Who Is Nico Tortorella? Age, Career & Family Guide

Fans keep searching for one name across Hollywood, fashion, and LGBTQ+ media: Nico Tortorella. His story spans modeling contracts, horror movies, a hit TV Land comedy, and a very public journey through identity and fatherhood. This guide answers every real question people type into Google about Nico Tortorella, backed by verified facts and current 2026 updates.

Nico Tortorella: Quick Facts Table

Early Life: How Nico Tortorella Got Started

He grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, just outside Chicago, and attended New Trier High School. He stepped onto a stage for the first time in seventh grade, and that early theater experience shaped the rest of his path.

A chance visit to a Ford Models open call in 2007 changed everything. Scouts signed him on the spot, and modeling became his entry point into entertainment. Within two years, he landed his first screen credit.

From Runway to Screen: The Modeling-to-Acting Transition

Modeling gave him the visibility he needed to break into film and television. His photogenic presence and stage training made casting directors take notice quickly.

In 2009, he played Razor in the ABC Family film “Twelve,” sharing the screen with Emma Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, and 50 Cent. That same year, The CW cast him as underwear model Cole Shepard in “The Beautiful Life: TBL.” The show got canceled after two episodes, but it put his name on industry radars.

He also picked up recurring work on “Make It or Break It,” which kept him working steadily while he searched for a breakout role.

Scream 4 and The Following: Building a Horror-Drama Résumé

His biggest early break came in 2011 with Wes Craven’s “Scream 4.” He played Trevor, one of several suspects hiding behind the Ghostface mask, alongside franchise veterans Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette.

That same year, he appeared in Joel Schumacher‘s thriller “Trespass” with Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman. Two years later, he joined Kevin Bacon on Fox’s crime drama “The Following,” created by “Scream” writer Kevin Williamson. The recurring role ran from 2013 to 2015 and sharpened his dramatic range before his next major casting call.

Younger: The Role That Made Him a Household Name

Darren Star’s TV Land comedy “Younger” turned Nico Tortorella into a recognizable star. He played Josh, a tattoo artist and the on-again, off-again love interest of Sutton Foster’s lead character, from 2015 through 2021.

The show ran for seven seasons and built a loyal fan base around its sharp writing and chemistry-driven cast. For most viewers today, “Younger” remains the project most closely tied to his name, and it opened doors to bigger production deals across streaming platforms.

• Played tattoo artist Josh across all seven seasons
• Starred opposite Sutton Foster and Hilary Duff
• Helped the series build a cult following that still streams strong in 2026

The Walking Dead: World Beyond and Other TV Work

Once “Younger” wrapped, he joined AMC’s “The Walking Dead: World Beyond” as Felix Carlucci from 2020 to 2021. The zombie-drama spinoff introduced a younger cast navigating a post-apocalyptic world, and his performance added emotional weight to the ensemble.

He also took on a very different challenge in 2017, playing Lyle Menendez in Lifetime’s true-crime film “Menendez: Blood Brothers.” The role showed his willingness to step outside comedy and horror into serious, research-heavy drama.

City on Fire and a New Chapter in Music

His most recent major screen role arrived with Apple TV+’s “City on Fire,” based on Garth Risk Hallberg’s novel set in 2003 New York. Playing a musician character on the show pushed him toward something he had never done professionally: making his own music.

He has spoken openly about how personal the songwriting process became, describing the material as connected to his relationships and his growing family rather than built for industry attention. An album has been in active development, and fans can expect more music releases from him through 2026.

Nico Tortorella’s Gender Identity Journey: They/Them to He/Him

Few public figures have discussed gender identity as openly as he has. In May 2018, he shared that his gender identity and expression were “taking new flight” and began using they/them pronouns, coming out as gender fluid and later identifying as non-binary.

For six years, he spoke regularly about gender fluidity in interviews, podcasts, and advocacy work, becoming a visible voice for the LGBTQ+ community.

In October 2024, he updated his pronouns again. Speaking on the “Full of Shift” podcast with his wife, he explained that becoming a father shifted something in how he related to gender. He described feeling “like a man more than I ever have” and said the process of trying to conceive his first child played a direct role in that shift, calling the earlier pronoun conversation an “unnecessary roadblock” during a difficult fertility journey.

He has been clear that the change doesn’t erase his past identity work, and he still welcomes they/them pronouns from people who prefer them. The story reflects his long-standing philosophy that identity can keep evolving throughout a person’s life.

