Max Thieriot is an American actor, writer, producer, and director known for his versatility in family films, thrillers, and television dramas. He began his career with early roles in family movies like Catch That Kid and The Pacifier, showing a strong screen presence. As his career progressed, Thieriot took on more complex roles and established himself as a dependable lead in character-driven projects.
Thieriot received critical and audience acclaim for his role as Dylan Massett in Bates Motel and later as Clay Spenser in SEAL Team. He currently stars as Bode Donovan in CBS’s Fire Country, a series he co-created and produces, highlighting his work behind the camera. Beyond entertainment, he co-owns vineyards in Sonoma County, California, showing his entrepreneurial interests.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Maximillion Drake Thieriot
- Stage Name: Max Thieriot
- Born: October 14, 1988
- Age: 37 years old
- Birthplace: Los Altos Hills, California, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Actor, Writer, Producer, Director
- Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m)
- Parents: George Cameron Thieriot and Bridgit Ann
- Siblings: Frances “Frankie” Cameron Thieriot Stutes and Aidan Thieriot
- Spouse: Lexi Murphy (M. 2013)
- Children: Beaux Thieriot, Maximus DeYoung Thieriot
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $2 million USD
Early Life and Education
Max Thieriot was born on October 14, 1988, in Los Altos Hills, California, to George Cameron Thieriot and Bridgit Ann (née Snyder). He has one older sister and one younger brother. Raised in Occidental, Sonoma County, he comes from a family with deep media roots; his great-great-grandfather, M.H. de Young, co-founded the San Francisco Chronicle.
Thieriot attended Sonoma Country Day School in Santa Rosa and graduated from El Molino High School in Forestville in 2006. He discovered acting through an improvisation class and began modeling for Gap as a teenager, which led him into the entertainment industry.

Career
Max Thieriot began his acting career at 15 with his feature-film debut in the adventure comedy Catch That Kid (2004), quickly marking himself as a rising young talent. He became known for his work in mainstream, family-friendly films in the mid-2000s, most notably starring opposite Vin Diesel in Disney’s The Pacifier (2005). He continued building his early résumé with roles in Nancy Drew (2007) alongside Emma Roberts and Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008), solidifying his reputation as a dependable young actor.
As Thieriot matured, he shifted away from child and teen roles toward darker, more complex material. This transition began with the psychological thriller Chloe (2009), in which he starred opposite Julianne Moore, followed by Wes Craven’s horror film My Soul to Take (2010). He further demonstrated his dramatic range in ensemble-driven, socially themed projects such as Disconnect (2012), while also maintaining a presence in commercial thrillers like House at the End of the Street (2012) opposite Jennifer Lawrence and the action remake Point Break (2015).
Thieriot’s major television breakthrough came with his role as Dylan Massett on A&E’s critically acclaimed series Bates Motel (2013–2017). Playing the conflicted half-brother of Norman Bates allowed him to explore layered emotional storytelling and earned praise for his grounded, intense performance. During this period, he also appeared in the historical miniseries Texas Rising (2015), expanding his TV portfolio and reinforcing his versatility across genres.
In 2017, Thieriot joined the CBS military drama SEAL Team as Navy SEAL Clay Spenser, a role he played until 2022 and one that became a fan favorite for its emotional realism and character development. That same year, he reached a major milestone by co-creating Fire Country, in which he stars as Bode Donovan, a convicted man seeking redemption through a prison firefighting program. In addition to leading the series, Thieriot serves as executive producer and occasional writer, helping shape its creative direction. The show’s success led to the spinoff Sheriff Country (2025–present), where he appears as a guest. Outside of entertainment, he is also a co-owner of Senses Wines, a boutique vineyard in Occidental, California, which he runs with childhood friends.
Awards and Nominations
- Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actor (The Pacifier, 2006).
- Young Artist Award win for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Ensemble Cast (Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, 2009, shared with cast).
- Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV Actor: Drama (Bates Motel, 2016).
Social Media
- Instagram Handle: @maxthieriot
Personal Life

Max Thieriot, 37, is a devoted family man who values his Northern California roots. He met his wife, Lexi Murphy, as a teenager on a family vacation in the Caribbean. They were high school sweethearts who dated for about 7 years and married on June 1, 2013, in Arizona. They have two sons: Beaux (born December 2015) and Maximus DeYoung (born January 2018, named in part after Max’s full name).
The family lives in Occidental, where Max co-owns vineyards, including sourcing from his parents’ B.A. Thieriot Vineyard, and enjoys outdoor activities like surfing, horseback riding, and basketball. He is known for his grounded lifestyle, with 19 pets, and he keeps a strong emphasis on family time amid his busy career.
Filmography
- Catch That Kid (2004, debut role)
- The Pacifier (2005, as Seth Plummer)
- Nancy Drew (2007, as Ned Nickerson)
- Jumper (2008, younger version of the lead)
- Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008)
- Chloe (2009)
- My Soul to Take (2010)
- House at the End of the Street (2012)
- Disconnect (2012)
- Point Break (2015)
Television Series
- Bates Motel (2013–2017, as Dylan Massett)
- Texas Rising (2015 miniseries, as Jack Hays)
- SEAL Team (2017–2022, as Clay Spenser)
- Fire Country (2022–present, as Bode Donovan/Bode Leone; also co-creator/producer)
- Sheriff Country (2025+, guest as Bode Leone)
Net Worth
Max Thieriot is an American actor with an estimated net worth of $2 million USD. His income comes mainly from acting in films and long-running TV series, producing credits, residuals, and business ventures, such as his Senses Wine label in Sonoma County. Earnings have been steady from consistent television work, with additional revenue from vineyard operations.
