On-stage, Moretz's work includes her starring role in the originaloff-Broadway production ofThe Library (2014) atThe Public Theater in New York City.[3] In September 2025, she will star in the off-Broadway production ofCaroline at theMCC Theater.[4][5]
Early life
Moretz was born inAtlanta, Georgia, and raised inCartersville, Georgia.[6] Her mother, Teri Duke,[7] is anurse practitioner, and her father, Dr. McCoy "Mac" Moretz (1957–2021), was a plastic surgeon, and heir to the Moretzhosiery business, bought out in 2011 for $350 million.[8][9][10][11][12] She has four older brothers: Brandon, Trevor, Colin, and Ethan.[13] An older sister, Kathleen, died shortly after birth.[14] She has described her family as "very Christian", specificallySouthern Baptist.[15][16] She moved to New York City in 2002, with her mother and brother Trevor, because he had been accepted into theProfessional Performing Arts School, which is what first drew her interest in acting. Moretz would help Trevor read lines.[17]
In 2008, Moretz appeared in the Disney animated filmBolt as a younger version ofMiley Cyrus' character. In 2010, Moretz appeared asHit-Girl in directorMatthew Vaughn'saction filmKick-Ass, based on thecomic book series of the same name byMark Millar andJohn Romita Jr. Moretz trained withJackie Chan's stunt crew for three months prior to filming and did most of her own stunts while filming on location.[20] Because of her youth, there was controversy about her role in the violent film. She received critical acclaim for her performance.Roger Ebert gave the film only one star,[21] but wrote about Moretz: "Say what you will about her character, but Chloë Grace Moretz has presence and appeal." That same year, she played Abby, a 12-year-old vampire, inLet Me In (2010),[22] the UK/US remake of the Swedish filmLet the Right One In.[23]
Moretz has done voice work for video games. She reprised her role as Hit-Girl forKick-Ass: The Game, and played young Lady Emily inDishonored.[32] When asked in October 2012 why she tends to gravitate towards playing darker, troubled characters, Moretz responded that she has such a happy family life, and finds it challenging to play characters who are significantly different.[33] From March 25 through April 27, 2014, Moretz made herOff-Broadway debut inThe Library, directed bySteven Soderbergh.[34][35]
Moretz played the protagonist, Mia, in the adaptation ofGayle Forman'sIf I Stay (2014). The story follows a 17-year-old classical musician as she deals with the aftermath of a catastrophic car accident involving her family and has anout-of-body experience.[36] Critical response to the film was mixed; a 35% positive rating based on 122 reviews and an average rating of 5/10 garnered byRotten Tomatoes was accompanied by a critics' consensus praising Moretz for giving the performance "her all".[37] Moretz subsequently starred as Cassie Sullivan inThe 5th Wave, an adaptation of the best-sellingnovel by Rick Yancey. The film was released in January 2016.[38] Hannah Minghella of Sony Pictures said Moretz "embodies the heart, strength and determination that make Cassie such a compelling character."[39]
In a 2016 interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, Moretz revealed she had dropped out of all the unproduced film projects she was attached to.[45] The only announced film this affected wasThe Little Mermaid, since several other films she was slated to appear in were already in post-production. She explained, "I want to reassess who I am and find myself within my roles again. I'm realizing that I can slow down."[45] She said the workload that came from being in several films a year "was causing her to lose sight of [the reason] she started acting and instead focus on [her films' box office receipts]."[45] She stated she would focus on producing, including two television projects.[45] This was taken by some media outlets as Moretz taking a hiatus from acting,[46] so in a later interview, she clarified that she was not taking time off, saying: "I'm just becoming more picky and particular about what roles I'm choosing. I think as an actor you have a huge opportunity to find yourself through the roles that you choose. I think it's my time, right now in my life, to figure out who I am and what I am and what I want and what this industry means... Why not sit back, slow down, realize I'm 19 and go, 'Hey, let's make stuff that really, really hits hard with who I am and helps me figure out what it means to be a 19-year-old actor who is just doing her thing.'"[47]
Moretz in 2018
In 2017, Moretz co-starred again withAnsel Elgort, in the crime dramaNovember Criminals.[48] That same year, she starred in the comedy-dramaI Love You, Daddy, directed byLouis C.K. which had its world premiere at theToronto International Film Festival, where it received negative reviews from critics.[49] Following sexual misconduct allegations against C.K. the film's release was canceled by media companyThe Orchard, which had acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film as well as international distributors.[50][51] In the aftermath of the scandal, Moretz stated, "I think it should just kind of go away, honestly. I don't think it's time for them to have a voice right now," referring to men accused of sexual misconduct. "Of course, it's devastating to put time into a project and have it disappear, [...] [b]ut at the same time, this [Me Too] movement is so powerful and so progressive that I'm just happy to be in communication with everyone and to see the big change in the face of the industry, which I think is very, very real."[52]
In 2021, Moretz executive-produced the six-partSnapchat Original seriesComing Out highlighting youngLGBTQ people. In an interview withThe Advocate, she said, "I hope it is a show that will help to save lives by sharing what coming out means to each individual – that no single 'coming out' story is the same, each one is unique."[69]
She voiced the title character in the animated filmNimona, which released onNetflix on June 30, 2023.[70]
Fashion
Moretz has appeared in photo shoots, including editorials, features and covers, for magazines includingFlaunt,Vogue,Teen Vogue,Jalouse,Marie Claire,Interview,Elle,Love,Crash Magazine,InStyle and many others. She has also been invited to varioushaute couture events, such asDior Spring/Summer 2013 atParis Fashion Week.Max Mara's signature in 2012 granted her the "Max Mara Face of the Future" award.[71] In 2012, Moretz also became the face of American youth clothing retailerAéropostale, appearing at various events, videos and reports.[72] In February 2013,Elle magazine awarded her with the "Next Future Icon Award" at theElle Style Awards gala held in London.[73]
Activism
Moretz has publicly supportedLGBTQ equality.[74] Moretz, who isgay, also has twogay brothers; she states that her brothers bothcoming out as gay had been "jarring" to theirBaptist community and that they had initially tried to "pray the gay away" on their own before coming out to their family.[75] She identifies as afeminist and has turned down film roles that she found to be overtly sexualized. She took on the role of a teenage prostitute in the 2014 filmThe Equalizer because her character "felt so real", rather than a "plot device".[76] In October 2014, Moretz was named one of the 25 Most Influential Teens of the year byTime magazine.[77]
In March 2016 it was reported that the then-19-year-old Moretz had purchased her first home, a $3.4 million Spanish estate inStudio City, Los Angeles.[82][83] Her brother Brandon serves as her business manager,[84] and her brother Trevor has been her acting coach since 2010, often accompanying her on trips and press events when their parents were unavailable.[85] Moretz is also an avid fan of theNew York Islanders, a team in theNational Hockey League (NHL).[86]
In 2018, Moretz began dating model Kate Harrison. She and Harrison confirmed their engagement on January 1, 2025, and subsequently confirmed that they had married over the course ofLabor Day weekend in an interview withVogue,[91][92] which reported the wedding on September 1.[93]
Filmography
Film
Moretz at theHugo premiere in New York City in November 2011
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