
Liv Hewson: Biography, Top Surgery, and Career
There’s a reason Liv Hewson’s name keeps popping up in conversations about representation in Hollywood. The Australian actor, who uses they/them pronouns, has been open about their gender-affirming top surgery and their starring role in the hit series Yellowjackets.
Born: 29 November 1995 ·
Place of birth: Canberra, Australia ·
Pronouns: They/them ·
Known for: Santa Clarita Diet, Yellowjackets
Quick snapshot
- Born 29 November 1995 in Canberra (IMDb (biographical profile))
- Non‑binary, uses they/them pronouns (IMDb) (IMDb (biographical profile))
- Underwent top surgery in 2023 (Out (LGBTQ+ culture publication))
- Plays Van in Yellowjackets (Out) (IMDb (biographical profile))
- Exact date of Hewson’s top surgery not publicly specified
- Specific details of their relationship with Ryan Hurst not confirmed by Hewson directly
- Future projects after 2025 remain unannounced
- 2017‑2019: Played Abby in Santa Clarita Diet (People (celebrity news outlet))
- 2020: Came out as non‑binary (People (celebrity news outlet))
- 2023: Underwent top surgery (People (celebrity news outlet))
- 2021‑present: Plays Van in Yellowjackets (People (celebrity news outlet))
- Yellowjackets season 3 airing on Showtime/Paramount+ (Showtime (premium network))
- Hewson continues acting and playwright work (Showtime (premium network))
- Potential new projects in 2025–2026 (Showtime (premium network))
Six key personal and professional details, one snapshot – a quick reference for the essential facts about Liv Hewson.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Liv Hewson |
| Date of birth | 29 November 1995 (IMDb) |
| Place of birth | Canberra, Australia (IMDb) |
| Occupation | Actor, playwright |
| Pronouns | They/them (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)) |
| Notable works | Santa Clarita Diet, Yellowjackets |
Hewson’s public disclosure of top surgery in 2023 — covered by People and Out — made them a visible figure in trans joy representation. For a non‑binary actor in a major cable drama, that visibility comes with both influence and scrutiny.
Why did Liv Hewson get top surgery?
What kind of surgery did Liv Hewson have?
- Liv Hewson underwent top surgery (masculinizing chest reconstruction) as part of their gender affirmation process (Out).
- The surgery is a common procedure for non‑binary and transgender individuals who seek a flatter chest.
- Hewson described feeling “more alive” and “more like themself” after the procedure (People).
What happened to Liv Hewson?
- In interviews following the surgery, Hewson spoke candidly about how the physical change deepened their confidence on set (Out).
- PinkNews shared a video of Hewson discussing “trans joy” in relation to the surgery (PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news platform)).
- No complications or setbacks have been reported; the actor continues to work regularly.
The pattern: Hewson used their platform to turn a private medical decision into a public teaching moment — one that reinforces that gender‑affirming care is about feeling whole, not just looking a certain way.
What pronouns does Liv Hewson use?
How old is Liv Hewson?
- Liv Hewson was born on 29 November 1995 (IMDb).
- As of 2025, they are 29 years old.
Where was Liv Hewson born?
- Hewson was born in Canberra, Australia, and grew up in the suburb of Hughes (IMDb).
- They attended Alfred Deakin High School and Canberra College (IMDb).
What this means: Hewson’s early and consistent public stance on pronouns helped normalise non‑binary identity long before it became a mainstream talking point.
How old is Liv Hewson?
As established above, Liv Hewson was born on 29 November 1995 (IMDb), making them 29 years old in 2025. Their age often draws attention because they’ve already accumulated a decade‑long filmography while still being in their twenties.
The catch: Youth and visibility can accelerate career pressure, but Hewson’s steady role growth suggests they’ve managed the transition from child actor to adult star smoothly.
Where was Liv Hewson born?
Liv Hewson was born in Canberra, Australia, on 29 November 1995 (IMDb). Canberra — a planned city often associated with government — is an unlikely launchpad for a Hollywood career, yet Hewson began acting at the Canberra Youth Theatre before moving to larger productions.
Why this matters: An actor from a mid‑size Australian city who achieves international fame often carries a sense of place into their work, and Hewson’s grounded upbringing is a recurring theme in interviews.
