Ashby Gentry: Full Biography, Career, Net Worth, and Life in 2026
Ashby Gentry is an American actor born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He is best known for playing Alex Walter in the Netflix teen drama My Life with the Walter Boys, which premiered in December 2023 and became one of the most talked-about streaming shows among younger audiences that year. Before landing that role, he spent several years building experience through short films, a music video, and a television guest appearance. He is now one of the most recognizable young actors working in the streaming space.
Quick Bio Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ashby Gentry |
| Date of Birth | July 30, 1999 |
| Age (2026) | 26 years old |
| Birthplace | Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Education | Local high school in Phoenix; graduated 2019 |
| Profession | Actor |
| Breakthrough Role | Alex Walter in My Life with the Walter Boys (Netflix, 2023) |
| Other Notable Work | Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2022), Mooch (2025) |
| Instagram Followers | 800,000+ |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated $1 million – $2 million |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Union Membership | Screen Actors Guild (SAG) |
Early Life and Background
Ashby Gentry was born on July 30, 1999, in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in Phoenix and attended a local high school there. From an early age, he was drawn to performance. He took part in school theater productions and developed skills in music alongside his interest in acting.
He is proficient in both guitar and piano and has shown an interest in singing and songwriting. These musical abilities have stayed part of his creative identity even as his professional focus shifted toward acting. He graduated from high school in 2019 and began pursuing acting full-time shortly after.
His early inspiration came from fantasy and adventure films. He has pointed to movies like The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars as works that first sparked his imagination and made him want to be part of storytelling through film and television.
Professional Acting Debut
Ashby made his first professional acting appearance in 2018 in a short film titled Speechless. That same year, he appeared in a music video for the band Belaganas for their song Silk. These early credits were small but gave him his first experience working on professional productions.
In 2022, he landed a guest role in the reboot of the 1990s Nickelodeon horror anthology series Are You Afraid of the Dark? He played a character named Porter. The show had strong name recognition from its original run, and appearing in the revival gave Ashby a first taste of working on a well-known television property.
These early steps built the foundation he needed for the bigger opportunity that came the following year.
Breakthrough: My Life with the Walter Boys
Ashby’s career changed completely when he was cast as Alex Walter in the Netflix series My Life with the Walter Boys. The show is based on a popular young adult novel written by Ali Novak, which originally gained a massive readership on the writing platform Wattpad before being published as a full book.
The series follows a teenage girl named Jackie who moves from New York City to rural Colorado after losing her family and is taken in by the Walter family, which includes a large number of boys. Alex Walter is one of the central characters in the story, the thoughtful, emotionally expressive, and deeply caring middle brother who becomes a key part of Jackie’s emotional journey.
The show premiered on Netflix in December 2023 and reached number one on the platform shortly after its release. Ashby’s Instagram following jumped from around 2,000 followers before the show to over 100,000 almost immediately after it launched. The show connected strongly with teenage and young adult viewers around the world.
Ashby has spoken about finding genuine personal connection with the character of Alex. He described Alex as someone defined by extreme intentionality in his relationships and an unrestrained ability to express love. He said the biggest part of himself he brought to the character was Alex in love.
Season 2 of My Life with the Walter Boys
My Life with the Walter Boys returned for a second season, which premiered on Netflix on August 28, 2025. Ashby reprised his role as Alex Walter across all ten episodes of the second season. The season centers partly on Alex going through a significant physical and personal transformation over the summer.
In an interview with People magazine, Ashby described preparing for the season with a mix of humor and honesty. He said he tried four different hairstyles, worked hard to get in good physical shape, and paid close attention to his skin. He said the storyline put a lot of pressure on him and that it was genuinely difficult not to read it as a backhanded compliment when characters in the show started commenting on how he had become more attractive.
He appeared on CBS Mornings Plus in August 2025 to promote the season alongside co-stars Nikki Rodriguez and Noah LaLonde. By this point, Ashby had established himself as one of the main names associated with the show.
Mooch (2025)
Alongside the second season of My Life with the Walter Boys, Ashby appeared in the independent film Mooch in 2025. In the film, he plays a character named Joey Simisomo, the son of an Italian nightclub owner played by actor Scott Cohen.
Mooch examines themes of wealth, status, and social identity. The role represented a deliberate step toward more varied and adult-oriented work after his television breakthrough. Taking on an independent film role with a different tone showed his interest in expanding beyond the genre he became known for.
Screen Actors Guild and Industry Values
Ashby is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. In 2023, when the Writers Guild of America went on strike over issues related to fair pay and the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry, Ashby joined SAG members in picketing in support of the writers. This decision reflected an awareness of labor issues within the industry at a time when many younger actors were just beginning their careers.
