Miles Alexander Teller is an American actor known for his compelling performances in a variety of film genres. He gained widespread recognition for his roles in the coming-of-age drama The Spectacular Now (2013) and the intense music drama Whiplash (2014), the latter of which earned him critical acclaim. Teller has also starred in major blockbuster films, including the Divergent series (2014–2016) and, most notably, as pilot Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw in the massively successful Top Gun: Maverick (2022), which cemented his status as a major Hollywood star.
Miles Teller Overview
| Full Name | Miles Alexander Teller |
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1987 |
| Age | 38 |
| Birthplace | Downingtown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Family | Michael Teller (Father), Merry Teller (Mother), Erin Teller (Sister), Dana Teller (Sister) |
| Height | 6′ 1″ (185 cm) |
| Profession | Actor |
| Wife | Keleigh Sperry (m. 2019) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $16 million (as of 2025) |
Early Life and Education of Miles Teller
Miles Alexander Teller was born on February 20, 1987, in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, to Merry, a real estate agent, and Michael Teller, a nuclear power plant engineer. He is the youngest of three children, with two older sisters, Erin and Dana. Due to his father’s profession, Teller’s family moved frequently during his childhood, living in Delaware and New Jersey before settling in Citrus County, Florida, when he was twelve. His heritage includes Russian Jewish, English, and Irish ancestry.
During his time at Lecanto High School in Florida, Teller was an active and popular student. He served as the president of the drama club, was homecoming king, and played the alto saxophone, drums, piano, and guitar. He was also a competitive baseball player with ambitions of turning professional. His interest in acting was sparked in his sophomore year, initially, as he has admitted, because he found the drama teacher attractive. He quickly developed a passion for the craft. After graduating from high school, Teller pursued higher education at New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. He studied method acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and screen acting at Stonestreet Studios, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in drama in 2009.
A significant event during his college years was a near-fatal car accident in 2007. The car he was a passenger in lost control and flipped eight times, ejecting him from the vehicle. The accident left him with multiple scars on his face and neck, which have become a recognizable feature.
Miles Teller’s Career
Early Work and Breakthrough (2004–2021)
Teller began his acting career with appearances in several short films between 2004 and 2010. His feature film debut came in 2010 with the drama Rabbit Hole, where he was handpicked for the role by star Nicole Kidman. The role earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Chlotrudis Awards. The following year, he appeared in the film remake of Footloose, a project he was familiar with, having starred in the stage musical version in high school.
He gained further notice with roles in the 2013 comedy 21 & Over and, most significantly, the coming-of-age drama The Spectacular Now, opposite Shailene Woodley. His performance in the latter earned him and Woodley the Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. This set the stage for his breakthrough role in Damien Chazelle’s 2014 film Whiplash. Teller played Andrew Neiman, a talented young jazz drummer pushed to his limits by an abusive instructor, played by J.K. Simmons. The role required intense drumming practice and garnered Teller nominations for a BAFTA Rising Star Award and a Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Actor.
Following this critical success, Teller took on more commercial projects. He reunited with Shailene Woodley in the dystopian science fiction film Divergent (2014) and its sequels, Insurgent (2015) and Allegiant (2016). In 2015, he starred as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic in the superhero reboot Fantastic Four, a film that was unfortunately a critical and commercial failure. Despite the film’s reception, Teller continued to work steadily, taking on lead roles in the biographical films War Dogs (2016), alongside Jonah Hill, and Bleed for This (2016), where he portrayed boxer Vinny Pazienza, a role for which he underwent five months of intense physical training. He followed these with two more biopics in 2017, Only the Brave and Thank You for Your Service.
In 2019, Teller starred in the Amazon Prime Video crime drama series Too Old to Die Young.
Top Gun: Maverick and Beyond (2022–present)
Teller experienced a significant career resurgence with his role in the 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick. He played Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of the beloved character “Goose” from the original film. The movie was a massive global success, grossing nearly $1.5 billion worldwide and becoming Teller’s highest-grossing film. The role required intensive flight training and solidified his status as a major movie star. That same year, he also starred in the Paramount+ miniseries The Offer, portraying Albert S. Ruddy, the producer of The Godfather. He also hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live in 2022. Future projects for the actor include the films The Gorge and Michael, a biopic about Michael Jackson where Teller will portray attorney John Branca.
