Dylan O’Brien returns to the dangerous world of The Maze Runner when sequel The Scorch Trials hits theaters. As the lead of a blockbuster YA franchise, as well as a star on MTV’s hit series Teen Wolf, this 23-year-old actor is one to watch. Here are 10 things you should know about him.
1. He earned his success.
O’Brien rose to stardom from YouTube, where he frequently posted videos he wrote, directed and starred in as early as high school. Interested in starting from the bottom just like he did? He’ll teach you how right now.
2. He got in on the celebrity lip-sync craze years before he was a celebrity.
While he was just an awkward teenager, O’Brien wasn’t afraid to expose his inner Spice Girls fanboy. Watch him moving and grooving to “Wannabe” below.
3. He’s already worked with some of the biggest names in comedy.
Ed Helms, Lizzy Caplan, Joe Lo Truglio, Rob Riggle, Horatio Sanz and Zach Woods were among O’Brien’s costars in the 2011 road-trip comedy High Road. Watch the trailer below.
4. He’s best friends with Teen Wolf costar Tyler Posey.
The chemistry is real, folks. “We are just like brothers,” O’Brien said during a Comic-Con panel when moderator Kevin Smith asked about their relationship offscreen. And the proof is in the press. Here are some of their best bromantic moments.
5. He loves Blink-182 and Chris Pratt as much as you do.
When asked by Entertainment Weekly who he’d like to “bro” out with in Hollywood, O’Brien said, “Definitely Tom DeLonge from Blink-182. He’s been my idol since I was seven years old. I love that guy. Or Chris Pratt.” Both are solid choices.
6. The dude rocks on the drums.
YouTube star, TV star, movie star and a rock star, too!? Yes, he’s done it all. And he’s only 23. Watch a music video he made with his former band, Slow Kids at Play.
7. He’s the Lord of the Dance.
Well, not THE Lord of the Dance, but he’s already gained a reputation for busting a move on set, during interviews, and pretty much anytime he feels like it. He’s a maniac, maniac on the floor, so watch O’Brien dance like he’s never danced before.
8. He’s the “Best Hero” of 2015, according to the MTV Movie Awards.
Pretty impressive, considering his idol Chris Pratt was also in the mix for his portrayal of Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy. O’Brien also beat out Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence, Divergent star Shailene Woodley and The Hobbit himself, Martin Freeman. Real heroes love puppies, so watch O’Brien cuddle with one on the red carpet.
9. He may be on the cusp of A-list status.
The Maze Runner was a launching pad for his dramatic acting career to get to the next level. This summer he shot Peter Berg’s offshore-oil-drilling-disaster drama Deepwater Horizon alongside Mark Wahlberg, Kate Hudson, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich and Gina Rodriguez. No trailer yet, so here’s O’Brien all oiled up on set.
10. He’s just as excited about The Scorch Trials as you are.
Watch O’Brien act like a giddy fanboy as a camera records his reaction to the first trailer for the sequel. “That was so cool,” he tells costar Ki Hong Lee, who plays Minho in the film.
