Penn Badgley built his career playing two of television’s most talked-about characters: the lonely outsider Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl and the charming yet murderous Joe Goldberg on Netflix’s You. Between these defining roles, he has worked steadily in film, launched a music career, and started a family. This profile brings together the key facts about his age, background, personal life, and professional journey.
How Old Is Penn Badgley? Age, Height, and Background
Penn Dayton Badgley
November 1, 1986
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
38 years old
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Domino Kirke (m. 2017)
1 son
Estimated $8–10 million
Dan Humphrey (Gossip Girl), Joe Goldberg (You)
Penn Dayton Badgley was born on November 1, 1986, in Baltimore, Maryland, according to his Wikipedia entry and IMDb profile. He grew up moving between Virginia and Seattle after his parents separated. As of 2025, he is 38 years old.
His height is commonly reported as 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m), though not all authoritative sources consistently confirm this measurement. One biographical source lists this figure, but it remains unverified across the full set of reliable records.
- Full legal name: Penn Dayton Badgley
- Born in Baltimore, Maryland, raised in Virginia and Seattle
- Began acting professionally as a child in the late 1990s
- First credited TV appearance on Will & Grace (1998)
- Early roles included The Young and the Restless and What I Like About You
- Breakthrough role came with Gossip Girl (2007–2012)
- Further fame followed with Netflix’s You (2018–present)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Penn Dayton Badgley |
| Date of Birth | November 1, 1986 (Age 38 in 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Baltimore, Maryland, USA |
| Height | 5′ 9″ (1.75 m) |
| Spouse | Domino Kirke (married 2017) |
| Children | 1 son (born 2020) |
| Years Active | 1998–present |
| Famous For | Dan Humphrey (Gossip Girl), Joe Goldberg (You) |
Who Is Penn Badgley Married To? Wife, Kids, and Family Life
Penn Badgley married British-born singer and doula Domino Kirke in 2017. The couple maintains a relatively private life away from the Hollywood spotlight.
Marriage to Domino Kirke
Kirke is a musician and the sister of actress Jemima Kirke, known for Girls. Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke were married in a small ceremony in 2017, as confirmed by his Wikipedia biography and IMDb.
Does Penn Badgley Have Kids?
Yes, the couple has one child. Multiple biographical sources, including IMDb and celebrity biography sites, report that they welcomed a son in 2020. The child’s name has not been widely disclosed, and the family generally keeps details about their son out of the public eye.
Badgley and Kirke have both spoken selectively about parenthood, but they do not share images of their child on social media. The actor has described fatherhood as a grounding experience that contrasts sharply with the dark roles he plays on screen.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Penn Badgley Been In? Full Filmography
Badgley’s career spans more than two decades, with early television guest spots leading to major headlining roles. He is widely recognized for two iconic television characters, but his filmography includes both comedies and dramas.
What Is Penn Badgley’s Most Famous Role?
Two roles define his public image. From 2007 to 2012, he played Dan Humphrey, the Brooklyn-based aspiring writer and narrator of Gossip Girl. The show became a cultural phenomenon and made him a household name among millennial audiences. A decade later, he assumed the role of Joe Goldberg in Netflix’s psychological thriller You. The character—a bookstore manager with a dark, obsessive side—has garnered both critical acclaim and widespread recognition, introducing him to a new generation of viewers.
Film Credits
Badgley has appeared in several notable films. His early movie roles include the teen comedy John Tucker Must Die (2006) and the horror film Drive-Thru (2007). He later starred in The Stepfather (2009), the hit high school comedy Easy A (2010), the financial drama Margin Call (2011), and the biographical film Greetings from Tim Buckley (2012). More recently, he appeared in The Paper Store (2016).
Was Penn Badgley in Gossip Girl?
Yes. He played Dan Humphrey across all six seasons of Gossip Girl on The CW. The series finale revealed his character as the anonymous blogger “Gossip Girl,” a twist that remains one of the most debated moments in the show’s history.
What Character Does Penn Badgley Play in You?
He plays Joe Goldberg, a serial killer who frequently justifies his violent actions through a distorted sense of romantic devotion. The role required him to explore moral ambiguity and has sparked ongoing discussions about the glamorization of anti-heroes in modern television.
Dan Humphrey and Joe Goldberg share a surface similarity—both are bookish, observant outsiders—but their moral universes are opposite. Badgley has remarked in interviews that playing Joe Goldberg felt like a deliberate departure from the “nice guy” persona he had cultivated during his Gossip Girl years.
What Is Penn Badgley’s Net Worth in 2025?
Estimates of Penn Badgley’s net worth vary considerably across published sources. Some outlets place his wealth around $4 million, while others suggest a range of $8–10 million. These figures are inconsistent, and none of the available results represent an authoritative financial disclosure. Because his earnings from You, music projects, and a podcast are not publicly reported, the precise figure remains uncertain. What is clear is that his career has remained active and diverse, spanning acting, music, and digital media.
What Is Penn Badgley Doing Now? Current Projects in 2025
Badgley remains busy across multiple creative fronts. He continues to star in You, with a fifth and final season expected to air around 2025 or 2026. Beyond acting, he co-hosts the podcast Podcrushed, which explores topics related to adolescence and mental health. He also continues to make music with his band Mōzi (formerly Mothxr). No major film projects have been announced for the first part of 2025, but his schedule remains full.
