Miles Teller stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and has carved out one of Hollywood’s most authentic careers. Born February 20, 1987, the 38-year-old actor moved from small indie projects to billion-dollar franchises. His unconventional path proves that real talent beats perfect looks in an industry obsessed with surface-level appeal.
Miles Teller’s net worth reaches approximately $16 million as of 2025 according to Celebrity Net Worth, built through strategic choices and undeniable skill. He’s married to model Keleigh Sperry, plays actual instruments on screen, and keeps the scars from a near-fatal crash visible. From drumming in Whiplash to flying jets in Top Gun: Maverick, his authenticity separates him from typical Hollywood stars.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Miles Alexander Teller |
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1987 |
| Age | 38 years old (as of 2025) |
| Height | 6’1″ (1.85 m) |
| Birthplace | Downingtown, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Current Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer |
| Years Active | 2004–present |
| Net Worth | Approximately $16 million (2025) |
| Spouse | Keleigh Sperry (married 2019) |
| Notable Films | Whiplash, Top Gun: Maverick, The Spectacular Now |
| Education | NYU Tisch School of the Arts (BFA Drama, 2009) |
Early Life Background
Miles Teller grew up in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, where his mother Merry sold real estate and his father Michael worked as a nuclear power plant engineer. Two older sisters, Erin and Dana, completed the family. His ancestry blends Russian Jewish roots from his paternal grandfather with English, Irish, and African-American heritage from his mother’s lineage.
The family relocated to Citrus County, Florida when Miles hit 12 years old. This rural town of roughly 7,000 residents shaped his entire perspective. He described those years vividly: “Going to high school in rural Florida, we always partied down in the woods. Dude, every party I went to was lit by a bonfire. Acoustic guitar.”
Lecanto High School saw Teller juggle multiple passions simultaneously. He chased professional baseball dreams while running the drama club as president. His musical abilities spanned alto saxophone, drums, piano, and guitar—all self-taught. Despite a second-grade teacher predicting he’d never graduate and become a juvenile delinquent, he maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Education and Training
Miles Teller enrolled at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts after graduating high school in 2005. His training split between method acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and screen technique at Stonestreet Studios Film Conservatory. This combination created an actor equally comfortable with raw emotion and technical precision for cameras.
His theatrical education included jazz, ballet, and tap dancing courses. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama by 2009. The Strasberg method gave him emotional tools while Stonestreet provided practical filming skills that would serve both intimate indies and massive blockbusters.
A 2007 car crash nearly ended everything before it started. Riding as a passenger when the vehicle flipped eight times at 80 mph, Teller sustained permanent facial scarring. His NYU roommate was driving, but he underwent painful laser treatments without creating conflict or blame.
Career Breakthrough Years
Nicole Kidman handpicked Miles Teller for his film debut after his Rabbit Hole (2010) audition made him visibly nervous. She later explained that watching him “blush and quiver” proved he was authentic. This Oscar winner’s endorsement launched an unknown actor instantly, with Kidman continuing to champion his work publicly as his career developed.
Teller spent 2010-2013 building indie film credibility through diverse roles. The Spectacular Now (2013) earned him the Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize for Dramatic Acting shared with Shailene Woodley. Their on-screen chemistry felt so genuine that audiences assumed romance when they’d actually forged a deep friendship.
Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash (2014) happened despite Teller’s exhaustion and desire for time off. His manager pushed him to read the script about a drummer tormented by J.K. Simmons’ brutal instructor. Teller performed the actual drumming himself, drawing on skills developed since age 16 in church youth bands.
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Blockbuster Success Era
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) delivered Miles Teller unprecedented mainstream visibility. He initially resisted starring opposite Tom Cruise, concerned about the attention a major franchise brings. Cruise personally persuaded him that playing Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw—Maverick’s deceased best friend’s son—was his perfect role.
The film’s $1.4 billion global earnings made it a historic success. Teller reflected in July 2022: “I’ve never really experienced something like this in my life.” He actively pitched studios on “Top Gun: Rooster,” a sequel focusing on his character, though studios haven’t greenlit the project as of 2025.
His earlier franchise work delivered mixed outcomes. The Divergent trilogy (2014-2016) provided commercial exposure alongside friend Shailene Woodley. Fantastic Four (2015) crashed spectacularly, earning him a Razzie nomination and proving massive budgets can’t save poor execution.
Personal Life Journey
Miles Teller approached model Keleigh Sperry at a 2013 Grammys afterparty where she turned him down three consecutive times. His persistence continued, with a lengthy valet line giving him bonus minutes to change her mind. He later said, “I would say the fact I kept coming back and trying to swoon her, I’ll give myself a pat on the back for that.”
Teller proposed at Molori Safari Lodge in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve on August 20, 2017, after four years together. Their September 1, 2019 wedding took place in Maui, Hawaii. For their fifth anniversary in 2024, Keleigh reversed tradition by proposing to him with a boat, noting “it’s not fair men don’t get proposed to.”
