Jacob Elordi is not just another rising star—he is the symbol of versatility in Hollywood, and he has done it in the most unexpected ways. You may know him from Euphoria as the fiery Nate Jacobs, or perhaps you remember his swoon-worthy role in The Kissing Booth. Irrespective of where you first saw him, one thing is for sure: Jacob’s journey from an up-and-coming actor to a household name has been nothing but exciting. If you’re wondering how he managed to win hearts across genres and platforms, let’s dive into the top 5 TV shows that shaped his career and made us take notice.

1. Euphoria (2019 – Present)

Let’s get the obvious one out of the way. If you haven’t heard of Euphoria, have you really been living under a rock? This show is the pinnacle of raw, unfiltered teen drama, and Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs: iconic.

In Euphoria, it’s not just that Elordi acts; he becomes Nate. Messy, complicated, and downright scary at times, this character really goes there. But that is the reason Elordi’s portrayal resonates on a deeper level. For Nate, we get to see the struggle within a young man who wants to control his emotions, but beneath it all lies painful vulnerability. And let’s not forget: you simply cannot look away from his tension with Rue (played by Zendaya). Electrifying.

What really makes Jacob’s performance stand out, though, is the raw emotion he brings to Nate. You feel every ounce of his character’s anger, jealousy, and confusion. It’s not just a performance; it’s a masterclass in nuance. With each episode, Elordi reminds us just how much range he has. If you’ve only seen him in other roles, Euphoria is the show that’ll make you look at him in a whole new light.

Think about it—how many actors can play such a complex villain and have us still feeling empathy for him? Elordi nails it.

2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)

Now, let’s rewind a little. Before he was the intense and tortured Nate Jacobs, Elordi had a pretty cool role in a massive franchise. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales saw him as Henry Turner, the son of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). Elordi’s character might not have been the center of attention in the film, but it was still a pivotal role in a multi-billion-dollar series.

Elordi brought a certain youthful energy to Pirates, something that worked perfectly in the action-packed, fantastical world of pirates. Imagine being a young actor stepping into a franchise that’s already a pop culture institution—no pressure, right? But Elordi handled it with ease, showing a natural charisma and confidence that hinted at the star he was about to become.

It’s kind of like being the rookie in a star-studded team and still managing to score some pretty impressive points. While this wasn’t his breakout role, it helped introduce him to a much wider audience, showing that he could fit into a big franchise without missing a beat.

3. The Kissing Booth Trilogy (2018-2021)

You’ve probably seen the posters: Jacob Elordi, looking every inch the heartthrob, as Noah Flynn in The Kissing Booth. And yes, we get it—The Kissing Booth trilogy is all about teen romance, but there’s something about Elordi’s portrayal of the perfect bad boy that made everyone swoon.

Noah is the charming older brother of Elle’s best friend, and he’s not the easiest person to pin down. But as we watch their romance unfold across three films, we get to see Elordi shift from a seemingly perfect, albeit distant, teen to someone deeply committed to love, loyalty, and family. His chemistry with Joey King, who plays Elle, is off the charts. Seriously, you can almost feel the tension through the screen.

And here’s the thing: while the movies might be classified as light rom-coms, Elordi’s ability to balance his character’s growth with the typical teen heartthrob traits is what made Noah such a relatable figure for so many fans. Noah was more than just a good-looking guy—he had layers, struggles, and flaws that made him feel real. Elordi’s performance helped elevate the trilogy from just another teen romance to something audiences couldn’t get enough of.

Plus, let’s be real, he made all of us rethink our own high school crushes, didn’t he?

4. Swinging Safari (2018)

In Swinging Safari, he plays the role that surprises everyone. Set in the 1970s, the movie explores carefree (and sometimes bizarre) suburban life through a group of teens’ eyes. Elordi plays one of the main characters caught in the whirlwind of teenage angst, confusion, and, well, a lot of awkward moments.

What makes this film special is that it allowed Elordi to step outside his typical roles and try something a little lighter. We’re used to seeing him in intense or romantic roles, but Swinging Safari gave him the opportunity to flex his comedic chops. Think of it like the first time you watch your favorite actor do stand-up comedy—you know them for something else, but they surprise you in the best way.

The movie isn’t just about laughs, though—it’s about nostalgia, the kind that takes you back to simpler times, but with a humorous twist. Elordi’s performance was laid-back and charming, showing that he could handle humor and subtlety just as well as he could tackle serious drama.

5. Saturday Night Live (2020)

Okay, so we all know Jacob Elordi is really serious-brooding, but you’d not believe he can really make the laughs. Yaaah, Elordi actually guest-hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live in 2020, and man, what a “wait, really?” moment. It is like, you know the most serious actor in one role becomes the funniest.

During his stint on the show, Elordi demonstrated his comedic timing and ability to improvise, playing various roles that had the audience cracking up. He was funny, charming, and surprisingly quick-witted—basically, everything you wouldn’t expect from the guy who plays Nate Jacobs.

His SNL appearance reminds us we cannot box in an actor. Just because he played the role of the toughest guy on Euphoria doesn’t mean he can’t pull off a hilarious skit live on TV. Let’s face it; we were all in for a surprise at just how well he would handle it. If you haven’t watched it yet, trust me; it is worth looking at.

That’s A Wrap: Why Jacob Elordi Is So Much More Than Just a Pretty Face

So, what does all this say about Jacob Elordi? For starters, he’s not one to play it safe. Be it a villain in Euphoria or a teen heartthrob in The Kissing Booth, he brings something unique to each character. His versatility has made him one of the most exciting actors to watch today, and his ability to blend into different genres only adds to his appeal.

But beyond all that, Elordi reminds us that actors surprise us. He is not that one role or that one genre; he is a capable performer who can do anything from drama to comedy. And if you know his journey so far, you know this is but the beginning. I myself am excited to see where he goes next.

Who knows? Maybe the next role he takes will have us all looking at him in a whole new way. Whatever it is, you can be sure Jacob Elordi will continue to impress.