If you’ve been wondering what happened to the actor who played Clay Jensen in 13 Reasons Why, you’re not alone. Dylan Minnette didn’t vanish—he traded Hollywood sets for recording studios. As of 2024, he’s deep into making a new album with his band Wallows, and he’s been refreshingly candid about why acting took a back seat.
Born: December 29, 1996 · Age (2024): 28 · Known for: Clay Jensen in 13 Reasons Why · Current Band: Wallows · Status: Active in music
Quick snapshot
- Born December 29, 1996 in Evansville, Indiana (Wikipedia)
- Played Clay Jensen in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020) (Rolling Stone)
- Lead vocalist and guitarist in the band Wallows (Vanity Fair)
- Whether he has permanently quit acting or is on a long hiatus (Music News)
- Exact net worth (estimates vary) (HotNewHipHop)
- Marital status with Lydia Night (E! Online)
- Height (not publicly disclosed) (Music News)
- 2003: First acting role on Two and a Half Men (Wikipedia)
- 2017–2020: Starred in 13 Reasons Why (Rolling Stone)
- 2019: Wallows debut album Nothing Happens (E! Online)
- 2024: Focused on new Wallows album (Rolling Stone)
- Recording a new Wallows album (Vanity Fair)
- Has not closed the door on acting if the right project appears (Rolling Stone (2025))
- Active on Instagram (@dylanminnette) as of 2024 (Rolling Stone)
Five details, one pattern: much of what’s publicly known about Dylan Minnette is either verified by his own statements or rests on third-party estimates. Here’s a quick look at the basics.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dylan Christopher Minnette |
| Date of birth | December 29, 1996 |
| Birthplace | Evansville, Indiana |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Net worth | Not publicly verified |
The pattern: of the five key identifiers, only three are confirmed by official sources. Height and net worth remain guesswork.
Why Did Dylan Minnette Quit Acting?
In 2024, Minnette told Vanity Fair that acting had started to feel like “just a job.” He wanted to give his “100% time and energy” to Wallows, the alt-rock band he formed in 2017 with Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston.
His focus on music with Wallows
- Wallows released their debut album Nothing Happens in 2019 (E! Online).
- In 2024, the band released a second album, Model, and Minnette has been actively promoting it (Rolling Stone).
Reasons for stepping away from acting
Minnette clarified that he never officially announced a permanent retirement. He told The Hollywood Reporter he had planned to return in 2023, but the actors’ strike interfered. The implication: his hiatus is pragmatic, not absolute.
Minnette’s candidness reveals a growing pattern among young actors: walking away from guaranteed fame to preserve creative autonomy. He still believes he has “something to offer creatively outside music,” including acting, as he told Vanity Fair.
The catch: while the media narrative often frames his move as a permanent quit, Minnette himself pushed back in 2025.
Is Dylan Minnette in a Relationship?
Minnette has been publicly linked to musician Lydia Night since around 2018, but neither has confirmed a marriage.
Relationship with Lydia Night
- Night is the lead singer of the band The Regrettes (E! Online).
- The pair have been spotted together at events and on social media, but no official announcement of a relationship exists from either party.
Marriage status
No marriage certificate or public statement has been issued. As of 2024, it’s safe to say they are not married based on publicly available records.
The pattern: without official confirmation, relationship details remain in the realm of speculation.
Where Is Dylan Minnette Right Now?
As of late 2024, Minnette is based in Los Angeles and fully occupied with Wallows. In a May 2024 Instagram post, he wrote: “Hello! I am alive! I have been living. Making music with Wallows, an album specifically, which I have been thoroughly enjoying the process of.”
Current activities: Wallows album
- Wallows’ second album Model was released in 2024 (Rolling Stone).
- He has been active on social media, posting about the band’s music and performances.
Recent public appearances
Minnette and Wallows have performed at music festivals and done press for Model, including a YouTube interview where they discussed the album and the acting hiatus (YouTube (Wallows interview)).
While the media narrative often frames his move as a permanent quit, Minnette himself pushed back in 2025, telling Music News that he “never felt or said” he was done with acting.
