Sophia Lillis: From ‘It’ Star to Hollywood’s Brightest Young Talent

Sophia Lillis is one of the most exciting young actresses to have entered Hollywood’s workforce recently. Her lead performance as Beverly Marsh in the 2017 movie It, which was adapted from the novel by Stephen King, captured the attention of the public as well as critics. Her expressive face, range of emotions, and natural charisma made her stand out immediately among other rising stars in the industry. Ever since, she has gained a reputation for playing tough, multidimensional characters in blockbuster and indie projects alike.

With a distinctive style and an easy-going demeanor, Sophia has also developed a large following based not just on her talent as an actress but on her genuineness. From her early beginnings in Brooklyn to leading roles on Netflix and in fantasy films like Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Sophia continues to expand her creative range. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Sophia Lillis’s background, career, personal life, and what’s next for this captivating young performer.

Quick Bio

Who Is Sophia Lillis?

Sophia Lillis is an American actress who rose to stardom at the age of 15 in the horror hit It (2017) by Andy Muschietti. Born on February 13, 2002, she immediately became famous for her acting as Beverly Marsh, a spunky and stubborn little girl battling supernatural terror and real obstacles of her world. She overshadowed an entire cast and left the critics impressed with her acting, catapulting her to the spotlight of fame.

Since then, Sophia has shown up in all manner of starring roles, proving she’s far from a one-hit wonder. She starred as title character Sydney Novak in the Netflix original series I Am Not Okay With This (2020), balancing teen angst and magical powers. She also played a darker, older role in Gretel & Hansel (2020), a dark retelling of the age-old fable. Her ability to do an array of emotions and complex roles has helped her become one of Hollywood’s brightest new stars today.

Early Life

Sophia was born to Juliana Mellevold and David Lillis in Brooklyn borough, New York. When her parents divorced, she grew up primarily under her mother’s and stepfather Christopher Mellevold’s care, who works as a photographer and filmmaker. Sophia has a fraternal twin brother named Jake and a stepbrother Philip. Growing up with a family exposed to art stimulated the initial passion of hers for engaging in performing arts, especially film and acting.

Her stepfather was instrumental in developing her career as an actress by casting her in a short student film when she was seven years old. Seeing her potential, her family also motivated her to study at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Manhattan, where she received professional acting lessons. Sophia learned storytelling at a very young age, which formed a foundation for her vibrant performances in life.

Career Beginning

Sophia began her career as an actress with some minor roles in short films such as The Lipstick Stain (2013) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2014), in which she began gaining some experience in front of the camera and on stage. Her major breakthrough came in 2017, when she played the role of Beverly Marsh in It, which changed her life overnight. The film went on to be one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time, and Sophia’s performance was praised as mature and emotionally complex.

Sophia continued to stretch out her career following It by continuing to play an incredibly wide variety of roles. She guest-starred as the younger version of Amy Adams’ character in HBO’s Sharp Objects (2018), demonstrating her ability to hold herself in a dark psychological thriller. She starred in Gretel & Hansel in 2020, featuring as a tough female protagonist in a dark environment. Sophia’s wise selection of parts has established her diversity as an actress and her willingness to experiment throughout the initial years of her career.

Who Is Sophia Lillis Related To?

Sophia’s tight-knit family has always been there with her in her artistic endeavors. Her mother, Juliana, is a professional painter and the largest source of inspiration in her life. Her stepfather, Christopher Mellevold, introduced her to the world of films, with a firsthand experience of acting. Her twin brother, Jake, is always a supporting pillar, albeit one that keeps a low profile.

Professionally, Sophia has also forged close bonds with some of her co-stars. She is especially close with Wyatt Oleff, who acted as Stanley in It, and also featured with her in I Am Not Okay With This. Their on-screen chemistry, as well as friendship in real life, has been noted by both shows’ fans and tends to come through in their interviews and social media accounts. These connections not only helped her in her career but also gave her a network of contacts in the film industry.

Sophia Lillis’s Physical Appearance

Sophia Lillis is most famously recognized by her native red hair, porcelain skin, and lovely blue eyes. She measures approximately 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall and possesses a lean figure, which can play a wide variety of roles. Her acting style is classic and modern at the same time, distinguishing her from the herd of fresh young blood. Her expressive face allows her to express feeling in subtle ways, and this has turned out to be one of her greatest assets as an actress.

Her off-screen look is generally termed as minimalist with an antique touch. Sophia mostly goes for casual, laid-back clothing that reflects her personality—down-to-earth, artistic, and authentic. On red carpet events, however, she’s not afraid to impress in over-the-top, structured outfits that reflect her growing confidence on the fashion front. Her evolving sense of style has also made her a cover model of fashion magazines and appreciation from stylists for her authentic style.

Net Worth

Sophia Lillis has an estimated net worth of around $2 million as of 2025. This wealth has been mostly gained through her acting career on blockbuster films and television series, endorsements, and commercials. Working in big-budget releases such as It and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves has helped her earn a significant amount at the beginning of her career.

In addition to acting, Sophia has also begun experimenting with voiceovers and independent projects with greater creative input. While she’s just beginning, the careful choices she makes regarding role selection show she’s more interested in enduring than trying to become famous overnight. With her talent and work ethic, there’s a good chance her wealth will just continue to grow incrementally in the years to come.

Social Media

Sophia Lillis maintains a tiny but productive social media following. On Instagram, where she boasts over 3 million followers, she shares information about her job, behind-the-scenes moments, and glimpses into her life outside of acting. Her feed features red carpet photos, casual selfies, and artistic photographs snapped by her stepfather. Her Instagram handle is @sophialillis.

She is also regularly active on Twitter, employing it as a platform to speak to fans, promote new releases, and express her support for issues that matter to her. Sophia keeps her social media presence genuine, with very little of the highly produced image characteristic of celebrities. Her authentic approach has rendered her even more lovable to her fans, particularly young ones who admire her as a role model.

Future Prospects and Vision

Sophia Lillis has already done a great deal for an actress in her early twenties, but her career has just begun. She has mentioned that she hopes to one day direct and write, wanting to explore various aspects of storytelling. Her future projects, such as All Her Fault and The Thicket, demonstrate her continued willingness to accept a variety of roles and collaborate with well-known directors and writers.

Looking ahead, Sophia wishes to keep choosing roles that challenge her and allow her to grow. Whether in indie dramas, fantasy epics, or character dramas, her concern is about creating meaningful content. If history is any indicator, Sophia Lillis is destined for a successful and impactful film career.