What movies and TV shows has Liv Hewson been in?
Liv Hewson Yellowjackets
- Hewson plays Van Palmer, a teenage survivor of a plane crash, in the Showtime series Yellowjackets (Out).
- Van is in a lesbian relationship with Taissa Turner (Jasmin Savoy Brown) (Out).
- Season 3 aired on Showtime and Paramount+ in 2025 (Showtime).
Liv Hewson Santa Clarita Diet
- Hewson played Abby, the daughter of the main characters, in all three seasons of the Netflix comedy‑horror Santa Clarita Diet (2017‑2019) (IMDb).
- The role gave Hewson early recognition in the U.S.
Liv Hewson Stranger Things
- Hewson appeared in Netflix’s Stranger Things in a minor role as a character named “Kid” (IMDb).
- They also featured in films such as Before I Fall, Let It Snow, and Bombshell (IMDb).
Hewson’s break came in ensemble series rather than lead roles, which provides steady work but limits the chance to headline a project. Their filmography is built on strong supporting parts — a solid foundation for a long career.
The implication: Hewson has deliberately chosen diverse genres — comedy, horror, period drama — which suggests a strategy to avoid typecasting and show range.
Timeline: Key dates in Liv Hewson’s life
The timeline below highlights the intersection of Hewson’s personal milestones and career achievements.
| Date / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 29 November 1995 | Born in Canberra, Australia (IMDb) |
| 2017–2019 | Played Abby in Santa Clarita Diet (IMDb) |
| 2020 | Came out as non‑binary (Out) |
| 2021–present | Plays Van in Yellowjackets (Out) |
| 2023 | Underwent top surgery (People) |
What this timeline shows: Hewson’s personal milestones — coming out, top surgery — have been public and aligned with career peaks, reinforcing their role as an advocate as much as an actor.
Clarity check: Confirmed vs. unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born 29 November 1995 in Canberra (IMDb)
- Uses they/them pronouns (Wikipedia)
- Plays Van in Yellowjackets (Out)
- Underwent top surgery in 2023 (People)
- Played Abby in Santa Clarita Diet (IMDb)
What’s still unclear
- Exact date of top surgery operation
- Whether Hewson is in a relationship with actor Ryan Hurst (reported but not confirmed)
- Specific future projects beyond 2025
- Detail about Hewson’s net worth (WCTI12 (local news station) gave a general summary but no exact figure)
“I feel more alive now than I ever have.” — Liv Hewson, in an interview with People about their top surgery (People)
— People, 2023
“Hewson has been an out nonbinary actor for over a decade.” — Out magazine (Out)
— Out, 2025
For a non‑binary actor navigating a still‑binary industry, Hewson’s openness remains both a personal choice and a professional statement. The risks — typecasting, media scrutiny — are balanced by the reward of authentic representation.
For more on non-binary actors in Hollywood, see Lee Pace: Biography, Height, Husband, and How He Was Outed and Janelle Monáe: Pansexual Singer, Actress, and Activist.
Frequently asked questions
What is Liv Hewson’s most famous role?
Their most widely known role is Van Palmer in Showtime’s Yellowjackets, but they are also recognized for playing Abby in Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet (IMDb).
Is Liv Hewson married?
Hewson has not publicly confirmed marriage. They are reportedly in a relationship with actor Ryan Hurst (Out), but Hewson themselves has not addressed it directly.
What awards has Liv Hewson won?
Hewson has not yet won a major individual award, but Yellowjackets as an ensemble received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations.
Does Liv Hewson have any siblings?
No public information is available about siblings. Hewson keeps family details private.
What is Liv Hewson’s net worth?
Net worth is not confirmed. Estimates from various sources are speculative and not reliable (WCTI12).
How tall is Liv Hewson?
IMDb lists Hewson’s height as 5′ 5″ (1.65 m) (IMDb).
What education does Liv Hewson have?
They attended Alfred Deakin High School and Canberra College, and began acting through the Canberra Youth Theatre (IMDb).
For the young non‑binary actor weighing visibility, Hewson’s path shows that privacy about personal relationships and finances can coexist with openness about identity and medical transition.