McKenna Grace: Height, Age, Biography & Career
McKenna Grace is a 20-year-old American actress and singer-songwriter known for her performances in Gifted, Young Sheldon, The Handmaid’s Tale, and the Ghostbusters franchise. Born on June 25, 2006, in Grapevine, Texas, she began acting during childhood and has since developed a career in film, television, and music.
Grace has moved from portraying younger versions of established characters to playing leading roles in major productions. Her recent films include Regretting You (2025), Scream 7 (2026), and Nimrods (2026). She is also set to appear in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, scheduled for November 2026.
| Fact or Question | Verified Answer |
|---|---|
| Full professional name | Mckenna Grace |
| Date of birth | June 25, 2006 |
| Age | 20 years old as of October 16, 2026 |
| Birthplace | Grapevine, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | IMDb lists 5 ft 0¾ in (approximately 154 cm) |
| Profession | Actress and singer-songwriter |
| Acting career | Began in 2012 |
| Parents | Ross Burge and Crystal Burge |
| Famous movies | Gifted, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire |
| Famous TV roles | Paige in Young Sheldon; Esther Keyes in The Handmaid’s Tale |
| Emmy recognition | One Primetime Emmy nomination in 2021 |
| Publicly reported boyfriend | Mason Thames, as of August 2026 reporting |
| Upcoming movie | The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026) |
Who Is McKenna Grace?
McKenna Grace is an American actress who started working professionally at a young age. She gained wider recognition through her performance as Mary Adler in the 2017 film Gifted, where she appeared alongside Chris Evans.
Earlier in her career, she frequently portrayed younger versions of characters played by adult actresses. These roles included young Tonya Harding in I, Tonya, young Sabrina Spellman in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel.
As she grew older, Grace began taking on more substantial roles. Her performance in The Handmaid’s Tale earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination, while her portrayal of Phoebe Spengler introduced her to audiences of the Ghostbusters franchise.
Beyond acting, she writes and records original music. Her songs and extended plays have given her a separate creative career alongside her film and television work.
How Old Is McKenna Grace?
McKenna Grace is 20 years old as of October 16, 2026. She was born on June 25, 2006, in Grapevine, Texas.
She celebrated her 20th birthday in June 2026, having already spent more than a decade working in entertainment.
Grace began auditioning during childhood and secured early television roles before reaching her teenage years. By the time she appeared in The Handmaid’s Tale in 2021, she had experience in drama, comedy, horror, and voice acting.
Her transition from child actress to adult performer developed gradually as she began portraying characters closer to her own age.
How Tall Is McKenna Grace?
McKenna Grace height is listed as 5 feet 0¾ inches, approximately 154 centimeters, on IMDb.
Several celebrity biography websites publish slightly different measurements, including 5 feet and 5 feet 2 inches. These figures are not consistently supported by identifiable original measurements.
IMDb provides a specific published figure, but it should not be treated as an independently measured current height.
Grace’s screen roles have included child prodigies, teenagers, supernatural characters, and young women facing complicated personal situations. Her career demonstrates a range of performances across different ages and genres.
Where Was McKenna Grace Born and Raised?
McKenna Grace was born in Grapevine, Texas, and spent her early childhood in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Before entering acting, she participated in activities such as gymnastics, cheerleading, ballet, and tap dancing. She also developed an interest in movies, particularly performances by Shirley Temple.
In a November 2021 interview with Teen Vogue, Grace explained that she repeatedly asked her mother to let her try acting. Her mother initially hesitated because McKenna was already involved in several activities.
Eventually, she began taking acting classes and became increasingly interested in performing professionally.
Her family traveled to Los Angeles to explore opportunities in film and television. After Grace secured early roles, they settled in California, where she continued her acting career.
McKenna Grace Parents and Family Background
McKenna Grace parents are Ross Burge and Crystal Burge. Both supported her interest in acting and helped her manage the responsibilities of working professionally during childhood.
Her father, Ross Burge, is an orthopedic surgeon. Her mother, Crystal, accompanied McKenna to auditions and helped organize her early work commitments.
Grace has described how her family encouraged her to maintain interests outside entertainment. Her parents also checked whether she was still enjoying acting as her professional schedule became more demanding.
Their support extended into her creative projects. Ross collaborated with his daughter on the screenplay for the 2022 television film The Bad Seed Returns, alongside screenwriter Barbara Marshall.
The collaboration allowed Grace to contribute to a production as both an actress and a writer.
McKenna Grace Education and Acting Training
McKenna Grace received much of her education through homeschooling and on-set tutoring while working on film and television productions.
This arrangement allowed her to continue studying while traveling for auditions, rehearsals, and filming.
Her schedule differed from that of students attending traditional schools because professional commitments often required her to spend time away from home.
