Everything You Need to Know About Brigette Lundy-Paine
Early Life and Artistic Roots of Brigette Lundy-Paine
Brigette Lundy-Paine, now known professionally and personally as Jack Haven, is an American actor best known for playing Casey Gardner in the acclaimed Netflix series Atypical and for starring in films such as Bill & Ted Face the Music and I Saw the TV Glow. They are also recognized as a non-binary advocate and multidisciplinary artist working across music and independent publishing.
Born on August 10, 1994, in Dallas, Texas, Haven was immersed in the creative arts from the very beginning. When they were just two years old, their family relocated to the vibrant community of Alameda, California. Growing up in the East Bay area provided a nurturing, arts-rich environment that shaped their worldview and fueled their creative impulses.
Haven attended Encinal High School in Alameda, where they balanced academics with high-energy extracurricular activities—even serving as a high school cheerleader. Artistry runs deep in the family bloodline: their parents, Laura Lundy and Robert Paine, are both deeply engaged in the San Francisco Bay Area theater scene as actors, directors, and producers. Laura Lundy founded Blue Panther Productions and co-founded Creative Consultants, giving Haven an inside look at the grit and collaboration required to bring stage stories to life.
Beyond their immediate household, Haven shares a direct creative lineage with American music history. They are the great-grandniece of legendary Tin Pan Alley songwriter Haven Gillespie, who penned timeless classics including “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.”
Theater Roots in the Bay Area
Before learning to spell the word “stage,” Haven was already on one. Their very first performance occurred before age three in a family-run stage production.
Growing up around community black-box theaters, Haven absorbed the fundamentals of storytelling, vocal projection, and improvisational timing. The collaborative, maker-focused energy of regional stage productions taught them that performance is an ensemble craft. As Haven playfully reflected later in life, their artistic approach has always resisted neat boundaries: “Don’t put me in a box! Put me in a circle.”
NYU Education and Formative Training
To turn early passion into a lifelong profession, Haven moved across the country to attend New York University. Enrolling in the renowned Tisch School of the Arts, they honed their physical theater techniques, screen craft, and vocal training.
During their undergraduate years, Haven immersed themselves in New York City’s indie theater community and collaborated on cutting-edge student projects. They graduated with a degree from NYU in 2015, immediately catching the attention of casting directors and theatrical agents. Their professional credentials, early credits, and historical metadata are cataloged in the biographical registry at the Library of Congress, establishing an official record of their emergence as an actor.
Breakthrough Roles and Career Evolution
Haven’s transition from stage to screen was swift and multifaceted. Making their feature film debut in 2015, they quickly built a reputation for bringing grounded authenticity and quirky charm to a wide variety of genres. Whether appearing in high-concept Hollywood blockbusters, digital series like Nike’s 2016 production Margot vs. Lily, or avant-garde psychological horror, Haven consistently delivers memorable performances.
The table below illustrates the critical reception and stylistic range across their most prominent screen roles:
| Project | Release Year | Format | Role | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Saw the TV Glow | 2024 | Feature Film | Maddy Wilson | 85% |
| Bill & Ted Face the Music | 2020 | Feature Film | Billie Logan | 83% |
| Bombshell | 2019 | Feature Film | Julia Clarke | 68% |
| The Glass Castle | 2017 | Feature Film | Maureen Walls | 51% |
| Action Point | 2018 | Feature Film | Four Finger Annie | 16% |
| Atypical | 2017–2021 | TV Series (38 episodes) | Casey Gardner | Certified Fresh (Series Run) |
Brigette Lundy-Paine in Atypical
Haven’s undeniable breakout came in 2017 when they were cast as Casey Gardner in the acclaimed Netflix series Atypical. Across four seasons and all 38 episodes, Haven played the fiercely protective, track-star younger sister of Sam Gardner (played by Keir Gilchrist), a teenager on the autism spectrum.
Casey’s journey evolved from a supportive sibling dynamic into a nuanced exploration of identity, academic pressure, and queer romance. Casey’s relationship with Izzie (Fivel Stewart) became a beloved cornerstone of the series. Industry outlets widely praised the performance for steering clear of clichés, as tracked in Haven’s career profile on TV Insider.
Film Highlights: From Bill & Ted to I Saw the TV Glow
Alongside television success, Haven made an impact across notable studio and independent feature films:
- The Glass Castle (2017): Portraying Maureen Walls alongside Brie Larson and Woody Harrelson, Haven demonstrated their ability to hold the screen with industry veterans in complex familial dramas.
