Cailee Spaeny (pronounced KAY-lee SPAY-nee; born July 24, 1998) is an American actress known for her dynamic range and rising prominence in film and television. She made her feature film debut in Pacific Rim Uprising (2018) and gained further attention for her role in Bad Times at the El Royale the same year. Her television work includes standout performances in the acclaimed miniseries Devs (2020) and Mare of Easttown (2021).
In 2023, Spaeny earned widespread critical acclaim for her portrayal of Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, a performance that won her the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival and a Golden Globe nomination. She continued to build momentum in 2024 with leading roles in the dystopian action film Civil War and the sci-fi horror Alien: Romulus.
Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and raised in Springfield, Missouri, Spaeny is one of nine siblings. She developed her passion for performance at Springfield Little Theatre, where she trained intensively in acting, voice, and dance, and starred as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz during the 2014–2015 season. With a strong background in theater and a rapidly expanding filmography, Spaeny is quickly becoming one of her generation’s most compelling talents.