Miles Teller Personal Life & Family
Miles Teller is married to model and actress Keleigh Sperry. The couple met in 2013 at a Grammy Awards after-party for the band The Black Keys. Teller has said he felt an immediate connection and told a friend that night he believed he would be with her for a long time. After four years of dating, Teller proposed to Sperry on August 20, 2017, while on a safari at the Molori Safari Lodge in South Africa. They were married on September 1, 2019, in a ceremony in Maui, Hawaii. Sperry has appeared alongside Teller in Taylor Swift‘s 2021 music video for “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version).” Teller credits his wife with keeping him calm and has spoken about how their strong relationship provides a stable foundation in his life. The couple’s Los Angeles home was unfortunately destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire.
Awards and Achievements of Miles Teller
Miles Teller has been recognized for his work with several awards and nominations throughout his career.
- 2013 Sundance Film Festival: Won the Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting for The Spectacular Now (shared with Shailene Woodley).
- 2014 MTV Movie Awards: Nominated for Best Kiss (with Shailene Woodley) and Breakthrough Performance for The Spectacular Now.
- 2014 Gotham Independent Film Awards: Nominated for Best Actor for Whiplash.
- 2015 BAFTA Awards: Nominated for the Rising Star Award for his work in Whiplash.
- 2015 Satellite Awards: Nominated for Best Actor for Whiplash.
- 2011 Chlotrudis Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Rabbit Hole.
Miles Teller Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Miles Teller’s net worth is estimated to be around $16 million. His income is primarily derived from his successful acting career in film and television. His salary for the blockbuster hit Top Gun: Maverick was reportedly $3.5 million, though it’s suggested his total earnings from the film could be higher due to backend participation deals. While his specific salaries for other films are not always public, roles in major franchises like Divergent and leading parts in films like Fantastic Four have significantly contributed to his wealth.
Legacy and Influence
Miles Teller has established himself as a versatile actor capable of moving between intense independent dramas and large-scale commercial blockbusters. His performance in Whiplash is widely regarded as a modern classic and a showcase of his dedication and talent. The massive success of Top Gun: Maverick introduced him to a new generation of moviegoers and solidified his position as a bankable leading man. Teller is known for his commitment to his roles, often undergoing significant physical transformations and intensive training. While he has faced some negative press regarding his public persona, he maintains a focus on building his career through his work rather than social media branding.
Interesting Facts about Miles Teller
- He is a talented musician who can play the drums, piano, guitar, and saxophone.
- Before pursuing acting, his first passion was baseball, and he dreamed of playing professionally.
- The facial scars he has are the result of a serious car accident in 2007, where he was thrown from a car that flipped eight times. He still has small pieces of gravel embedded in his face.
- He had to learn to play the drums for his role in Whiplash.
- He starred in the 2011 remake of Footloose after having played the same character, Willard, in his high school’s stage production of the musical.
- He and his wife, Keleigh, starred in a 2023 Super Bowl commercial for Bud Light.
- He was nominated for an MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss with co-star Shailene Woodley for The Spectacular Now.
Controversies
Miles Teller has been the subject of some controversy and negative press during his career. In June 2017, he was arrested for public intoxication in San Diego. Teller initially denied the arrest on Twitter, stating he was detained but not charged, though reports later confirmed the arrest. He has also been described in some media profiles as having a “cocky” or “dickish” attitude, an image that was notably shaped by a 2015 Esquire profile. Teller has expressed frustration with this portrayal, feeling it was a misrepresentation. There have also been reports of on-set friction, including nearly getting into a physical altercation with a director and being dismissed from the film La La Land over alleged demands. Additionally, in 2021, he was allegedly punched in the face in a dispute over what was reported to be an unpaid wedding bill, a claim Teller denied, stating he was randomly attacked.
Social Media Presence
Miles Teller maintains a presence on X (formerly Twitter), where he occasionally interacts with fans and comments on news. He has stated that he appreciates the platform for allowing him to have his own voice and correct misinformation. However, he is notably absent from Instagram. Teller has explained that he feels people spend too much time on their phones and that he wants to build his fan base through his film work alone, rather than through social media branding, even acknowledging that this decision might cost him roles or endorsement deals.
Final Words about Miles Teller
Miles Teller’s career is a testament to his resilience and talent, marked by critically acclaimed performances and massive box office success. From his breakout roles in independent cinema to his star turn in one of the biggest films of the 2020s, he has proven his range and dedication as an actor. While navigating the complexities of public perception, Teller remains focused on his craft. With several high-profile projects on the horizon, including a potential Top Gun sequel and the A24 romantic comedy Eternity, his influence in Hollywood is poised to continue growing. His journey, complete with its challenges and triumphs, solidifies his place as one of the most compelling actors of his generation.
