Joseph Zada is an Australian actor whose career has moved rapidly from local productions to major international projects. Born and raised in Sydney, he comes from a creative family and began working on screen while still young. After appearing in Australian films and television series, he gained wider attention through Invisible Boys and We Were Liars. His casting as a young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has placed him at the center of one of the biggest entertainment franchises of 2026.
Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joseph Cumpston |
| Professional name | Joseph Zada |
| Date of birth | July 21, 2005 |
| Age | 21 years old |
| Birthplace | Sydney, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Profession | Actor |
| Father | Jeremy Cumpston |
| Mother | Jessica Brentnall |
| Sibling | Hal Cumpston and other siblings |
| Known for | We Were Liars, Invisible Boys, East of Eden, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping |
| Height | Reported around 6 feet 2 inches |
Biographical details are based on available published sources and may vary slightly between entertainment databases.
Joseph Zada’s Early Life and Family
Joseph Zada was born on July 21, 2005, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. His birth name is Joseph Cumpston, and he previously appeared in acting credits under that name as well as Jo Cumpston.
He grew up in a family with strong connections to film and television. His father, Jeremy Cumpston, is an actor, director, and doctor who became known to Australian audiences through his work in television. His mother, Jessica Brentnall, is a producer. His older brother Hal Cumpston is also an actor, making entertainment a familiar part of the family environment.
The creative atmosphere around him helped provide an early introduction to filmmaking, but his subsequent career has been built around his own performances and choices.
How Joseph Zada Started Acting
Zada began building his acting résumé as a teenager. One of his earliest notable screen appearances came in Bilched, a 2019 Australian coming-of-age comedy-drama. The film was directed by his father and also featured his brother Hal Cumpston.
He later appeared in The Speedway Murders, a project based on the real-life Burger Chef murders, and the short film David Jones Locker. These early roles gave him experience across different types of productions and helped establish him as a young Australian performer to watch.
His training also played an important role in his development. A press biography for Invisible Boys notes that he trained at Screenwise Film and Television Acting School and worked with acting coach Miranda Harcourt.
Breakthrough With Invisible Boys
A major step in his career came with Invisible Boys, an Australian television series released in 2025. Zada played Charlie Roth, one of the central young characters in the series.
The role required him to portray a teenager dealing with personal and social pressures in a conservative environment. It demonstrated a more mature side of his acting abilities and helped introduce him to audiences beyond his earlier film work.
The series became particularly important because it arrived shortly before his international breakthrough. Zada’s performance showed that he could handle emotionally demanding material rather than being limited to conventional teenage roles.
Joseph Zada in We Were Liars
Zada reached a much larger international audience when he was cast as Johnny Sinclair Dennis in We Were Liars, the television adaptation of E. Lockhart’s bestselling young-adult novel.
The Prime Video series centers on the wealthy Sinclair family and their complicated relationships during summers spent on a private island. Zada plays Johnny, a member of the younger generation whose personality and conflicts become increasingly important as the story develops.
The role was significant because it marked one of his first major international productions. Zada has discussed the demanding audition process, explaining that he was filming Invisible Boys when he had to prepare his audition for We Were Liars.
His performance helped establish him as an actor capable of moving comfortably between Australian productions and international streaming projects.
East of Eden and the Next Stage of His Career
Another important project is Netflix’s East of Eden, a modern screen adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel. Zada plays Cal Trask, a central character in the story.
The project represents another major step because of its international cast and production scale. Zada appears alongside established performers including Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, and Mike Faist.
Taking on Cal Trask is also notable because the character has considerable emotional depth. The role gives Zada an opportunity to demonstrate a different range from the teenage characters that first brought him attention.
Joseph Zada as Young Haymitch Abernathy
Perhaps the biggest role of his career so far is Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The film is based on Suzanne Collins’ prequel novel and explores the younger years of Haymitch, the character famously played by Woody Harrelson in the original film series.
Zada was announced as the actor playing the younger version of Haymitch in 2025. The casting attracted considerable attention because the character is already one of the most recognizable figures in The Hunger Games universe.
Taking over a role associated with Harrelson presents an unusual challenge for a relatively young actor. Rather than simply copying the earlier performance, Zada has the opportunity to establish his own interpretation of Haymitch while showing audiences how the character developed before the events of the original trilogy.
Joseph Zada’s Heritage and Personal Life
Zada has spoken about his Afghan and Aboriginal heritage. His Indigenous ancestry connects him to the Barkandji people through his paternal great-grandmother. His decision to work professionally under the name Joseph Zada has also been discussed in connection with his heritage.
Despite his growing profile, he has generally maintained a relatively private personal life. There is no widely confirmed information establishing a spouse or children, and public attention has largely focused on his acting career.
Outside acting, published profiles have mentioned interests including surfing, swimming, movies, books, and spending time with his siblings.
What Makes Joseph Zada Stand Out?
One of the most interesting aspects of Zada’s career is how quickly it has expanded. He began with Australian productions before moving into major streaming series and then landing one of the most recognizable roles in a global film franchise.
His performances also show a willingness to take on complicated characters. From Charlie in Invisible Boys to Johnny in We Were Liars, Cal Trask in East of Eden, and Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping, his recent projects cover a broad emotional range.
For an actor still in his early twenties, that combination of experience and opportunity makes his career particularly notable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joseph Zada
1. How old is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada was born on July 21, 2005, making him 21 years old in 2026.
2. What is Joseph Zada’s real name?
His birth name is Joseph Cumpston. He is professionally known as Joseph Zada and has also been credited as Joseph Cumpston and Jo Cumpston.
3. Who are Joseph Zada’s parents?
His father is actor, director, and doctor Jeremy Cumpston, while his mother is producer Jessica Brentnall.
4. Who does Joseph Zada play in The Hunger Games?
He plays a young version of Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, a prequel set before the original film series.
5. What shows is Joseph Zada known for?
His notable television credits include Invisible Boys, We Were Liars, Total Control, and East of Eden. He has also appeared in films including Bilched and The Speedway Murders.
Final Thoughts
Joseph Zada’s journey from Sydney-based productions to major international projects illustrates how quickly a young actor’s career can develop when talent, preparation, and the right opportunities come together. With East of Eden and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping adding to an already impressive résumé, his next chapter could be even more significant. For readers following emerging entertainment talent, infovio will continue to cover the stories and career developments behind today’s rising stars.
