Jake Connelly

Jake Connelly
Born (2012-03-05) March 5, 2012 (age 14)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active2022–present
Known forStranger Things

Jake Connelly (born March 5, 2012) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Derek Turnbow in the fifth and final season of the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things.

Early life

Jake Connelly was born in 2012. He was raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois. As of 2025, he attends middle school in the Chicago area. Connelly plays American football on his school team as a right tackle on the offensive line and on the inside defense. He is a fan of the Chicago Bears .

Prior to being cast in Stranger Things, Connelly was a fan of series, having caught up on the show with his family when the fourth season was released.

Career

Connelly began acting several years before his television debut. His first acting roles were in commercials for Feldco Windows directed by a family friend. His only credit prior to Stranger Things was a short film titled Between the Silence.

In July 2024, Connelly was cast in the fifth season of Stranger Things. He received the call confirming he had won the role while sheltering in his basement during a tornado warning. To keep his casting a secret, he told his schoolmates that he was filming a documentary about mayonnaise.

Connelly portrayed Derek Turnbow. The character is introduced as a bully who torments Holly Wheeler, but later becomes an ally to the protagonists.

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes/Ref
2025 Stranger Things Derek Turnbow Also starring (season 5); 7 episodes

Short film

Year Title Role Notes
2022 Between the Silence Jakub

References

  1. 1 2 Ray, Alyssa (November 7, 2025). "How Millie Bobby Brown Welcomed 'Stranger Things' Newcomer Jake Connelly Into the Fold". TheWrap. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Who Plays Derek in Stranger Things 5 Volume 1? Meet 13-Year-Old Jake Connelly". Teen Vogue. November 27, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  3. ↑ WBEZ, Mike Davis | (December 24, 2025). "New 'Stranger Things' star Jake Connelly on going from Feldco window commercials to Netflix". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ Nhundu, Kimberly (November 28, 2025). "How old is Stranger Things season 5 star Jake Connelly?". MSN. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  5. ↑ Nhundu, Kimberly; Toua, Myriam (November 27, 2025). "Stranger Things Season 5 star Jake Connelly - all you need to know about the new character". The Irish Star. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  6. 1 2 O'Keefe, Meghan (November 26, 2025). "'Stranger Things' 5's Most Unlikely Hero? "Dipsh*t" Derek Turnbow". Decider. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Nhundu, Kimberly (November 27, 2025). "Who plays Derek Turnbow in Stranger Things 5? Jake Connelly's age and past roles". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  8. ↑ Napier, Caitlin (2025). "Meet The New Cast Taking Over 'Stranger Things' Season 5". Marie Claire. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  9. ↑ Moore, Julia (November 27, 2025). "Stranger Things Season 5's New Characters: See Who Joins for the Final Chapter". People. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  10. ↑ Hatchett, Keisha (November 27, 2025). "Stranger Things 5 Cast Guide: New Characters, Siblings, Backstories, DnD Classes, and More". Netflix Tudum. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  11. ↑ Colburn, Randall (November 25, 2025). "See who's joining the Stranger Things cast for its fifth and final season". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Stranger Things Season 5 Cast & Characters: Here's Who Plays Holly, Derek, and More". Teen Vogue. November 26, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.