Is Penn Badgley on Social Media?
Yes. He maintains an official Instagram account under the handle @pennbadgley and an X (formerly Twitter) account at @PennBadgley. His posting style is understated compared to many celebrities, and he occasionally uses the platforms to promote his podcast or share reflections on his work.
The actor has spoken publicly about the discomfort he sometimes feels playing a character like Joe Goldberg. In several interviews, he emphasized that his on-screen persona does not reflect his real-life values. This distinction is important for audiences who may struggle to separate the fictional killer from the actor who portrays him.
Penn Badgley Career Timeline
- 1986 – Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 1.
- 1998 – First acting role on Will & Grace.
- 2000–2005 – Early TV roles on The Young and the Restless and What I Like About You.
- 2007–2012 – Rose to fame as Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl.
- 2010 – Formed the band Mōzi (originally Mothxr).
- 2017 – Married musician Domino Kirke.
- 2018–present – Stars as Joe Goldberg in Netflix’s You.
- 2020 – Becomes father to a son.
- 2022–2025 – Continues You, launches Podcrushed podcast, and works on new music.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Penn Badgley
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born November 1, 1986, in Baltimore, Maryland. | Net worth is widely estimated between $8–10 million, but exact earnings are not public. |
| Married to Domino Kirke since 2017. | His height is reported as 5’9”, but some sources list 5’8”. The most reliable consensus from IMDb is 5’9”. |
| Has one child, a son born in 2020. | His social media posting cadence varies; some accounts are more active than others. |
| Portrays Joe Goldberg in You (Netflix) and played Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl (The CW). | Rumors about type-casting as a “creepy” role are anecdotal; he has stated that he consciously chose the role of Joe Goldberg. |
Why Does Penn Badgley’s Career Trajectory Matter?
Badgley’s move from Gossip Girl to You represents one of the more dramatic shifts in recent television history. He transitioned from a teen heartthrob role to a psychologically complex anti-hero, a pivot that required audiences to see him in an entirely new light. His off-screen interests—music, podcasting, and fatherhood—have further diversified his public identity and helped him avoid being defined solely by a single character. The popularity of You has also expanded his fan base across generations, connecting millennial viewers who remember him from the Upper East Side with Gen Z audiences drawn to the darker tone of the Netflix series. For readers interested in similar career arcs, the biography of Joshua Jackson – Biography, Relationships and Doctor Odyssey offers a comparable story of a teen-drama star who successfully transitioned into more mature roles.
Which Sources Provide the Most Reliable Information About Penn Badgley?
The most comprehensive and authoritative source for biographical information about Penn Badgley is his Wikipedia entry, which includes citations for his birth date, marriage, and career milestones. For filmography and credit verification, IMDb provides a complete list of his acting credits. His Instagram and X (Twitter) accounts offer direct, if informal, updates on his current projects and personal interests. Netflix’s official page for You serves as the authoritative source for information about his most prominent ongoing role.
“Badgley (born November 1, 1986) is an American actor and producer. He is known for his roles as Dan Humphrey in The CW teen drama series Gossip Girl…”
Wikipedia
“In 2017, Badgley married singer Domino Kirke.”
Wikipedia
“Penn Badgley returns for a fourth season as Joe…”
IMDb
What Is the Overall Summary of Penn Badgley’s Life and Career?
Penn Badgley is an American actor and producer who rose to prominence through two defining television roles—Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl and Joe Goldberg on You—while maintaining a parallel creative life in music and podcasting. He was born in Baltimore in 1986, married Domino Kirke in 2017, and has one son. His estimated net worth remains uncertain due to inconsistent public reporting. As of 2025, he continues to act, produce his podcast Podcrushed, and create music with his band. For another comprehensive look at a multi-talented entertainer, the profile of Justin Timberlake – Complete Biography and Career Overview covers similar ground in terms of career evolution and personal milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions About Penn Badgley
What is Penn Badgley’s full name?
His full name is Penn Dayton Badgley.
Is Penn Badgley on Instagram?
Yes, his Instagram handle is @pennbadgley.
How tall is Penn Badgley?
He is 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall according to most sources, though some variation exists.
Does Penn Badgley have kids?
Yes, he has one son born in 2020 with his wife Domino Kirke.
When did Penn Badgley get married?
He married Domino Kirke in 2017.
What is Penn Badgley’s most famous role?
He is best known for playing Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl and Joe Goldberg on You.
How old is Penn Badgley?
He was born on November 1, 1986, making him 38 years old in 2025.
Was Penn Badgley in a band?
Yes, he was the lead singer of the indie band Mōzi (originally called Mothxr).
What is Penn Badgley’s net worth?
Estimates range from $4 million to $10 million, but no authoritative financial disclosure exists.
Is Penn Badgley still acting?
Yes, he continues to star in the Netflix series You and works on other creative projects.
Victoria Winslow is Editor-in-Chief at ShowbizUK.co.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, editorial standards, publication decisions, source review and content quality across the publication.