In interviews, Grace has discussed maintaining friendships and interests outside acting. She also participated in creative activities and continued learning while working on productions.
Her professional experience provided another form of training. Working with directors, experienced actors, and production crews introduced her to different performance styles and filmmaking techniques.
No completed university degree has been reliably established in the reviewed sources.
How Did McKenna Grace Start Her Acting Career?
McKenna Grace began appearing in professional television productions in 2012.
One of her earliest recurring roles was Jasmine Bernstein in the Disney XD sitcom Crash & Bernstein. She also appeared in the comedy series The Goodwin Games and later portrayed Faith Newman in The Young and the Restless.
During these early years, she frequently played younger versions of established characters in films and television shows.
Her credits included young Emma Swan in Once Upon a Time, young Caroline Forbes in The Vampire Diaries, and young Tonya Harding in I, Tonya.
These roles helped her gain experience across comedy, drama, and other genres before she began receiving more prominent parts.
Gifted (2017) – Her Early Film Breakthrough
Gifted became one of McKenna Grace’s most recognizable early films.
In the 2017 drama, she portrayed Mary Adler, a mathematically gifted seven-year-old living with her uncle Frank, played by Chris Evans.
The story follows a family dispute over Mary’s education and future. Her uncle wants her to experience an ordinary childhood, while other family members believe her exceptional abilities require a different educational path.
Grace’s performance required her to portray both Mary’s intelligence and the emotions of a young child dealing with complicated family circumstances.
The role brought her wider attention and demonstrated her ability to carry a significant dramatic storyline alongside experienced adult performers.
McKenna Grace in Young Sheldon and Other TV Shows
McKenna Grace portrayed Paige Swanson in Young Sheldon, a recurring character introduced during the show’s second season in 2018.
Paige is a highly intelligent child whose academic abilities challenge Sheldon Cooper, played by Iain Armitage.
Their relationship involves competition, occasional friendship, and disagreements. Paige’s family circumstances also become increasingly important as the series develops.
Grace appeared in nine episodes between 2018 and 2023. Her character became a recurring part of the show’s story rather than a single guest appearance.
Other Notable Television Roles
Grace appeared in several television productions that introduced her to different audiences.
In The Haunting of Hill House (2018), she played the young Theo Crain. The Netflix horror series follows a family affected by disturbing experiences in their childhood home.
She portrayed the younger Sabrina Spellman in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, playing the childhood version of the character portrayed by Kiernan Shipka.
In The Handmaid’s Tale, Grace played Esther Keyes, a young woman living under the oppressive system of Gilead.
Her performance as Esther earned her a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series at the 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards.
These roles established her experience across family comedy, supernatural horror, psychological drama, and dystopian television.
McKenna Grace in Ghostbusters: Phoebe Spengler
One of McKenna Grace’s best-known film roles is Phoebe Spengler in the Ghostbusters franchise.
She first played Phoebe in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), directed by Jason Reitman.
Phoebe is a scientifically curious teenager who discovers her family’s connection to Egon Spengler, one of the original Ghostbusters.
Her interest in science and unusual events becomes central to the family’s discovery of its supernatural history.
Grace returned as Phoebe in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024). The sequel follows the Spengler family as they join forces with the original Ghostbusters team in New York City.
The role gave Grace a continuing character within an established film franchise, different from her earlier performances as younger versions of other characters.
Her involvement also extended into music through Haunted House, an original song associated with Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
McKenna Grace Movies and Recent Career Projects
McKenna Grace movies and TV shows: Grace has appeared in drama, comedy, horror, science fiction, and family films. Her credits include independent productions, television movies, and major studio releases.
Several of her recent projects demonstrate how her acting career has expanded beyond childhood roles.
| Year | Selected Movie or TV Show | Character / Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Gifted | Mary Adler |
| 2017 | I, Tonya | Young Tonya Harding |
| 2018 | The Haunting of Hill House | Young Theo Crain |
| 2018–2023 | Young Sheldon | Paige Swanson |
| 2021–2022 | The Handmaid’s Tale | Esther Keyes |
| 2021 | Ghostbusters: Afterlife | Phoebe Spengler |
| 2024 | Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire | Phoebe Spengler |
| 2025 | Regretting You | Clara Grant |
| 2025 | Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 | Lisa |
| 2026 | Scream 7 | Hannah Thurman |
| 2026 | Nimrods | Supporting role |
Regretting You (2025)
Regretting You is a romantic drama adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name.
Grace plays Clara Grant, a teenager dealing with grief, family tensions, and a developing romantic relationship. Mason Thames portrays Miller Adams, her love interest.
The film gave Grace a central role in a contemporary story focused on family relationships and young love.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2025)
Grace appeared as Lisa in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, released in December 2025.