The implication: Minnette is keeping his options open while pursuing music full-time.
How Rich Is Dylan Minnette?
No verified net worth figure exists. A 2024 article from HotNewHipHop estimated $3 million, citing CelebrityNetWorth as the source—a third-party estimator with no official disclosure. This figure is plausible but unconfirmed.
Net worth estimates
- Multiple entertainment sites place his net worth between $2 million and $5 million, but none link to tax records or financial statements.
- His income came from acting roles (especially 13 Reasons Why) and music royalties from Wallows (HotNewHipHop).
Income sources
Net worth should be treated as an estimate. The only reliable fact: Minnette earned enough from a hit Netflix series to fund a comfortable hiatus while he builds a music career.
The pattern: without verified financial disclosures, all net worth figures remain approximate.
Dylan Minnette’s Acting Career and Notable Roles
Minnette began acting at age 8, with a 2003 appearance on Two and a Half Men (Wikipedia). He later appeared in guest roles on Supernatural and The Mentalist between 2011–2012.
13 Reasons Why role
His breakout came with the Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020), where he played the sensitive, guilt-ridden Clay Jensen (Rolling Stone).
Supernatural and The Mentalist appearances
- He played a young Dean Winchester in a flashback episode of Supernatural (Wikipedia).
- He had a guest role on The Mentalist as Danny Ruskin.
Other movies and TV shows
- Major films: Scream (2022) and The Dropout (2022) (E! Online).
- His last on-screen appearances were in 2022, after which he fully pivoted to music.
The pattern: his acting career built steadily over two decades before the deliberate pause.
Timeline: From Child Actor to Wallows Frontman
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2003 | First acting role on Two and a Half Men (Wikipedia) |
| 2011–2012 | Guest appearances on Supernatural and The Mentalist |
| 2017–2020 | Starred as Clay Jensen in 13 Reasons Why |
| 2019 | Wallows released debut album Nothing Happens (E! Online) |
| 2022 | Last acting roles: Scream and The Dropout |
| 2024 | Wallows album Model; active music hiatus (Rolling Stone) |
The pattern: the timeline shows a clear arc from child actor to Netflix star to musician—each phase lasting roughly 5–6 years.
What We Know and What We Don’t Know
The following breakdown separates confirmed facts from open questions.
Confirmed facts
- Born December 29, 1996 in Evansville, Indiana.
- Known for role as Clay Jensen in 13 Reasons Why.
- Current member of the band Wallows.
- Active on Instagram as of 2024, posting about making music.
What’s unclear
- Whether he has permanently quit acting or is on a long hiatus.
- Exact net worth (estimates vary widely).
- Marital status with Lydia Night.
- Height (not publicly disclosed).
The pattern: what is unclear outnumbers what is confirmed—a sign that Minnette values privacy where it matters.
In His Own Words
“Hello! I am alive! I have been living. Making music with Wallows, an album specifically, which I have been thoroughly enjoying the process of.”
— Dylan Minnette, Instagram (May 2024), as reported by Rolling Stone
“I still believe I have something to offer creatively outside music, including acting.”
— Dylan Minnette, Vanity Fair interview (Vanity Fair, 2024)
What these quotes reveal: Minnette hasn’t burned bridges. He’s just prioritising a different creative outlet for now.
Related reading
- Nolan Gould: IQ, Modern Family, and Life After Luke Dunphy
- Jackson Wang Biography, Relationship, Net Worth (2025)
Frequently asked questions
What is Dylan Minnette’s height?
He has not publicly shared his height, and no verified source lists it.
Does Dylan Minnette have any siblings?
He has an older sister, but her name is not widely publicised (Wikipedia).
When did Dylan Minnette start acting?
He began acting at age 8, with his first credited role in 2003 on Two and a Half Men (Wikipedia).
What bands has Dylan Minnette been in?
He is the lead vocalist and guitarist for Wallows, formed in 2017. He was previously in a band called The Feaver (Wikipedia).
Is Dylan Minnette still friends with Cole Sprouse?
There is no recent public evidence of a rift; they co-starred in 13 Reasons Why but have not been photographed together recently. No confirmation of estrangement exists.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.