Noah Schnapp: From Child Actor to Ivy League Student – His Journey Before and After Fame

Noah Schnapp is an actor and entrepreneur best known for his role as Will Byers in Netflix’s Stranger Things. His performance in the series earned him widespread recognition, opening doors to roles in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies and as the voice of Charlie Brown in The Peanuts Movie. Beyond acting, he has ventured into business, co-founding TBH, a sustainable snack brand, and launching TenderFix. Balancing his career with education, he is currently pursuing a degree in Business and Entrepreneurship at the University of Pennsylvania.

From discovering his passion for acting at a young age to becoming a household name in Hollywood, Noah’s journey is marked by talent, determination, and continuous growth. Yet, his story goes beyond the screen. He has navigated the challenges of early fame while expanding his interests into business and education, proving that success can take many forms.

Early Life and Family Background

Noah Cameron Schnapp was born on October 3, 2004, in Scarsdale, New York. He has a twin sister, Chloe Schnapp, who is four minutes younger than him. His parents, Mitchell Schnapp, a real estate developer, and Karine Schnapp, a former business executive and teacher, both hail from Montreal, Québec, Canada. Despite moving to the United States, Noah’s extended family still resides in Montreal, maintaining strong ties to their Canadian heritage.

Noah is of Jewish descent, with his father’s side tracing its roots to Russia and his mother’s side to Morocco. His Jewish heritage plays a significant role in his identity, shaping his cultural experiences and influencing some of the roles he has taken in his acting career.

Upbringing and Cultural Background

Noah grew up in a culturally diverse and supportive household. He has spoken about how learning about different religions and traditions was part of his upbringing. This appreciation for cultural diversity was reflected in his role in the film Abe, where he played a Jewish character navigating a multicultural environment.

In a 2020 interview with Screen Rant, Noah discussed how his Jewish heritage influenced his connection to the film Waiting for Anya. He mentioned that playing a Jewish character resonated deeply with him, and his family was excited about the project.

“I mean, it just came my way like any other film project. I read the script and I was really excited about it, especially because it’s surrounded around a Jewish character and I myself am Jewish. So I really resonated with it, and when I told my family about it, they were excited about [the project] too.” (Screen Rant, 2020)

He also shared that his family frequently discussed Jewish history and the Holocaust, deepening his understanding of his heritage.

“And I also talked to my parents about it a lot, and because my family is Jewish, we all connected to it in a way.” (Screen Rant, 2020)

Early Interest in Acting

Noah’s interest in acting started at an early age. He has often mentioned that attending Broadway shows as a child sparked his passion for performing. Watching Annie on Broadway was a pivotal moment for him, although he later clarified that it was actually an acting class at six years old that truly ignited his love for the craft.

His acting teacher recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue acting professionally. With the support of his parents, he enrolled in an acting school, which eventually led him to sign with an agency. His early career consisted of commercials and voice-over work before he landed significant roles in major Hollywood productions.

Life Before Fame

Before his breakout role as Will Byers in Stranger Things, Noah was a regular kid who enjoyed school, playing with friends, and exploring his creative interests. His early career highlights include voice acting as Charlie Brown in The Peanuts Movie (2015) and starring alongside Tom Hanks in Bridge of Spies (2015), directed by Steven Spielberg. Reflecting on this early career success, he shared:

“In the beginning of my career, I was doing a bunch of stuff like commercials and voiceovers and little things, and I was like, ‘Do I really like this?’ And then all of a sudden I did this Charlie Brown movie, which was crazy. And then I did this Spielberg movie with Tom Hanks, like, all at the same time.” (Rolling Stone UK, 2022)

Interestingly, when Stranger Things first premiered in 2016 and became an instant hit, Noah was away at summer camp and unaware of the show’s explosive success. He recalled:

“I didn’t even know what was going on.” (Wall Street Journal, 2016)

Growing Up in the Spotlight

Noah Schnapp was just ten years old when he stepped into the world of Stranger Things, a show that would shape his childhood and propel him to international fame. Navigating life in the spotlight at such a young age wasn’t always easy, but he credits his co-stars and family for keeping him grounded through it all.

“We’re like a family at this point. I grew up with these people, and we all relate and have the same story with the whole ‘being in the limelight’ situation.” (GQ, 2020)

As Stranger Things matured, so did Noah. The series evolved, embracing darker, more intense themes while still preserving its signature humor and camaraderie.

“It’s scarier and more gory… It does a really great job of growing up with the characters and bringing the violence and gore that we know from Stranger Things, but also the light and the fun with the comedic relief from Dustin and the new characters.” (Variety, 2023)

Beyond the screen, Noah also underwent a transformation. Initially, he saw himself in Will Byers—introverted, shy, and reserved—but as he grew older, he found his own voice and stepped out of that shadow.

“I find what’s most interesting with Will is when I was first cast in the role I related to him a lot in the sense that like we were both kind of introverted shy young innocent people and as like I’ve grown I’ve found that I’ve kind of grown separately from Will and I’ve become more comfortable with myself and outgoing and whatnot.” (Variety, 2023)

A significant part of his journey involved coming into his own identity. Noah publicly came out as queer in a casual TikTok post and later attended his first Pride parade, embracing the newfound sense of self with joy and confidence.

