Skylar Gaertner

Biography

Skylar Gaertner (born May 7, 2003) is an American actor who began his career at a young age, quickly establishing himself with notable roles in both television and film.   

Gaertner started acting in commercials at the age of three. By the age of seven, he was handpicked by Steven Spielberg for the lead role of Bode Locke in the TV pilot Locke & Key (2011). While the pilot wasn't picked up, it marked an early, significant step in his career.   

He continued to build his resume with appearances in various television series, including Lipstick Jungle (2008-2009), Nurse Jackie (2009-2015), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2011), Person of Interest (2012), and The Americans (2013-2018). He also portrayed a young Matt Murdock in the Marvel series Daredevil (2015-2018).   

Gaertner's most prominent role to date is as Jonah Byrde in the critically acclaimed Netflix crime drama series Ozark (2017-2022). He joined the cast at the age of twelve and played the increasingly complex character of the Byrde family's son throughout the show's four seasons. His performance was praised for its maturity and nuance as Jonah grappled with his family's criminal activities. As part of the Ozark ensemble, he was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2019, 2021, and 2023.   

In film, Gaertner has appeared in Alex of Venice (2014), They Came Together (2014), I Smile Back (2015), and The Ticket (2016). More recently, he had a role in the "Accused" (2023) TV series.   

Skylar Gaertner has demonstrated significant talent from a young age and has grown into a compelling young actor, best known for his impactful portrayal of Jonah Byrde in Ozark.