Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Penn Badgley

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Penn Badgley

Discover the career path of Penn Badgley, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Penn Badgley is an American actor and producer, most notably recognized for his portrayal of Dan Humphrey in the television series 'Gossip Girl' and Joe Goldberg in 'You'. His work spans over a decade, marking him as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

1980: Character Catapulted Back in Time

In 2002, Penn Badgley starred in Do Over as Joel Larsen, a 34-year-old man who gets a second chance to get his life right, thanks to a freakish accident that catapults him back to 1980 as a 14-year-old.

1987: Release of The Stepfather

In 2009, Penn Badgley starred in the thriller film The Stepfather, a remake of the 1987 film of the same name.

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1991: Jeff Buckley's 1991 Performance

In 2012, Penn Badgley portrayed Jeff Buckley in Greetings from Tim Buckley; the film follows the journey Buckley took in grappling with the legacy of his late musician father, Tim, leading up to and culminating with his 1991 performance of his father's songs.

1998: Recording Unreleased Pop Single

In 1998, at the age of 12, Penn Badgley recorded an unreleased pop single, which he later described as "terrible" and "misguided".

1999: Voice work for Mario Golf 64

In 1999, Penn Badgley's first credit was voice work for the video game Mario Golf 64.

2000: Debut on The Young and the Restless

In 2000, Penn Badgley began playing Phillip Chancellor IV on the soap opera The Young and the Restless.

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2000: Voice work for Mario Tennis 64

In 2000, Penn Badgley did voice work for the video game Mario Tennis 64.

2001: Left The Young and the Restless

In 2001, Penn Badgley stopped playing Phillip Chancellor IV on the soap opera The Young and the Restless.

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2002: Starred in Do Over

In 2002, Penn Badgley starred in The WB's comedy-drama series Do Over as Joel Larsen.

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2004: Starred in The Mountain

From 2004, Penn Badgley starred in The WB series The Mountain.

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2005: Starred in The Mountain

Until 2005, Penn Badgley starred in The WB series The Mountain.

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2006: Role in John Tucker Must Die

In 2006, Penn Badgley featured in the comedy film John Tucker Must Die.

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2006: Starred in The Bedford Diaries

In 2006, Penn Badgley starred in The WB series The Bedford Diaries.

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2007: Featured in Drive-Thru

In 2007, Penn Badgley featured in the comedy film Drive-Thru.

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2007: Cast in Gossip Girl

In 2007, Penn Badgley was cast as Dan Humphrey in The CW teen drama series Gossip Girl.

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2008: Supported Barack Obama

During the 2008 United States presidential election, Penn Badgley supported Barack Obama.

2009: Role in The Stepfather

In 2009, Penn Badgley featured in the thriller film The Stepfather.

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March 2010: Joined Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet

In March 2010, Penn Badgley was announced as a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet.

2010: Starred in Easy A

In 2010, Penn Badgley featured in the comedy film Easy A.

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2011: Starred in Margin Call

In 2011, Penn Badgley appeared in the financial thriller drama Margin Call, which was critically acclaimed.

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2011: Supported Occupy Wall Street

In 2011, Penn Badgley supported the Occupy Wall Street movement.

December 2012: Joined Parts per Billion Cast

In December 2012, Penn Badgley joined the cast of Parts per Billion.

2012: Role in Greetings from Tim Buckley

In 2012, Penn Badgley featured in the biographical film Greetings from Tim Buckley.

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2012: Gossip Girl Ended

In 2012, The CW teen drama series Gossip Girl, in which Penn Badgley starred as Dan Humphrey, concluded.

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2014: Release of Parts per Billion and Cymbeline

In 2014, Parts per Billion and Cymbeline were released, with Penn Badgley starring in both films.

2015: Recurring Role in The Slap

In 2015, Penn Badgley had a recurring role in NBC's miniseries The Slap.

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2015: Band Name Change

In 2015, Penn Badgley's band changed the spelling of their name from M O T H E R to MOTHXR, citing a cease-and-desist from another band with a similar name.

February 26, 2016: MOTHXR's Debut Album Release

On February 26, 2016, MOTHXR, the band formed by Penn Badgley and others, released their debut album Centerfold.

2016: Role in The Paper Store

In 2016, Penn Badgley featured in the drama film The Paper Store.

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September 2018: Starred in You

From September 2018, Penn Badgley starred as Joe Goldberg in the Netflix series You.

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2018: Cast in Netflix's You

In 2018, Penn Badgley began starring as Joe Goldberg in the Netflix psychological thriller series You.

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October 2019: Cast in Here Today

In October 2019, Penn Badgley was cast in the independent film Here Today.

May 2021: Release of Here Today

In May 2021, the independent film Here Today, in which Penn Badgley was cast, was released.

May 18, 2022: Launched Podcrushed Podcast

On May 18, 2022, Penn Badgley launched the podcast Podcrushed with cohosts Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari.

June 2024: Starred in Music Video

In June 2024, Penn Badgley starred with Brandy and Monica in the music video for Ariana Grande's "The Boy Is Mine".

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April 2025: Starred in You

Until April 2025, Penn Badgley starred as Joe Goldberg in the Netflix series You.

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2025: You Ended

In 2025, the Netflix psychological thriller series You, in which Penn Badgley starred as Joe Goldberg, concluded.

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