Evan Thomas Peters was born on January 20, 1987, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He grew up in the suburb of Ballwin, Missouri, where he was raised in a Catholic household. Peters attended a Catholic school but later moved to Los Angeles with his mother at the age of 15 to pursue an acting career. His parents, Julie and Phil Peters, were supportive of his ambitions, and he began taking acting classes shortly after arriving in Los Angeles.
Peters’ early interest in acting was inspired by his love for movies and television, and he soon started auditioning for roles, laying the foundation for what would become a highly successful career in film and television.
Peters began his acting career in the early 2000s with a series of commercials and small roles in television and film. He made his film debut in the 2004 drama Clipping Adam, where he played the lead role of Adam Sheppard, a teenager coping with the loss of his family. His performance earned him a Screen Actors Guild Emerging Actor Award, signaling the start of a promising career.
During this time, Peters also appeared in several commercials, including spots for Progressive Insurance, PlayStation, and Kellogg’s. These early roles helped Peters build a foundation in the industry, and he soon transitioned to more prominent television roles, such as his recurring role as Seth Wosmer on the Disney Channel series Phil of the Future (2004-2005).
Peters’ breakthrough came in 2011 when he was cast in the first season of the FX anthology series American Horror Story, created by Ryan Murphy. In the first season, titled Murder House, Peters portrayed Tate Langdon, a troubled and violent teenager. His portrayal of Tate, a character with a dark and complex past, captivated audiences and established Peters as a breakout star.
Peters went on to become a mainstay in the American Horror Story franchise, appearing in nearly every season of the series and taking on a wide range of characters, including:
His ability to play such diverse roles, ranging from villains to sympathetic characters, made Peters a fan favorite and earned him critical praise. His performances were often praised for their emotional depth and versatility, contributing to the overall success of the anthology series.
While Evan Peters gained widespread fame through his television work, he also appeared in several notable film roles throughout his career. Some of his most well-known film appearances include:
In addition to his work in the X-Men franchise, Peters has appeared in independent films, such as Elvis & Nixon (2016) and American Animals (2018), where he played a lead role in the heist drama based on a true story.
In 2022, Peters took on the challenging role of real-life serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in the Netflix series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, directed by Ryan Murphy. His portrayal of Dahmer, a man responsible for the horrific murders of 17 victims, earned widespread critical acclaim for its chilling accuracy and emotional complexity.
Peters’ commitment to the role, which required him to explore the psychological and disturbing aspects of the character, led to praise from both critics and audiences. His performance in the series earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Limited Series in 2023.
Throughout his career, Evan Peters has been relatively private about his personal life. He has been in high-profile relationships, most notably with actress Emma Roberts. The two met on the set of the film Adult World (2013) and had an on-and-off relationship that ended in 2019. Despite their breakup, Peters and Roberts remained on good terms.
Peters is known for his down-to-earth and humble personality, often expressing gratitude for his success and maintaining a low-key presence outside of his acting roles. His fans admire his dedication to his craft and his ability to take on emotionally demanding roles.
Throughout his career, Evan Peters has received numerous awards and nominations for his work in television and film. Some of his notable accolades include:
As of 2024, Evan Peters continues to take on exciting new roles in both television and film. With his award-winning performance in Dahmer and his continued collaboration with Ryan Murphy, Peters remains a prominent figure in Hollywood. Fans eagerly anticipate his next projects, which will likely further showcase his range as an actor.
Evan Peters has established himself as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation. From his breakout role in American Horror Story to his critically acclaimed performance as Jeffrey Dahmer, Peters has proven his ability to tackle a wide range of characters with depth and nuance. With a successful career spanning both television and film, Peters continues to captivate audiences and remains a key figure in the entertainment industry.