Marriage to Bethany C. Meyers and Their Polyamorous Relationship

He met fitness entrepreneur Bethany C. Meyers years before their wedding, and the couple dated for over a decade. They were open about practicing polyamory, a choice that created friction with some family members before they went public with it.

They married civilly on March 9, 2018, at a Manhattan clerk’s office, then held a formal ceremony with vows at St. Paul’s Chapel. Since then, the couple has run the “Constantly Evolving” podcast (later “Full of Shift”), where they discuss relationships, sobriety, gender, and parenting with unusual candor.

Fatherhood: Kilmer, a Second Child, and Baby Number Three

Parenthood reshaped his public story more than almost any other chapter. He and Bethany Meyers welcomed their first child, a daughter named Kilmer Dove, in 2023, followed by a son in 2024.

In June 2026, the couple announced they are expecting a third child, sharing the news publicly with the caption “constantly humbled.” He has described fatherhood as a defining, identity-shifting experience, saying he became “a different person” once he had a child of his own.

Sobriety and Advocacy Work

He has stayed sober for more than 11 years, a milestone he credits partly to structured routines and, more recently, to using the plant kratom as part of his wellness approach. He has discussed his recovery journey on ABC News and in multiple podcast interviews, framing sobriety as an ongoing practice rather than a finished achievement.

Beyond recovery, he remains active in LGBTQ+ advocacy, appearing at GLAAD-affiliated events and speaking about polyamory, gender identity, and mental health with organizations that reach young queer audiences.

Nico Tortorella’s Net Worth and Career Earnings

He has built his income across four channels: acting, modeling, music, and media appearances. Seven seasons of “Younger,” a recurring AMC role, an Apple TV+ series, and years of modeling contracts with brands add up to a multi-decade entertainment career.

Public estimates place his net worth in the low millions, though exact figures are not independently confirmed by financial disclosures. His income streams continue to diversify as he releases original music and expands his podcast work with Bethany Meyers.

What’s Next for Nico Tortorella in 2026

He enters 2026 balancing three major threads: a growing family, an active music career following “City on Fire,” and continued advocacy work through his podcast. He has confirmed new music is coming, and his family is preparing for their third child.

Given his history of reinvention, from model to actor to musician, fans can expect him to keep expanding his creative output rather than settling into one lane.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nico Tortorella

How old is Nico Tortorella?
He was born on July 30, 1988, making him 37 years old as of 2026. He grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, and started performing in theater during middle school.

What pronouns does Nico Tortorella use now?
He uses he/him pronouns as of 2024, after using they/them pronouns from 2018 to 2024. He has said he still doesn’t mind they/them pronouns from people who prefer them, but he personally identifies as a man following the birth of his children.

Is Nico Tortorella married?
Yes. He married Bethany C. Meyers on March 9, 2018, after dating for over a decade. The couple practices polyamory and co-hosts a podcast together called “Full of Shift.”

How many kids does Nico Tortorella have?
He has two children, a daughter born in 2023 and a son born in 2024, with a third child due in 2026. He has spoken publicly about how fatherhood reshaped his identity and outlook.

What show made Nico Tortorella famous?
“Younger,” the TV Land comedy-drama that ran from 2015 to 2021, is the role most associated with him. He played tattoo artist Josh opposite Sutton Foster for all seven seasons.

Is Nico Tortorella making music now?
Yes. After playing a musician on Apple TV+’s “City on Fire,” he began writing and recording his own material. He has confirmed an album is in progress, with new music expected through 2026.

Final Thoughts on Nico Tortorella

His career refuses to sit still. He moved from a Chicago theater stage to a modeling contract, then to horror films, prestige TV dramas, and now original music, all while speaking openly about identity, sobriety, and family life. That mix of talent and transparency is exactly why his name keeps trending.

Want the latest updates the moment they happen? Follow along for continuing coverage of his music releases, family milestones, and upcoming projects.

Sources & Further Reading

• Wikipedia — Nico Tortorella biographical entry
• PinkNews — coverage of his pronoun journey and interviews
• IMDb — filmography and family details
• Rotten Tomatoes — career and filmography overview
• GLAAD — interview on fatherhood, City on Fire, and music

Article reviewed for factual accuracy using current public interviews, verified biographical databases, and recent 2026 press coverage. Last updated July 2026.