Lonnie Chavis is one of those actors who somehow feels like he’s been on our screens forever, even though he’s still just a teenager. Most people know him as the kid who made them sob every Tuesday night on This Is Us, but honestly, if you only know him as "Young Randall," you're missing out on some of the most intense, genre-bending work from a young actor in the last decade.
He didn't just play a version of Sterling K. Brown; he built a foundation for a career that's currently transitioning into serious, heavy-hitting leading roles. From gritty horror to high-stakes Westerns, the list of Lonnie Chavis movies and tv shows reveals an actor who is remarkably picky about his scripts. He’s not doing the "Disney Channel" fluff—he’s doing the work.
Breaking Out: The This Is Us Phenomenon
It’s impossible to talk about Lonnie without starting at the Pearson kitchen table. Joining This Is Us at just nine years old, he had the impossible task of portraying the childhood of one of the most complex characters on television. He wasn't just a placeholder. He had to carry the weight of Randall’s anxiety, his displacement as a Black child in a white family, and that "gifted kid" pressure that defined the character.
He won a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series and even snagged an MTV Movie & TV Award for "Tearjerker"—which, if you've seen the scene where Jack does pushups with Randall on his back, you know was well-deserved.
The Shift to Horror and Thrillers
While This Is Us was still airing, Lonnie started taking some wild swings in film. Most child actors go for the "talking dog" movie or the "high school musical" vibe. Lonnie went for the jugular.
The Boy Behind the Door (2020)
If you haven't seen this, buckle up. It’s a relentless, near-silent thriller where Lonnie plays Bobby, a kid who escapes a kidnapping only to realize his best friend is still trapped inside a house. He spends 95% of the movie on screen, often alone, carrying the tension through facial expressions and breathing. It’s a "Home Alone" scenario if it were directed by someone with a dark, Hitchcockian streak. Critics at Roger Ebert and Fantastic Fest went nuts for it because it treats the child protagonist with actual agency, not just as a victim waiting to be saved.
The Water Man (2020)
Directed by David Oyelowo, this was Lonnie's first real leading man moment in a feature film. He played Gunner Boone, a boy who ventures into a mystical forest to find a legendary figure capable of healing his dying mother (played by Rosario Dawson). It’s a beautiful, Amblin-style adventure that proved he could handle a big-budget narrative with emotional depth.
The TV Credits You Might Have Overlooked
Beyond the big hits, Lonnie has been all over the dial. He’s one of those "I know that kid!" faces that pops up in the most unexpected places.
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023): Lonnie stepped into the Taylor Sheridan universe playing Arthur Mayberry. It was a huge pivot from his modern-day roles, showing he could handle the period-piece grit of the 1800s.
- White Famous: He played Trevor Mooney, the son of a comedian played by Jay Pharoah. It was a rare chance to see him do more grounded, comedic-leaning work, produced by Jamie Foxx.
- Supergirl: Yeah, he was in the Arrowverse too. He played Marcus in the episode "City of Lost Children," proving he could hold his own even in the middle of CGI-heavy superhero drama.
- Skin (2018): This is a big one. He appeared in this short film which actually won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short. It’s a brutal look at racism and cycles of violence—definitely not for the faint of heart.
Recent Work and What's Next in 2026
Fast forward to where we are now. Lonnie isn't a "child actor" anymore; he’s a young man with a resume that looks like someone twice his age. One of his most significant recent projects is How I Learned to Fly (2023), where he plays Eli. It’s a story about two brothers surviving on their own after their parents disappear. It hits that Starz streaming rotation and has been praised for being a "different kind" of Black coming-of-age story—one that focuses on brotherhood and resilience rather than just trauma.
As of early 2026, Lonnie has been increasingly focused on his work as an advocate. He’s used his platform from Lonnie Chavis movies and tv shows to launch the #FixYourHeart campaign, tackling bullying and racism head-on. It’s rare to see an actor who started at age four maintain this kind of focus without burning out or fading into the background.
Why Lonnie Chavis Matters Right Now
The reason he’s still relevant while other child stars disappear is his range. He can play the "vulnerable son" as easily as the "hardened survivor." He’s stayed away from the typical Hollywood trap of being pigeonholed into one type of role. Whether he's doing a guest spot on The Thundermans for fun or leading an Oscar-winning short, there’s a deliberate quality to his career choices.
Next Steps for Fans and Cinephiles
If you want to see the full evolution of his talent, don't just stick to the TV reruns. I’d suggest starting with The Boy Behind the Door to see his pure acting chops, then move to The Water Man for the heart. Most of these are currently available on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Paramount+.
Keep an eye on the indie film circuit throughout 2026. Lonnie has been frequently spotted at festivals like Sundance, and with his high school graduation behind him (he finished at 15!), he’s likely looking at more mature, lead-heavy roles that will redefine him for the next decade of his career.