- Action Point (2018): In a turn toward physical comedy, Haven played Four Finger Annie opposite Johnny Knoxville in this tribute to theme park antics.
- Bombshell (2019): Haven appeared as Julia Clarke in this star-studded drama about the culture of Fox News, working alongside Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Margot Robbie.
- Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020): Taking on the role of Billie Logan, the daughter of Keanu Reeves’ Ted “Theodore” Logan, Haven studied Reeves’ original 1989 mannerisms. Critics widely hailed their performance as an uncanny, charming recreation of the character’s classic rock-and-roll cadence.
- I Saw the TV Glow (2024): Directed by Jane Schoenbrun, this psychological horror drama became Haven’s highest-rated film at 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Playing Maddy Wilson opposite Justice Smith’s Owen, Haven delivered an intense, layered performance that explored alienation, fandom obsession, and queer identity.
Recent and Screen Roles Through 2026
Haven has continued to push creative boundaries with daring cinema choices. In 2024, they starred in the supernatural horror film Amelia’s Children, exploring psychological dread in an isolated European estate.
Recent titles include the comedy-horror release Queens of the Dead, directed by Tina Romero, the indie drama Love, Brooklyn, and the 2026 genre piece Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, where Haven stars as the enigmatic character Little Death.
Personal Identity, Transition to Jack Haven, and Creative Ventures
Haven’s artistic journey has always moved hand-in-hand with their personal evolution. Rather than separating identity from expression, they have utilized their public profile to advocate for marginalized voices, equity, and artistic experimentation.
In November 2019, Haven publicly came out as non-binary via Instagram, confirming they use they/them pronouns. Describing their personal experience of gender as “a lil bit boy, lil bit girl, lil bit neither,” their candor provided comfort and validation to LGBTQ+ youth across the globe. Haven has consistently participated in community actions, including speaking out for Black Trans Futures, protesting for racial justice alongside Black Lives Matter, and advocating for universal healthcare access.
Gender Identity Journey and Name Change
In 2025, the actor announced they were adopting the name Jack Haven. The decision followed an artistic and personal awakening during an acting workshop led by celebrated Iranian-born transgender actor and theater director Saman Arastoo.
The name Jack Haven honors both their self-determined identity and their creative family heritage, carrying forward the spirit of their ancestor Haven Gillespie. While early career credits remain preserved under brigette lundy-paine across databases and film archives, Haven moves forward with a renewed focus on authentic transgender and non-binary representation in screenwriting and performance.
Beyond Acting: Brigette Lundy-Paine in Music and Publishing
Acting is only one facet of Haven’s creative expression. They often jokingly refer to their screen career as a “side show” to their musical and literary endeavors.
- Subtle Pride: While studying at NYU, Haven co-founded the voice ensemble Subtle Pride, an experimental vocal and pop-performance outfit. Combining improvisation, harmony, and surreal theater, the quartet has performed in galleries, clubs, and alternative spaces across New York.
- Waif Magazine: Demonstrating their passion for tangible print media and collaborative art, Haven co-founded Waif Magazine. The alternative arts and culture publication features interviews, photography, and creative writing from emerging artists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the actor’s current name and why did they change it?
The actor formerly credited as Brigette Lundy-Paine is now professionally and personally known as Jack Haven. They announced their name in 2025 following a theater workshop with director Saman Arastoo, choosing a name that reflects their personal gender evolution and honors their family roots.
What are Brigette Lundy-Paine’s highest-rated screen projects?
Their highest-rated project is the 2024 indie horror masterpiece I Saw the TV Glow, holding an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score. Other top-rated credits include Bill & Ted Face the Music (83%) and the critically acclaimed series run of Atypical.
When did Brigette Lundy-Paine publicly come out as non-binary?
Haven publicly came out as non-binary in November 2019 through a personal social media post, confirming their use of they/them pronouns.
Conclusion
Jack Haven’s career illustrates how passion, family heritage, and self-expression can create a compelling body of work. From childhood stagecraft in Bay Area theaters to major screen roles in Atypical and I Saw the TV Glow, Haven continues to challenge conventions and create meaningful art across acting, music, and independent publishing.
At Hudson Valley Wine Magazine, we value authentic craft, regional roots, and independent creativity—whether applied to filmmaking, theater, or taking tradition forward at Angry Orchard Cider House. True innovation thrives when artists remain dedicated to their unique voice and vision. As Jack Haven takes on new film roles and multidisciplinary projects through 2026 and beyond, their artistic trajectory remains an inspiring example of fearless authenticity.