Personal Life and Relationships
Ashby Gentry keeps his personal life private. He has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships as of 2026. No verified information exists about him being in a relationship, being engaged, or dating anyone. He maintains this privacy consistently and has not addressed relationship questions in any known interview.
He is known for being thoughtful and measured in how he discusses his personal life publicly. His focus in interviews tends to stay on his craft, his characters, and his career goals rather than his private life.
Social Media
Ashby is active on Instagram under his own name. He had around 800,000 followers as of late 2025, a figure that grew significantly from the very small following he had before My Life with the Walter Boys launched. His account features promotional content related to his projects, personal photos, and behind-the-scenes moments from his work.
He does not maintain a significant presence on other platforms. His social media approach mirrors his general preference for keeping his public presence focused on his work rather than his personal life.
Musical Abilities
Beyond acting, Ashby has genuine musical talent. He plays both guitar and piano and has spoken about his interest in songwriting. These skills came from years of participation in school musical productions and personal practice.
His musical background informs his approach to performance. Understanding rhythm, timing, and emotional expression through music translates directly into the kind of nuanced character work he has been praised for on screen.
Net Worth in 2026
Ashby Gentry’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $2 million as of 2026. This estimate accounts for his acting income from two full seasons of a major Netflix series, his independent film work in Mooch, his earlier television and short film credits, and any brand-related income tied to his growing public profile.
His exact earnings are not publicly confirmed. Netflix does not release individual cast salaries. As a lead cast member of a show that ranked number one on the platform globally, his per-episode compensation is expected to be meaningfully higher in season two than it was in season one based on the show’s success.
What Sets Him Apart
Several things have been noted about Ashby Gentry by critics and industry observers since his breakthrough. His ability to portray emotional depth without overplaying it stands out in a genre where teen drama can often slide toward exaggerated performance.
He has described his approach to Alex Walter as one of careful specificity. He does not play the character as a broad type but as a specific person with particular habits, fears, and ways of expressing care. This specificity is part of what connected with audiences who felt the character was realistic rather than idealized.
His decision to move into independent film work with Mooch rather than waiting for another large streaming role also shows a level of intentionality about building a varied career rather than repeating the same formula.
Career Outlook
As of 2026, Ashby Gentry is 26 years old and in the early stages of what appears to be a building career. He has two seasons of a successful Netflix show, a Nickelodeon revival appearance, and an independent film to his credit. He has a growing social media following and industry recognition from both audiences and professional observers.
He has expressed a desire to return to the theater and to take on projects with greater emotional and narrative complexity as his career develops. Whether that comes through more independent films, a return to television in a different kind of role, or stage work, his stated priorities suggest he is focused on growth as a performer rather than simply maintaining visibility.
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FAQ
1. Who is Ashby Gentry?
He is an American actor born on July 30, 1999, in Phoenix, Arizona. He is best known for playing Alex Walter in the Netflix series My Life with the Walter Boys.
2. How old is Ashby Gentry in 2026?
He is 26 years old. He will turn 27 on July 30, 2026.
3. Where is Ashby Gentry from?
He was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona.
4. What is Ashby Gentry’s most famous role?
His most recognized role is Alex Walter in My Life with the Walter Boys on Netflix, which premiered in December 2023.
5. Is Ashby Gentry in season 2 of My Life with the Walter Boys?
Yes. Season 2 premiered on Netflix on August 28, 2025, and Ashby appeared in all ten episodes.
6. What other projects has Ashby Gentry been in?
He appeared in the short film Speechless in 2018, a Belaganas music video in 2018, Are You Afraid of the Dark? in 2022, and the independent film Mooch in 2025.
7. What is Ashby Gentry’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated between $1 million and $2 million as of 2026. The exact figure is not publicly confirmed.
8. Does Ashby Gentry have a girlfriend?
He has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationship. His personal life remains private.
9. How many Instagram followers does Ashby Gentry have?
He has over 800,000 followers on Instagram as of late 2025.
10. Can Ashby Gentry play musical instruments?
Yes. He plays guitar and piano and has an interest in singing and songwriting.
11. Is Ashby Gentry a member of the Screen Actors Guild?
Yes. He is a SAG member and participated in picket line support for the Writers Guild of America during the 2023 strike.
12. What character does Ashby Gentry play in Mooch?
He plays Joey Simisomo, the son of an Italian nightclub owner played by Scott Cohen, in the 2025 independent film Mooch.
