Jack Haven is best known as the actor who played Casey Gardner in the hit Netflix show Atypical. They grew up in a creative family, trained hard, and built a real career in film and TV. In 2025, they also shared a new name with the world and explained the beautiful story behind it.
Their journey is about more than just acting. It is about being honest, finding your identity, and having the courage to live openly. Many people know their face from the screen. But the full story goes much deeper than that.
Quick Facts: Jack Haven
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Former Name | Brigette Renee Lundy-Paine |
| Current Name | Jack Haven |
| Date of Birth | August 10, 1994 |
| Birthplace | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Parents | Laura Lundy and Robert Paine |
| School | New York University (2015) |
| Pronouns | They/Them |
| Best Known For | Atypical, I Saw the TV Glow |
Who Is Jack Haven?
Jack Haven is an American actor who uses they/them pronouns. Most fans first saw them as Casey Gardner on Atypical, a popular Netflix drama. That role made them famous and earned them a loyal fanbase all over the world.
But acting is only one part of who they are. They also make music, help run an art magazine, and speak up for issues they care about. Beyond the screen, they are a creative and thoughtful person with a lot to say.
Their story took a new turn in January 2025. That is when they announced a new name publicly. The name Jack Haven came from a personal and meaningful place. It was not just a new label. It was a statement about who they truly are.
Jack Haven’s Early Life
Jack Haven was born on August 10, 1994, in Dallas, Texas. Their parents, Laura Lundy and Robert Paine, are both actors and directors. Growing up with two creative parents made a big impact on their life. They also have a younger brother.
When Haven was just two years old, the family moved to Alameda, California. That is in the San Francisco Bay Area. Art and performance were always a big part of home life. Music, theater, and storytelling filled their childhood.
As a kid, Haven actually dreamed of becoming a scientist. They loved learning and exploring how things work. Over time, though, the pull of acting became too strong to ignore. Their creative roots ran deep.
One more special detail about their family stands out. Their great-granduncle is Haven Gillespie, a famous American songwriter. He wrote the beloved Christmas song Santa Claus Is Coming to Town. That family connection later became a very meaningful part of Haven’s own story.
School and Training
In 2012, Haven graduated from Encinal High School in Alameda. During their time there, they were a cheerleader. After high school, they moved to New York City to study acting properly.
They attended New York University, one of the top schools for the arts in the country. Hard work and dedication helped them finish their degree in 2015. Living and studying in New York gave them strong skills and real confidence.
Their parents had always supported their creative side. That support, combined with solid training, helped them get ready for the professional world. By the time they graduated, they were prepared to take on real roles.
How Jack Haven Started Acting
Shortly after finishing at NYU, Haven started landing acting jobs. One of their first roles came in the 2015 film Irrational Man. It was a small part, but it was a real start.
From there, they kept going. They took on more roles and kept growing as an actor. Each new part taught them something new about their craft. Their focus and commitment showed early on.
Then came the role that changed everything.
The Role That Made Jack Haven Famous
In 2017, Haven was cast as Casey Gardner in the Netflix series Atypical. The show followed a teenager with autism and his family. Casey was his younger sister. She was tough, athletic, and fiercely loyal.
Fans loved Casey from the very first episode. Haven brought real energy and heart to the role. The show ran for four full seasons, ending in 2021. By the time it was over, Haven had become one of the most recognized young actors on TV.
Playing Casey was not just a job. It was a chance to show real range and skill. Over four years, the character grew and changed. Haven grew right along with her.
Jack Haven in I Saw the TV Glow
After Atypical, Haven took on one of their most talked-about roles yet. In 2024, they starred in I Saw the TV Glow, directed by Jane Schoenbrun. The film quickly became one of the most discussed movies of the year.
Haven played a character named Maddy Wilson. The film explored identity, fear, and the feeling of not fitting in. Many viewers, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, connected with it deeply. Critics praised it widely.
The performance earned Haven a Gotham Awards nomination for Outstanding Supporting Performance. They were also nominated for a Best Supporting Performance award at the Independent Spirit Awards. On top of that, LGBTQ+ film critics group GALECA gave I Saw the TV Glow nine nominations for their 2025 Dorian Film Awards. Haven received a nomination for Supporting Film Performance of the Year.
It was a big moment. Their work in that film proved they could carry serious, layered roles with real power.