As he bid farewell to Stranger Things, Noah reflected on the decade-long journey in an emotional Instagram post on December 20, 2024. Wrapping his final scene as Will Byers, he shared his gratitude for the cast, crew, and the lessons he learned along the way:

1. The Duffer Brothers taught him that patience is key in the creative process—perfection takes time.
2. Shawn Levy showed him that sometimes, less is more.
3. The crew proved that professionalism and deep friendships can go hand in hand.
4. Finn Wolfhard sparked his curiosity about the magic behind the camera.
5. Winona Ryder introduced him to cinematic classics like Terms of Endearment and Almost Famous, fueling his passion for film.
6. Millie Bobby Brown reminded him to embrace his playful side and not take life too seriously.
7. Gaten Matarazzo encouraged him to take pride in being a nerd and never stop learning.
8. Caleb McLaughlin reinforced the importance of open communication and honesty.
9. Sadie Sink reminded him that growing up doesn’t mean losing touch with the child within.
10. Charlie Heaton showed him that true masculinity is about kindness, love, and gentle strength.

Growing up in the public eye wasn’t always easy, and Noah admitted to feeling like an outsider at times.

“Growing up, I always felt like an outcast, unsure of where I fit in. Navigating life in the spotlight while carrying this feeling, through every awkward phase and embarrassing moment exposed for the world to see, has definitely been an unusual experience. But I’ve been honored to share it with my incredible co-stars, who understand it in a way that no one else can.”

For Noah, Stranger Things wasn’t just a job—it was a dream turned reality. He expressed his eternal gratitude to the Duffer Brothers for taking a chance on him when he was just a kid, trusting him with a story that would become so much bigger than any of them could have imagined.

“Stranger Things is a never-ending story for me—it’s in my heart forever.”

Education and College Life

Noah Schnapp officially enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) in 2022, joining the Wharton School to study Business and Entrepreneurship with a minor in Film. His acceptance into the prestigious Ivy League university was widely shared on social media, particularly in a now-deleted TikTok video where he and his family excitedly reacted to the news.

“I’m majoring in business and entrepreneurship. So — yeah, so I’ll be minoring in like, film, and taking film classes, of course. I have to.” (The Tonight Show, 2022)

Transition to College and Public Scrutiny

While transitioning from high school to college, Noah faced several challenges, particularly due to his fame. According to an article from USD Vista (October 5, 2022), some students at UPenn allegedly attempted to exploit his celebrity status. Reports surfaced of people pressuring him into situations that could have been used for viral content, with some even sharing screenshots suggesting intentions to humiliate him. Despite this, Noah remained committed to experiencing college like any other student.

“There’s already so much pressure from being in the industry at such a young age. Having that happen to him when he tries to have a normal life is kinda sad.” (USD junior Emily Leyva comments on on the troubling events surrounding the actor. USD VISTA, 2022)

Despite these challenges, Noah remained focused on his academic and personal growth, expressing enthusiasm about his college experience in multiple interviews.

Living on Campus

Noah eagerly embraced dorm life at UPenn, looking forward to the experience of living independently and engaging with fellow students. He expressed enthusiasm about having a roommate and immersing himself in the college community, viewing it as an essential part of his transition into adulthood.

“That’s one thing I was actually very excited about, was — was having — living in a dorm. Like, what is that like?” (The Tonight Show, 2022)

Noah also mentioned that he and his roommate had discussed his fame beforehand, and his roommate was cool about it. Their families were already acquainted, which added to the sense of familiarity and comfort as Noah settled into his new environment.

Reports from PhillyVoice confirmed that Noah was seen moving into his dorm in late August 2022, settling into his new life at the university. Determined to experience college as any other student would, he aimed to balance his studies with personal growth and social interactions.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Noah also worked as a lifeguard before starting his freshman year, a decision that reflected his desire to engage in everyday experiences despite his fame.

“It’s kind of a ‘just for fun’ thing.” (Flaunt Magazine, 2022)

Despite the pressures of balancing college with his acting career, Noah remains committed to fully embracing university life while continuing to pursue his educational and entrepreneurial goals.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Noah’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found TBH, a sustainable, healthier alternative to Nutella. Additionally, he founded TenderFix, a delivery-only restaurant concept specializing in chicken sandwiches. His business ventures align with his interest in sustainability and healthy living, demonstrating that his ambitions extend beyond Hollywood.

Sources and References

Screen Rant (2020):https://screenrant.com/noah-schnapp-waiting-for-anya-interview/ Rolling Stone UK (2022):https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/tv/noah-schnapp-stranger-things-will-byers-season-4-interview-15937/ Wall Street Journal (2016):https://youtu.be/1FyRwqQbxRM GQ (2020):https://youtu.be/bfSadeGIp0U Variety (2023): https://youtu.be/vIpv15G3MBQ The Tonight Show (2022):https://youtu.be/WAWCzdXkyD0 USD VISTA:https://uofsdmedia.com/noah-schnapp-harassed-at-upenn/ PhillyVoice:https://www.phillyvoice.com/noah-schnapp-stranger-things-university-of-pennsylvania-move-in-dorm-philly-netflix/ Noah Schnapp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDznpEVPgxw/