Charles Joseph McDermott Jr. (born April 6, 1990) is an American actor and musician. After making his film debut in The Village (2004), McDermott had his breakout with a starring role in the crime drama film Frozen River (2008), earning him a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male.
Following a supporting role in Sex Drive (2008), McDermott received further mainstream recognition with his main role as Axl Heck on the ABC sitcom The Middle (2009–2018). During the 2010s, McDermott starred in the film Morning (2010) and had supporting roles in the films Hot Tub Time Machine (2010), Instant Family (2018), and Countdown (2019), as well as a recurring role as Ty in the Netflix miniseries Unbelievable (2019). In 2020 McDermott began a career in folk music with his debut album, Some Things Just Fall Out of Your Hands.
Early life and education McDermott was born Charles Joseph McDermott Jr. on April 6, 1990, in West Chester, Pennsylvania to Barbara (née Reilly) and Charles Joseph McDermott Sr. McDermott briefly attended high school at Salesianum in Wilmington, Delaware before enrolling in, and graduating from, PA Leadership Charter School (PALCS), an online school in Pennsylvania. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of 16.
Career McDermott's prominent acting roles include Axl Heck on The Middle, Wild Bill in Disappearances, and T.J. Eddy in Frozen River. In 2008, he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Frozen River.
In 2020, McDermott began releasing experimental folk music, with his debut album Some Things Just Fall Out of Your Hands. In 2022, he released a second album, Blind Warm Weight. In 2024, he embarked on a tour. McDermott explained that folk music became a way to find himself again after playing Axl Heck.
Personal life In 2017, McDermott married Sara Rejaie, and since has lived between LA and the UK. In an interview with SNACK magazine, he described the UK as a second home to him.
Filmography Film
Year Title Role Notes2004The Village10-Year-Old-Boy2005Keeping Up with the Kids"Sneaky"Short film2007DisappearancesWilliam "Wild Bill" Bonhomme Jr. All AlongTom Harrison2007The TenJake Johnson2008Holy SapienPhineasShort filmFrozen RiverTroy "T.J." Eddy Jr.Sex DriveAndyOh My Captain!EthanShort film2009Safe HarborDavid2010Hot Tub Time MachineChazMorningJesseGood GriefJack HinklerShort film2015Slow LearnersStudent In Guidance OfficeImagiGaryHenryAlso writer and director; feature film directorial debut2016Three DaysYoung SeanShort film2018Instant FamilyStewart2019CountdownScottTBAFreddiePost-production
Television Year Title Role Notes2004Windy AcresYoung GaraldMain сast (7 episodes)2005Franklin CharterWesTV movie2008The OfficeStudentEpisode: "Job Fair"Generation GapCorey WilliamsTV movie2009Captain Cook's Extraordinary AtlasPale BoyTV movieSafe HarborDavid PorterTV movieMediumBrandon WhitmanEpisode: "A Necessary Evil"Little HollywoodRichie SeamanTV pilotPrivate PracticeBobby DouglasEpisode: "What You Do for Love"2009–2018The MiddleAxl HeckMain сast (215 episodes) Directed 1 episode2010Bond of SilenceRyan AldridgeTV movie2015Super ClydeClydeUnsold Pilot2017Future ManYoung Barry FutturmanEpisode: "Operation: Natal Attraction" 2019UnbelievableTyRecurring roles
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2008 Independent Spirit Award Best Supporting Actor Frozen River 2011Young Artist AwardsOutstanding Young Ensemble in a TV Series The Middle 2015 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actor 2016Idyllwild International Festival of CinemaBest Actor in a Short FilmThree Days
References
External links Official website