Caleb McLaughlin

thumb Caleb Reginald McLaughlin (born October 13, 2001) is an American actor. He gained international recognition playing Lucas Sinclair in the Netflix series Stranger Things (2016–2025). Quotes I was introduced to Aubrey Lynch, who’s still one of my mentors. He’s one of the original choreographers and dancers of The Lion King. He ran a private workshop for young talent. I joined it and then he picked a couple of us to audition for the show. I auditioned a year later and got the role. I was ten years old. I played young Simba. I sang ‘I Just Can’t Wait to be King’ and ‘Hakuna Matata’. I was in love with performing arts as a kid. I was always dancing when I was younger. My parents took me to see The Lion King, and I told them I wanted to dance on stage. They always followed my lead, and paid attention to what I showed passion for. I wanted to be homeschooled since I was in third grade. I was like, ‘How can I get out of this?’ I didn’t like the teachers, but shoutout to Mr Tucci and Ms Fitz. They were great to me. I hated school. Kids need their garden watered, and teachers pick and choose who to water. I was pretty good in school, but I never felt like I was working to my full potential. Kids need that support and encouragement, but not everyone gets it. I didn’t get that in school, but I got my garden watered at home with my parents. Yes. I operate through the spirit instead of the flesh. When we get caught up in the human experience and the ego, we lose ourselves. I have a personal relationship with God. In the Bible, it talks about living through the spirit; not getting caught up in worldly desires. If you rely on external things, you’ll never be satisfied. I rely on my spirit so that I can love and forgive others. “I put way too much pressure on myself” | Caleb McLaughlin on the end of Stranger Things;By MAEVE RYAN on 26th November 2025 When I was a kid, I wanted to be a bodybuilder. I wanted to play football, basketball. I wanted to have a garage band after watching Lemonade Mouth on Disney Channel. I wanted to be everything. Acting was the last thing on my list. It was a calling. I think those are the callings—the ones you least expect to happen in your life. You train, you do reps, you push the muscle. My mother, father, my brother, my sisters, even God—just grounding myself every morning and kind of just staying in reality. Caleb McLaughlin | Keep It Tight, Keep It Loose;By Melanie Perez External links Category:Actors from New York City Category:Living people Category:2001 births Category:African Americans