Other Film and TV Work
Jack Haven has appeared in many other projects over the years. The Glass Castle and Bill and Ted Face the Music are two well-known examples. They have also appeared in smaller independent films that showed their range as a performer.
Each project added something new to their career. Some roles were light and fun. Others were heavy and emotional. Haven showed they could handle both with ease.
Their filmography keeps growing. With each new role, they bring honesty and skill to the screen.
Music and Creative Projects
Not everyone knows this, but Haven has always loved music just as much as acting. They co-founded an improvisational vocal band called Subtle Pride. The group also includes Mina Walker, Zach Donovan, and Misha Brooks. Making music together brings Haven real joy.
Beyond music, Haven also helped start an art publication called Waif Magazine. It is a creative space for artists and writers. Starting it showed how much they care about building communities for other creatives.
These projects paint a fuller picture of who Haven is. Acting is one part of their life. Music, art, and community are the rest.
Coming Out as Non-Binary
In 2018, Haven came out publicly as queer. Then in 2019, they shared that they are non-binary and use they/them pronouns. The post they shared on Instagram was short but powerful.
They wrote: “I’m non-binary. Always felt a lil bit boy, lil bit girl, lil bit neither. Using they/them as of late and it feels right.” Simple words. For many fans, those words felt like a lifeline.
Coming out is never easy, especially when millions of people are watching. Haven did it anyway. That kind of honesty takes real courage.
Since then, they have spoken openly about gender identity and the importance of telling true stories. Many young people look to them as someone who understands what it means to live outside of easy labels.
The Story Behind the Name Jack Haven
In January 2025, Haven made a big and personal announcement. They told the world they were going by a new name. The post they shared on Instagram explained everything clearly.
They wrote: “I am changing my name, going by Jack Haven now. Haven is after my great great uncle, Haven Gillespie, who was a songwriter known for the Christmas hit ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,’ which he wrote on the subway in 15 minutes.”
The first name Jack came from a different place. Two years earlier, they had started using it in a workshop run by actor and director Saman Arastoo. At first, they only used it in safe spaces. Then Arastoo told them to use it in dangerous spaces too. So, as Haven wrote in their post, they started using it in the men’s bathroom.
That line made people smile and think at the same time. It was brave, honest, and a little funny. Fans and celebrities alike shared their love and support. The name felt right. And now it belongs fully to them.
Jack Haven and Activism
Haven has never been quiet about the things that matter to them. They use their platform to speak up, not just to promote projects. Activism is a real part of their life.
They have been vocal online in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Standing up for racial justice has been important to them for years. Their voice carries weight because it comes from a place of care.
The name change announcement in January 2025 also had a political layer. It came just days after Donald Trump’s inauguration, when he declared that the federal government would only recognize two genders. Haven shared their name publicly right in that moment. The timing was not an accident. It was a quiet act of defiance. It was also a clear reminder that identity cannot be erased by a policy.
Jack Haven’s Personal Life
Haven tends to keep their private life mostly to themselves. They do not share every detail of their daily world. Still, a few things are publicly known.
They have been in a long-term relationship with producer Sam Intili. Beyond that, Haven does not speak much about their personal relationships. They have never been married and do not have children.
Their focus stays on their work and their community. They live with intention and keep their inner circle small and trusted. That kind of quiet, grounded life suits them well.
Jack Haven Today
As of 2026, Jack Haven continues to act and create. Their career keeps moving forward. New roles and projects are ahead. Their name is now fully theirs in every space, public and private.
Their past work under the name Brigette Lundy-Paine is now credited to Jack Haven. The name lives across all their projects. It honors their family history and their personal truth.
They remain one of the most honest voices in their generation of actors. Fans respect them not just for their talent, but for their willingness to be real.
Final Thoughts
Jack Haven’s story is about finding your name and being brave enough to use it. It is about growing up in a creative family, working hard, and building something real. Along the way, they also found the courage to be fully themselves.
The name Haven carries family history and personal meaning at the same time. Their great-granduncle wrote a Christmas song on a subway in 15 minutes. That small, wonderful detail connects two generations through creativity and heart.
Jack Haven reminds us that identity takes time to find. And once you find it, you use it everywhere, even in the spaces that feel hardest. That is not a small thing. That is everything.
For more stories like this, visit Height Magazine.
