​Ross Butler, born on May 17, 1990, in Singapore, is a Singaporean-born American actor known for his roles in "13 Reasons Why," "Riverdale," and "Shazam!" His family background reflects a rich cultural heritage:​

  • Mother: Chinese-Malaysian

  • Father: English-Dutch​

At the age of four, Ross moved to the United States with his mother and was raised in Fairfax, Virginia, a suburb near Washington, D.C. He was primarily raised by his mother, and there is no public information available about siblings or other family members. ​

Ross has been open about his experiences growing up with a multicultural background and how it has influenced his perspective and career choices. He has often spoken about the challenges and opportunities that come with navigating multiple cultural identities in both his personal life and the entertainment industry.​

While detailed information about his extended family is limited, Ross Butler's upbringing and heritage have played a significant role in shaping the person and actor he is today.

Early Life and Education

Ross Fleming Butler was born on May 17, 1990, in Singapore to a Chinese-Malaysian mother and an English-Dutch father. He spent part of his early childhood in Jakarta, Indonesia, before moving to the United States at the age of four. Raised by his mother in Fairfax, Virginia, he attended Langley High School, graduating in 2008. Butler initially pursued chemical and biomolecular engineering at Ohio State University but left after a year, realizing his passion lay elsewhere. He then moved to Los Angeles at 20 to study acting. ​

Career Highlights

Butler began his acting career in 2012, taking on roles in student films and low-budget projects. His breakthrough came with the Disney Channel series K.C. Undercover, where he played Brett Willis. He also appeared in Disney Channel films like Teen Beach 2 and Perfect High.​

In 2017, he was cast as Reggie Mantle in Riverdale but left after one season to focus on his role as Zach Dempsey in Netflix's 13 Reasons Why, a character he portrayed from 2017 to 2020. ​

Butler expanded into film with his role as adult Eugene Choi in Shazam! (2019) and its sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023). He also played Trevor Pike in Netflix's To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020) and its sequel To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021). ​

In 2023, he starred in Perfect Addiction and portrayed Rick Woo in Love in Taipei. Upcoming projects include the romantic comedy Worth the Wait, the thriller Zipline, and the fantasy comedy Shiver. ​

Personal Life and Advocacy

Butler has been vocal about challenging Asian-American stereotypes in Hollywood. Standing at 6'5" with an athletic build, he often auditioned for roles traditionally not offered to Asian actors, such as all-American athletes, to break the mold of typecasting. ​

He emphasizes the importance of authentic representation in media, advocating for stories that reflect the diverse experiences of Asian-Americans. Butler believes that inclusive storytelling can dismantle stereotypes and better mirror contemporary society.

 

 

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