Tommy Dorfman (born May 13, 1992) is an American actress, best known for playing Ryan Shaver in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why (2017).
Early life and education Dorfman was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, to a Jewish family.‘’https://www.out.com/celebs/2022/4/13/tommy-dorfman-recipe-for-change-jubilee-youtube-clip-jewish-trans-identities-lgbt-community Tommy Dorfman Opens Up About Being Trans & Jewish in New Special, Out.com Her cousin is Andi Dorfman, a former contestant on The Bachelorette. Dorfman graduated from Fordham University's drama program in 2015 with a B.A. in theatre arts.
Career After graduating from university, Dorfman was cast in the role of Ryan Shaver on the Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why, which premiered in 2017. Also that year, she helped design a fashion collection with ASOS, and in October was honored with the Rising Star Award by GLAAD.
In the spring of 2019, Dorfman made her New York theatrical debut in The New Group's production of Jeremy O. Harris's play Daddy, directed by Danya Taymor.
In 2024 she directed and co-wrote the film I Wish You All the Best, about a teen's coming out as non-binary, which received positive reviews. Dorfman's direction was praised by Variety as making "an attractive look and smooth pace."
In 2025, she starred in the Off-Broadway production of Becoming Eve by Emil Weinstein based on the memoir by Abby Chava Stein, playing the role of Chava. For her performance, Dorfman was nominated for the 2025 Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance and the 2026 Dorian Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in an Off-Broadway Production.
Personal life Dorfman is queer. Dorfman and Peter Zurkuhlen became engaged in April 2015 and married in Portland, Maine, on November 12, 2016. In July 2021, Dorfman revealed she and Zurkuhlen had divorced but remain friends.
In November 2017, Dorfman came out as non-binary and began using they pronouns. On July 22, 2021, Dorfman came out as a transgender woman and began using she pronouns. She revealed in an interview that she had already been "privately identifying and living as a woman" for almost a year. She chose to retain her birth name of Tommy, to which she feels "very connected" and which honors her mother's brother who died when Dorfman was a month old. In April 2022, Dorfman identified as a lesbian.
In May 2024, Dorfman revealed that she had secretly eloped with her girlfriend, Elise Williams, in Malibu, California, around late 2023.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2009 Foreign Exchange Student Short film 2013 In My Skin Julian Short film 2016 i-Witness Rob Jr. Episode: "The Smith Sisters" 2017–2018; 2020 13 Reasons Why Ryan Shaver Recurring (seasons 1–2)Guest (season 4); 18 episodes 2019 Jane the Virgin'13 Reasons Why' Star Tommy Dorfman Joins Final Season of 'Jane the Virgin' (Exclusive) by Matt Donnelly, The Wrap. Retrieved September 13, 2018. Bobby Recurring role American Princess Nick Recurring role Fluidity Daniel Insatiable Jonathan 2 episodes 2020 Love, Victor Justin Episode: "Boys' Trip" RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Guest judge Episode: "Snatch Game of Love" Love in the Time of Corona Oscar Main role 2021 The Shuroo Process Mark 2022 Sharp Stick Tali 2024 Fantasmas Commercial Director 1 episode
Stage credits YearTitleRoleVenueRef.2019DaddyPerformerOff-Broadway, Pershing Square Signature Center/Vineyard Theatre2024Romeo + JulietThe Nurse / TybaltBroadway, Circle in the Square Theatre2025Becoming EveChavaOff-Broadway, New York Theatre Workshop
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.2025Drama League AwardDistinguished PerformanceBecoming Eve2026Dorian AwardOutstanding Lead Performance in an Off-Broadway Production
References
External links