January 2025 brought tragedy when the Palisades Fire destroyed their Pacific Palisades home. The blaze killed 11 people and devastated thousands of properties. Keleigh posted the final evacuation photo, regretting leaving her wedding dress behind: “Pacific Palisades I love you beyond measure; you are a little slice of heaven, we will come back stronger than ever.”
Awards and Recognition
Whiplash brought Miles Teller nominations from BAFTA (Rising Star), Gotham Independent Film Awards (Best Actor), and Satellite Awards (Best Actor). The film swept 2014 Sundance Film Festival with both Audience and Grand Jury Prizes. Critics recognized how his authentic drumming elevated the physical and psychological intensity.
The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film nominated him across three different years: 2011 for Rabbit Hole, 2014 for The Spectacular Now, and 2015 for Whiplash. This repeated recognition proved his indie credibility extended beyond single breakthrough performances. He captured the Napa Valley Film Festival Rising Star Award in 2013 alongside Dianna Agron.
His 2025 projects generated fresh recognition including Astra TV Awards (Best Actor for The Gorge) and Primetime Emmy (Outstanding Television Movie as Executive Producer). Critics’ Choice Super Awards acknowledged his science fiction contributions. These nominations demonstrate sustained relevance two decades into his career.
Current Projects Portfolio
The Gorge launched February 14, 2025 on Apple TV+ with Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy playing operatives stationed across a mysterious gorge. His executive producer credit signals growing behind-camera influence. Premiering weeks after the Palisades Fire destroyed his home, he promoted the project while processing personal loss.
Eternity (2025) marked another executive producer opportunity with Teller playing Larry. The Offer (2022) on Paramount+ cast him as producer Albert S. Ruddy, recreating The Godfather’s legendary troubled production. These credits reveal his transition from hired actor to creative decision-maker.
Post-production continues on Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic featuring Teller as attorney John Branca. He’s filming Paper Tiger as Irving Graff. The Ark and the Aardvark represents his animation debut, voicing Gilbert after 20 years focused exclusively on live-action performances.
Legacy and Impact
Miles Teller embodies a different Hollywood archetype—someone refusing to hide imperfections or chase every franchise paycheck. Scars from his 2007 accident remain visible in close-ups without additional cosmetic intervention. He’s openly acknowledged believing he’s “better-looking than the public thinks,” aware of online discussions questioning his casting despite unconventional looks.
His selective approach prioritizes character depth over easy money. Reflecting on Rabbit Hole, he explained: “So I think that in the beginning of your career you’re just looking to work. Luckily for me, my first movie was ‘Rabbit Hole’ and I got to work with incredible people, a Pulitzer prize winning writer, John Cameron Mitchell, and all the actors involved. So it’s tough, man, because you want to have credibility.”
When Esquire published a controversial 2015 profile labeling him difficult, colleagues Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell defended him immediately. His commitment to authentic preparation—five months boxing for Bleed for This, real drumming in Whiplash, genuine musical abilities throughout—establishes standards many actors avoid.
Conclusion
Miles Teller spent 21 years constructing a career defined by authenticity rather than compromise. His path from NYU drama student to billion-dollar star included surviving a devastating crash, earning critical praise for Whiplash, weathering Fantastic Four’s collapse, and achieving massive Top Gun: Maverick success. At 38 with roughly $16 million earned, he balances indie respect with commercial power.
His relationship with Keleigh Sperry endured losing their home in 2025’s Palisades Fire, proving strength beyond Hollywood gloss. Executive producer roles on The Gorge, Eternity, and The Offer reveal ambitions extending past performance. With Michael and Paper Tiger in production, Teller continues evolving as both creative force and performer.
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FAQ About Miles Teller
How tall is Miles Teller?
Miles Teller is 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) tall.
What is Miles Teller’s net worth in 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth his estimated net worth is approximately $16 million as of 2025.
Who is Miles Teller married to?
He married model Keleigh Sperry on September 1, 2019 in Maui, Hawaii.
Did Miles Teller really play drums in Whiplash?
Yes, he performed most drumming himself, having played since age 16.
What happened to Miles Teller’s face?
Permanent scars from a 2007 car accident where the vehicle flipped eight times at 80 mph.
Does Miles Teller have children?
No children as of 2025, though he and Keleigh have a dog named Bugsy.
What is Miles Teller’s most successful movie?
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide.
Where did Miles Teller go to college?
NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, earning a BFA in Drama in 2009.
Hello, I’m Serena Flores, a passionate writer with over 4 years of experience in lifestyle, biography, and internet culture content. I specialize in creating engaging, easy-to-read articles that simplify modern trends, slang, and real-life stories for every reader. My goal is to make complex topics relatable, offering well-researched insights and fresh perspectives that keep readers informed, inspired, and connected.