Who is Brecken Merrill? Meet the young actor behind Yellowstone's Tate Dutton
Brecken Merrill is an American actor best known as Tate Dutton in the hit Paramount Network series Yellowstone. Born on 20 June 2008, he is 18 years old as of 2026. He began his acting career at age 8 and has since expanded his portfolio with the Yellowstone spinoff Marshals. As for why he loves being an actor, Brecken said in his 2022 Close-Up Culture interview:
I love getting to dive into the mind of a character. How are we similar? How are we different? Does he have a secret?
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Brecken Merrill was born on 20 June 2008 and is 18 years old as of 2026.
- He plays Tate Dutton in Yellowstone and its spinoff, Marshals, which premiered on 1 March 2026 on CBS.
- Brecken's father, Jesse Merrill, is the CEO of food company Good Culture.
- His mother, Kristy Phillips, is a published author of romance novels.
Brecken Merrill's profile summary
Full name | Brecken Merrill |
Date of birth | 20 June 2008 |
Age | 18 years old (as of October 2026) |
Zodiac sign | Gemini |
Place of birth | United States of America |
Current residence | Newport Beach, California, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Height | 5' 9" (1.75 m/175 cm) |
Hair colour | Brown |
Eye colour | Hazel-green |
Father | Jesse Merrill |
Mother | Kristy Phillips |
Siblings | Two sisters: Karis (older) and Seren (younger) |
Profession | Actor, model |
Who is Brecken Merrill?
Brecken Merrill is a young American actor who made his screen debut in 2018. He is best known for portraying Tate Dutton in the Paramount Network series Yellowstone. The role made him one of the most recognisable child actors on American television.
Merrill is represented by Paloma Model & Talent and also works as a model. Since his debut, he has appeared in multiple productions and recently became a series regular in the Yellowstone franchise spinoff Marshals on CBS.
How old is Brecken Merrill in real life?
Brecken Merrill was born on 20 June 2008, making him 18 years old as of September 2026. The Yellowstone actor was 8 when he was cast in the Paramount series, which premiered on his 10th birthday on June 20, 2018, making his performance all the more remarkable.
Source: Original
What is Brecken Merrill's ethnicity?
Brecken Merrill is White. He was born and raised in the United States and holds American nationality. Brecken's parents are both of Caucasian background.
Who are Brecken Merrill's parents?
Brecken Merrill's parents are Jesse Merrill and Kristy Phillips. His father, Jesse, is an actor, entrepreneur, and CEO of Good Culture, a food and beverage company. His mother, Kristy Phillips, is a published author of new adult contemporary romance novels. The Merrill family resides in Newport Beach, California.
Brecken Merrill's siblings
Brecken has two sisters: an older sister, Karis, and a younger sister, Seren. The Yellowstone star is the only son of Jesse and Kristy.
Brecken Merrill's acting career
Merrill made his on-screen acting debut in 2018 when he was cast as Tate Dutton in Yellowstone alongside Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, and Kelly Reilly. The character is the young grandson of ranch patriarch John Dutton. Brecken appeared in the series through its fifth and final season, which concluded in 2024.
Brecken Merrill as Tate Dutton in Yellowstone
In Yellowstone, Tate Dutton is the son of Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) and Monica Dutton (Kelsey Asbille). Merrill's portrayal of Tate earned him widespread recognition despite his young age, making him a fan favourite throughout the show's run.
The talented Yellowstone cast was nominated for a SAG Award in 2022 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Brecken told ET that landing the Tate role on Yellowstone is one of his "proudest moments."
Brecken's other acting projects
Beyond the Western world of Yellowstone, Brecken also appeared in This Is Us in 2022 as Teen Nicky Jr. In 2025, Merrill starred in the indie feature film Lifeline as a young Steven Thomas. He is also set to appear in the comedy-drama, We All Got Up to Dance, as Emmett LeClair.
Latest news
Variety reported in 2025 that Brecken Merrill would reprise his role as Tate Dutton in the Yellowstone spinoff Marshals. The series premiered on CBS and Paramount+ on 1 March 2026, with Brecken listed as a series regular. The show was renewed for a second season set to premiere on 4 October 2026.
Marshals follows Kayce Dutton as he joins a specialised group of U.S. Marshals tasked with protecting Montana. Luke Grimes (Kayce Dutton), Gil Birmingham (Thomas Rainwater), and Mo Brings Plenty (Mo) also reprise their Yellowstone roles in the spinoff.
Brecken Merrill's net worth
Brecken Merrill is estimated to be worth several hundred thousand dollars, but his exact net worth is not publicly verified. His primary source of income is acting work, with his long-running role in Yellowstone and his new series regular status on CBS' Marshals both contributing to his earnings.
Merrill's sources of income:
- Acting fees from Yellowstone (2018–2024)
- Acting fees from Marshals (2026–present) as a series regular
- Modelling work via Paloma Model & Talent
Brecken Merrill's social media presence
Brecken Merrill is active on Instagram, where he has accumulated over 104,000 followers. He uses the platform to share updates about his acting career and personal life, giving fans a look at his life beyond the screen.
FAQs
- What is Brecken Merrill's ethnicity? Brecken Merrill is White. He was born and raised in the United States to American parents.
- How old is Brecken Merrill in real life? Brecken Merrill was born on 20 June 2008 and is 18 years old as of September 2026.
- Who are Brecken Merrill's real parents? His parents are Jesse Merrill, an entrepreneur and CEO of Good Culture, and Kristy Phillips, a published romance novelist. They raised him alongside two sisters in Newport Beach, California.
- Is Tate Kayce's biological son in real life? No. In Yellowstone, Tate Dutton is the fictional son of Kayce Dutton, played by Luke Grimes. Brecken Merrill is simply the actor who plays Tate. He has no real-life family connection to any Yellowstone cast members.
- Where is Brecken Merrill from? Brecken Merrill was born in the United States and currently resides in Newport Beach, California.
- Does Brecken Merrill have siblings? Yes. He has two sisters: an older sister, Karis, and a younger sister named Seren.
- What is Brecken Merrill's net worth? Brecken is estimated to be worth several hundred thousand dollars as of 2026, earned primarily through his acting career in Yellowstone and Marshals.
- What is Brecken Merrill doing in 2026? Brecken Merrill stars as Tate Dutton in Marshals, the Yellowstone spinoff that premiered on CBS and Paramount+ on 1 March 2026. The show has been renewed for a second season premiering on 4 October 2026.
Conclusion
Brecken Merrill's acting journey has been remarkable since he debuted on American screens as Tate Dutton on Yellowstone in 2018. The teenager has grown up in front of millions of viewers and is not showing any signs of slowing down after reprising his role in Marshals. Merrill has had the privilege of working with seasoned co-stars like Kevin Costner and Luke Grimes.
We also highlighted facts about Kelly Reilly, the British actress known for playing Beth Dutton in Yellowstone, including her career, awards, and personal life.
Before landing her first screen role, Reilly wrote directly to the producers of Prime Suspect to ask for an audition, and six months later, she got one. Her path from that letter to an acclaimed acting career is a story worth discovering.
Source: Legit.ng