Lisa is a paranormal investigator who becomes involved in the supernatural events surrounding Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.
The role continued Grace’s involvement in horror productions, following earlier performances in Annabelle Comes Home, The Haunting of Hill House, and the Ghostbusters films.
Scream 7 (2026)
Grace played Hannah Thurman in Scream 7, released in theaters on February 27, 2026.
Directed by Kevin Williamson, the film brought back Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott and Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers.
Grace joined an ensemble cast that included Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, and Anna Camp.
Her appearance marked another major horror-franchise credit during her transition into adult roles.
Nimrods (2026)
Nimrods is a coming-of-age comedy inspired by the early experiences of the rock band Green Day.
The film follows a group of young musicians who travel to Los Angeles after mistakenly believing they have been invited to open for the band.
Grace appears in the film alongside Mason Thames, Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, and Fred Armisen.
Directed by Lee Kirk, Nimrods received a US theatrical release on August 14, 2026, followed by an on-demand release on September 15.
The movie marked another collaboration between Grace and Thames, expanding their shared screen work beyond Regretting You.
McKenna Grace Music Career and Songs
McKenna Grace is also a singer-songwriter who releases original music alongside her acting projects.
She released her debut single, Haunted House, in 2021. The song introduced her music to audiences who primarily knew her as an actress.
She continued releasing songs, including Do All My Friends Hate Me? and Post Party Trauma in 2022.
In 2023, Grace released two extended plays, Bittersweet 16 and Autumn Leaves. These recordings allowed her to develop a larger catalogue of original music.
Her songwriting frequently addresses friendships, uncertainty, growing up, and emotional experiences.
In interviews, Grace has described music as a creative outlet that allows her to express thoughts and feelings outside the characters she portrays on screen.
McKenna Grace Songs in 2026
Grace continued releasing music during 2026.
Her September 25, 2026 release Bones, and All is listed on Apple Music as a three-track single. Other releases from the year include Ugly and Rotten, and It’s So Fine.
Her work as a musician sometimes connects with her acting projects, but the two careers remain distinct.
She records and performs original music under her own name rather than treating singing only as part of a film role.
McKenna Grace Awards and Achievements
McKenna Grace received a significant early-career distinction when she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2021.
The Television Academy nominated her for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her performance as Esther Keyes in The Handmaid’s Tale.
She did not win the award. Claire Foy received the prize that year for her performance in The Crown.
The nomination was notable because Grace was still a teenager and had already accumulated several years of professional acting experience.
Her filmography also includes critically discussed productions, commercially successful franchises, and performances alongside established actors.
However, recognition received by a film or television production should not be confused with an individual award for every cast member.
McKenna Grace Boyfriend and Relationship Status
McKenna Grace’s publicly reported relationship with actor Mason Thames attracted attention after the two appeared together in Regretting You.
They portrayed romantic interests in the 2025 film and were subsequently seen spending time together outside promotional appearances.
Relationship speculation increased during 2025, but the actors did not immediately confirm that they were dating.
In February 2026, Thames shared photographs from a Paris trip that included the two together. Entertainment publications described the images as a public confirmation of their relationship.
Their relationship was also discussed in August 2026 interviews promoting Nimrods. Thames spoke positively about Grace’s acting abilities and their experience working together.
The available public reporting supports their relationship at that time. Later changes in their private lives should not be assumed without reliable confirmation.
McKenna Grace Net Worth and Income Sources
McKenna Grace earns professional income through acting, songwriting, recorded music, and other entertainment projects.
Her career includes television appearances, feature-film performances, original music releases, and creative work behind the camera.
However, her exact personal net worth has not been established through dependable public financial records.
Online estimates frequently lack transparent information about acting contracts, royalties, investments, expenses, taxes, or other financial obligations.
A movie’s box-office revenue also does not reveal the amount paid to an individual performer.
Without a reliable financial basis, a specific dollar amount should not be presented as her confirmed net worth.
Upcoming McKenna Grace Movie: The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
McKenna Grace is set to portray Maysilee Donner in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, scheduled for theatrical release on November 20, 2026.
The film is based on Suzanne Collins’s novel and returns to the fictional world of Panem.
Its story takes place during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy.
Maysilee Donner is a tribute from District 12 who participates in the same Games as a young Haymitch Abernathy.
The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, with Joseph Zada portraying Haymitch.
The cast also includes Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, and Maya Hawke.
Grace discussed her excitement about joining the production in a November 2025 Teen Vogue interview. She explained that she had been interested in The Hunger Games franchise for years before receiving the role.
The project adds another major franchise to her acting career after Ghostbusters and Scream.
As of October 16, 2026, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping had not yet been released. Its critical reception and commercial performance therefore remain undetermined.
