These early credits collectively built a steady résumé of small-screen work that prepared her for the leap into feature films.
Haley Lu Richardson Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Richardson’s first notable screen work came through recurring television roles, beginning with Ravenswood in 2013, where she played Tess alongside a young ensemble cast. She quickly accumulated guest spots and supporting parts, including a turn on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up and a role in the Lifetime film Escape from Polygamy. These projects gave her steady on-set experience and exposure to industry workflows during her late teenage years.
Her transition to film began with a leading role in The Last Survivors, followed by supporting performances in two of 2016’s most talked-about releases: the coming-of-age comedy-drama The Edge of Seventeen and the psychological horror film Split, both of which reached wide audiences and elevated her visibility. By the end of 2016, Richardson had moved from television newcomer to a recognizable presence in theatrical features.
Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Richardson’s true breakthrough arrived in 2017 with Columbus, an independent drama in which she starred opposite John Cho. The film, set against the architectural backdrop of Columbus, Indiana, follows a young woman forming an unexpected connection with a visiting stranger. For her performance, Richardson earned a Gotham Independent Film Award nomination for Best Actress, a recognition that placed her firmly on the indie cinema map.
Critical reception was strong. Writing in The New Yorker, Richard Brody noted that Richardson “vaults to the forefront of her generation’s actors with this performance, which virtually sings with emotional and intellectual acuity.” This kind of praise helped Richardson secure a wider slate of leading roles. In 2018, she appeared in the critically acclaimed workplace comedy Support the Girls, and in 2019, she co-led the romantic drama Five Feet Apart alongside Cole Sprouse, playing a cystic fibrosis patient whose bond with another patient forms the emotional core of the film.
Notable Works and Milestones
Among Richardson’s most recognized works are Split (2016), The Edge of Seventeen (2016), Columbus (2017), Five Feet Apart (2019), The White Lotus (2022), and Love at First Sight (2023). Her Gotham Award nomination for Columbus remains a signature milestone, alongside her expanded presence across both indie productions and mainstream studio features. Additional notable performances include the road-trip comedy Unpregnant (2020) and the science-fiction drama After Yang (2022).
Haley Lu Richardson Award Nominations
Richardson has earned nominations from respected independent film organizations in recognition of her dramatic work. Her most prominent nomination came in 2017, when she was nominated for the Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Actress for her leading role in Columbus. The Gotham Awards, which honor achievements in American independent filmmaking, are among the most respected honors in the indie circuit, and the nomination marked a major validation of her craft early in her feature film career.
Haley Lu Richardson Awards Won
At present, Richardson’s verified award record centers on critical acclaim and nominations rather than confirmed wins based on the available verified information. Her career has been marked by strong reviews and nominations that have helped her secure higher-profile projects, and her sustained presence in critically discussed films positions her as a performer whose work is consistently recognized within the independent film community.
Haley Lu Richardson Family
Publicly verified details about Richardson’s immediate family, including parents and siblings, are limited based on the available verified information. What is known is that she was raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where her childhood years were shaped by participation in theatrical productions, regional dance competitions, and her decade-long involvement with the Cannedy Dance Company.
Personal Life
Richardson has been an avid crocheter since the age of eight, and she operates an Etsy shop where she sells accessories and crocheted clothing made from her own designs. This longtime creative hobby reflects the same handcraft sensibility that informs her broader artistic interests, which also include writing poetry. In November 2025, Richardson published her first collection of poetry, I’m Sad and Horny, with Simon & Schuster, expanding her creative footprint beyond acting.
Richardson began dating actor Brett Dier in 2012, after they met on the set of Ravenswood. The two became engaged in 2019, with Richardson proposing casually over pizza during an appearance on Busy Tonight, where she described herself and Dier as not being particularly “romantic” people. In 2022, Richardson publicly shared that the couple had broken up two years earlier, in 2020.