Joseph Zada: The Rising Australian Star Taking Hollywood by Storm
When The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping trailer dropped in November 2025, fans worldwide discovered a fresh face bringing young Haymitch Abernathy to life. Joseph Zada, a 20-year-old Australian actor, is stepping into one of the franchise’s most beloved roles, marking a career-defining moment that’s been years in the making.
From Australian productions to major international streaming platforms, Joseph Zada’s journey reflects raw talent, family influence, and dedication to his craft. With standout performances in We Were Liars, Invisible Boys, and upcoming roles in Netflix’s East of Eden, this Sydney-born actor is proving he’s already arrived.
Who is Joseph Zada? The Actor Behind Young Haymitch
Joseph Zada, born Joseph Cumpston on July 21, 2005, in Sydney, Australia, has quickly become one of entertainment’s most promising young talents. At just 20, he’s built an impressive portfolio spanning Australian independent films, critically acclaimed television series, and Hollywood’s biggest franchises.
Growing up in a creative household, Joseph was exposed to storytelling from an early age. His father, Jeremy Cumpston, is a former actor from All Saints who became a cosmetic physician and director. His mother, Jessica Brentnall, is an executive producer and writer with credits including Rabbit-Proof Fence.
Despite this artistic environment, Joseph initially resisted acting, viewing it as “cringe” during his teens. His older brother, Hal Cumpston, who starred in The Walking Dead: World Beyond, helped pave the way. Joseph has three younger siblings—River, Camille, and Oscar. Through his paternal great-grandmother, he has Afghan-Aboriginal heritage.
Joseph Zada’s Biography: Complete Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph Cumpston |
| Stage Name | Joseph Zada |
| Date of Birth | July 21, 2005 |
| Age | 20 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 78 kg (172 lbs) |
| Ethnicity | Afghan-Aboriginal heritage |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Local schools in Sydney; possibly Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts |
| Profession | Actor |
| Years Active | 2019–present |
| Father | Jeremy Cumpston (actor, director, doctor) |
| Mother | Jessica Brentnall (film producer, writer) |
| Siblings | Hal Cumpston (older brother, actor), River, Camille, Oscar (younger siblings) |
| Relationship Status | Single (as of 2025) |
| Notable Achievements | Lead role in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, starring in We Were Liars, Invisible Boys, East of Eden |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1-2 million USD (2025) |
| Representation | CAA, Untitled Entertainment, RGM, Goodman Genow |
Breaking Through: Invisible Boys and We Were Liars
Joseph’s acting journey began in 2019 with the Australian indie film Bilched, directed by his father and written by his brother Hal. His breakthrough came with the 2025 Stan Original series Invisible Boys, where he played Charlie Roth. Based on Holden Sheppard’s novel, the series follows four gay teenagers navigating identity and acceptance in small-town Western Australia. Joseph’s portrayal earned widespread critical acclaim, with The Guardian praising his “depth and complexity.”
His transition to international platforms accelerated with Amazon Prime Video’s We Were Liars, which premiered in June 2025. As Johnny Sinclair Dennis, one of four central characters in this adaptation of E. Lockhart’s bestselling novel, Joseph captured the “salt, swagger, and reckless abandon” of a privileged teenager. To prepare, he studied tennis legend John McEnroe and read The Great Gatsby to embody old-money American aristocracy.
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The Hunger Games: Joseph Zada as Young Haymitch Abernathy
In April 2025, Joseph’s career reached a watershed moment when Lionsgate announced he would play young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The film, releasing November 20, 2026, takes place 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story, focusing on the 50th Hunger Games.
Joseph was chosen from hundreds of global auditions. The star-studded cast includes Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, and Maya Hawke. When the first trailer dropped in November 2025, it shattered records with 109 million global views in 24 hours—Lionsgate’s second-biggest trailer launch ever.
Joseph’s next major project is Netflix’s East of Eden, adapted from John Steinbeck’s classic novel. Playing Cal Trask—famously portrayed by James Dean in 1955—Joseph stars alongside Florence Pugh and Christopher Abbott in this emotionally complex drama set for 2026 release.
What Makes Joseph Zada Stand Out
Joseph excels at portraying emotionally complex characters with remarkable depth. Despite his easy smile and disarming Australian accent, he brings authenticity and vulnerability to tortured young men grappling with inner demons. His meticulous preparation—from studying real-world figures to classic literature—demonstrates maturity beyond his years.
His performance in Invisible Boys earned him a nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards. As of 2025, Joseph’s estimated net worth ranges between $1-2 million USD, with earnings from his major roles and representation by top agencies including CAA and Untitled Entertainment.
Joseph maintains a relatively private personal life, with Instagram (@josephzada, 247K+ followers) as his primary social media platform. At 20, he’s single and focused on building his career rather than pursuing romance in the public eye.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Joseph Zada
How old is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada was born on July 21, 2005, making him 20 years old as of 2025. Despite his young age, he’s already accumulated an impressive body of work spanning Australian and international productions.
Is Joseph Zada related to Hal Cumpston?
Yes, Hal Cumpston is Joseph’s older brother. Hal is known for his role in The Walking Dead: World Beyond and as a writer-producer. The brothers appeared together in their father Jeremy Cumpston’s 2019 film Bilched, with Hal writing the screenplay and Joseph acting in the movie.
What is Joseph Zada’s real name?
Joseph’s birth name is Joseph Cumpston. He adopted the stage name “Joseph Zada” professionally, drawing from his family heritage. The name Zada comes from his paternal great-great-grandfather, Khan Zada, who was of Pashtun ethnicity.
Where can I watch Joseph Zada’s shows and movies?
You can watch Joseph in We Were Liars on Amazon Prime Video, Invisible Boys on Stan Australia, and Total Control on various platforms. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping releases in theaters November 20, 2026, and East of Eden is coming to Netflix in 2026.
Has Joseph Zada won any awards?
Joseph received a nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series at the AACTA Awards for his performance in Invisible Boys. While he hasn’t won major awards yet, industry experts predict more nominations as his career progresses.
What is Joseph Zada’s height?
Joseph Zada stands 6 feet 1 inch tall (1.85 meters), with an athletic build. His height and physical presence make him well-suited for action roles like Haymitch Abernathy.
Is Joseph Zada on social media?
Joseph maintains an Instagram account (@josephzada) with over 247,000 followers, though he posts infrequently. He doesn’t appear to have official public accounts on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, or other platforms, preferring to keep his personal life private while focusing on his career.
