Rudy Pankow

August 12, 2025

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Rudy Pankow, born on August 12, 1998, is a rising American actor making his way to the top. After deciding to take on a career in acting, Pankow joined an acting institute and started performing in theater plays to gain some experience and practice. In 2017 and 2018, he started his acting career with roles in several short films before landing guest roles in the Netflix comedy-drama series, “The Politician,” and a true crime television series, “Solved.” In 2020, he was cast as one of the main characters in “Outer Banks,” which he continues to star in today. We celebrate his birthday by sharing his career highlights and fun facts here.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Rudeth Bartholomew Pankow

Nickname:

Rudy

Birth date:

August 12, 1998

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Leo

Height:

6' 0"

Relationship Status:

In a relationship

Net Worth:

$500 thousand

Background

Rudy Pankow, an American actor widely known for his role as J.J. Maybank in the Netflix teen drama, “Outer Banks,” was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska, on August 12, 1998. He attended Ketchikan High School, where he was quite sporty as he participated in soccer and cross-country events.

Two-minded about which career paths he wanted to embark on, Pankow finally chose to pursue a career in acting and joined an acting institute from 2016 to 2017. Thereafter, he enrolled at Michael Woolson Studios to practice his acting. After successfully completing his acting course, he started performing at a theater for more practice and first-hand experience and performed in “The Nutcracker,” “Mary Poppins,” and “Oliver Twist.” Within the same year, Pankow started his career in short films, including “Nobody Knows,” “11:47,” and “Do Good Things.” In 2018, he continued acting in short films such as “Not Me,” “Last Summer,” and “Deviant.” He appeared in his first Netflix series in 2019 in one episode of “The Politician” and two episodes of “Solved,” an American true crime series.

In 2020, Pankow landed a main role as J.J. Maybank in “Outer Banks,” a popular Netflix series that also earned him popularity in the acting industry. More recently, in 2022, Pankow landed a role in “Uncharted,” an action-adventure film.

Career timeline

2016

He Joins an Acting Institute

Pankow embarks on his acting career and gains acting experience at a theater.

2017

He Starts Acting in Short Films

Pankow gets his first acting role in “Nobody Knows.”

2019

He Appears in a Netflix Series

Pankow lands a guest role in “The Politician” and “Solved.”

2020

His Debut Main Role

Pankow gets a main character role in an ongoing Netflix series called “Outer Banks.”

2022

He Stars in “Uncharted”

Pankow gets a role in an action-adventure film.

Why We Love Rudy Pankow

His many talents
Pankow has proved to be talented in not just acting but in instruments, kayaking, and three languages too. Talk about a jack of all trades!
His excellent acting
Although he had just started his acting career, Pankow’s lead role in “Outer Banks” has brought him much recognition. There are greater things coming his way.
His great smile
If you haven’t noticed, Pankow’s dimpled smile is heart melting! He’s got quite the charm.

5 Surprising Facts

He’s a certified kayak guide
Being a water and fresh air lover has led Pankow to become a professional in kayaking.
He wanted to become a chef
Before acting, he wanted to enroll in culinary school but decided to pursue acting.
He showers in the dark
Pankow shared that he loves taking showers in the dark with candlelight.
He is multilingual
During high school, he studied French, Spanish, and Japanese and joined a foreign exchange student program in Japan.
He plays several instruments
Pankow is skilled in several instruments, such as the harmonica, drums, guitar, and piano.