Joseph Zada Biography: Age, Height, Career, Movies, Girlfriend, Parents, Net Worth

Joseph Zada is an Australian actor who has gained international recognition for his performances in television dramas and major film adaptations.

He attracted wider attention for playing Johnny Sinclair Dennis in the mystery drama series We Were Liars and was later cast as young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. He is also set to portray Cal Trask in Netflix’s adaptation of East of Eden.

Early Life and Education

Joseph Zada was born on July 21, 2005, in Sydney, Australia, and grew up in a family with entertainment industry connections. He was born Joseph Cumpston and initially worked under that name before adopting Joseph Zada professionally.

His father, Jeremy Cumpston, is an actor, director, and medical doctor, while his mother, Jessica Brentnall, works as a film producer. His older half-brother, Hal Cumpston, is also an actor. Growing up around filmmaking gave Zada an early connection to the creative industry.

As a child, Zada was interested in sports, including football, and initially considered pursuing a sporting career. His interest in acting eventually became stronger, leading him to focus on auditions and developing his performance skills.

Zada left high school to pursue acting more seriously after his growing audition commitments affected his attendance. He subsequently concentrated on building professional experience through Australian film and television productions.

He has also spoken about his Afghan and Aboriginal heritage, and his surname Zada reflects his family background.

Career

Joseph Zada began his screen career in 2019, appearing in the Australian film Bilched as Toby. The film also featured his half-brother, Hal Cumpston, and was directed by his father, Jeremy Cumpston. This project gave Zada an early opportunity to work on a family-connected production and gain on-camera experience.

He continued developing his acting experience through smaller film and television appearances. In 2023, he appeared in The Speedway Murders as Dan and the short film David Jones Locker as Noel. These projects helped expand his screen credits before he began securing more prominent roles.

In 2024, Zada appeared in the Australian political drama series Total Control, playing Daniel. The series, starring Rachel Griffiths and Deborah Mailman, explored power, politics, and the experiences of an Indigenous Australian politician. His appearance added another television credit to his growing portfolio.

A significant step in his career came in 2025 when he played Charlie Roth in Invisible Boys, an Australian television drama based on Holden Sheppard’s novel. The series explored the lives of young gay men in a regional Australian community. His involvement helped introduce him to a wider television audience.

He gained further recognition through the psychological mystery series We Were Liars, adapted from E. Lockhart’s novel. Zada played Johnny Sinclair Dennis, a member of the wealthy Sinclair family whose summer on a private island becomes central to a mystery involving memory, family relationships, and a devastating incident. His co-stars included Emily Alyn Lind, Esther McGregor, Shubham Maheshwari, and Caitlin FitzGerald. The series helped establish him as a young actor capable of taking on emotionally demanding dramatic roles.

Zada’s career reached a major milestone in April 2025 when he was announced as the actor playing young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The film is based on Suzanne Collins’ novel and takes place decades before the events of the original The Hunger Games story. Woody Harrelson previously portrayed the older Haymitch in the original film series, giving Zada the challenge of developing an earlier version of an established character.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, the prequel features an ensemble cast that includes Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes, and Maya Hawke. Zada has said he drew inspiration from Harrelson’s interpretation of Haymitch while developing his own performance. He also praised working with experienced cast members, including Glenn Close. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on November 20, 2026.

Another major project for Zada is Netflix’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel East of Eden. He plays Cal Trask, a central character in the family drama. The role places him in a new adaptation of a literary work previously associated with the celebrated 1955 film starring James Dean. The Netflix production is led by Zoe Kazan and features Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, and Joe Anders. Working alongside this cast gives Zada another major opportunity to advance his career in an international production.

His professional connections include his Bilched co-star and half-brother Hal Cumpston, his father and Bilched director Jeremy Cumpston, and the casts and filmmakers behind Invisible Boys, We Were Liars, East of Eden, and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. These documented working relationships reflect his progression from Australian productions to internationally anticipated projects.

Filmography

• Bilched (2019)
• The Speedway Murders (2023)
• David Jones Locker (2023)
• Total Control (2024)
• Invisible Boys (2025)
• We Were Liars (2025)
• East of Eden (2026)
• The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026)

Personal Life

Joseph Zada keeps much of his personal life private. He comes from a family with strong ties to the entertainment industry, including his father, Jeremy Cumpston; his mother, Jessica Brentnall; and his half-brother, Hal Cumpston.

His family background contributed to his early exposure to filmmaking, though Zada has pursued his own acting opportunities through auditions and professional projects.

Reports have linked Zada romantically with Polly Talarico, but he hasn’t shared many details about their relationship publicly. He generally maintains a low profile outside his acting work.

Social Media Handles

Instagram: @josephzada

Joseph Zada’s Net Worth

Joseph Zada’s exact net worth is estimated between $500,000 and $1 million. His earnings are likely connected to his work in television series, films, and other acting engagements.

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