8 Best Actors in Their 20s: Hollywood’s Top Young Stars (2 of 5)

Keke Palmer

Age: 29

Keke Palmer has been acting for almost two decades, which is pretty impressive considering she isn’t even 30 yet. After her performance in “Barbershop 2,” she landed a coveted role as the star of Nickelodeon’s “True Jackson, VP.” She continues to impress as an adult, starring in “Lightyear,” “Alice,” and “Nope” in 2022 alone. But her role as Emerald in the Jordan Peele film Nope is what has earned her real critical acclaim.

Jharrel Jerome

Age: 25

Jharrel Jerome first garnered attention in 2016’s “Moonlight,” a drama that won Best Picture and seven other Academy Awards. Fast forward to 2019 and Jerome himself was winning awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his portrayal of Korey Wise in “When They See Us.” The 4-episode miniseries is based on a true story of five Black men falsely accused and convicted of sexually assaulting a white female jogger in Central Park in 1989. Portraying an actual person — especially when the plot revolves around highly emotional issues — is best left for those who are truly capable, and Jerome was clearly up for the challenge.