One of the stars of Bill & Ted Face the Music, who is non-binary, is reintroducing themselves with a new name: Jack Haven.
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Haven recently took the spotlight in last year’s I Saw the TV Glow, a horror film that serves as both a nostalgic homage to ’90s pop culture and a poignant allegory about identity. Given the film’s message, it’s only fitting Haven is fully embracing their own identity.
Previously known as Brigette Lundy-Paine, the actor, who played Ted’s (Keanu Reeves) daughter Billie in the 2020 Bill & Ted movie, shared on Instagram that they will now go by Jack Haven going forward. They also explained how they came upon the new moniker. It turns out, it’s an homage to a family member who wrote a holiday music standard.
“I am changing my name, going by Jack Haven now,” they wrote in a recent Instagram post. “Haven is after my great great uncle, Haven Gillespie, who was a songwriter known for the xmas hit ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ which he wrote on the subway in 15 minutes. And first name Jack has stuck.”
Haven shared that their journey with their new name began two years ago during a workshop led by Iranian actor Saman Arastoo. “I said I was using it in safe spaces,” they added. “Saman said use it in dangerous spaces. So I use it in the men’s bathroom.”
Jack Haven’s Breakout Role Was in Netflix’s Atypical
Haven’s reference to a “dangerous space” may point to the United States, as their announcement followed President Trump’s inauguration, where he declared a policy recognizing only two genders, male and female. He later signed an executive order to make this policy official, stating that these sexes are fixed and unchangeable.
In the comments to Haven’s post, fans showed overwhelming support.
“We love you. Thank you for giving me the confidence to be my true self,” one fan wrote. “love you Jack Haven,” a second fan added.
The nonbinary actor first gained attention for their roles in Alexander Payne’s Downsizing and Destin Daniel Cretton’s The Glass Castle. They later rose to prominence as Casey Gardner in Netflix’s Atypical. In the series, they play Casey, the older sibling of Sam (Keir Gilchrist), the autistic main character. Over time, Casey’s character goes on a journey of self-discovery and eventually comes out as bisexual.
Haven also recently received widespread acclaim for their performance as Maddy in I Saw the TV Glow, which writer-director Jane Schoenbrun described as a trans allegory.