In the ever-shifting landscape of Hollywood, few actors have managed to balance the “alt-indie” cool of the early 2000s with the sophisticated, dramatic weight of 2026’s prestige television. Lizzy Caplan is that rare talent who can transition from a biting, dry-witted teen icon to a complex lead in a political thriller without ever losing her signature edge.
As of February 2026, Caplan is navigating a career high, fresh off the success of her 2025 Netflix conspiracy thriller Zero Day and her surprising (yet highly anticipated) return to a certain magic-fueled franchise.
Lizzy Caplan Biography
Born Elizabeth Anne Caplan on June 30, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, Lizzy grew up in the heart of the Miracle Mile district. Raised in a Reform Jewish household, her upbringing faced both creative freedom and early hardship; she lost her mother to cancer when she was just 13 years old.
While she originally studied piano at Alexander Hamilton High School’s Academy of Music, she ultimately pivoted to drama, famously deciding to skip college to pursue acting full-time. It was a gamble that paid off within a year when she landed her first role in the cult-classic series Freaks and Geeks.
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Career
Lizzy’s career is a masterclass in longevity and “the pivot.” After breaking through as the cynical Janis Ian in Mean Girls, she refused to be typecast, moving into gritty television and high-concept films:
- The Indie/Comedy Era: She earned a devoted following for her roles in True Blood and the cult-favorite catering comedy Party Down.
- The Dramatic Shift: Her portrayal of Virginia Johnson in Masters of Sex (2013–2016) earned her an Emmy nomination and proved she was a heavyweight lead.
- The 2026 Horizon: Most recently, she starred alongside Robert De Niro and Angela Bassett in the 2025 Netflix series Zero Day. In February 2026, she made headlines during an interview with Conan O’Brien, where she teased a “top secret” project rumored to be a dark comedy for HBO.
Lizzy Caplan Movies
While she is a television powerhouse, her filmography is packed with cultural touchstones:
- Mean Girls (2004): The film that made her a household name.
- Cloverfield (2008): A turn toward found-footage horror that showcased her range.
- 127 Hours (2010): A quiet, intense role alongside James Franco.
- Now You See Me 2 (2016): Joining the “Horsemen” as the magic-wielding Lula.
- Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (2025): Lizzy officially reprised her role as Lula in the third installment, which premiered in late 2025 to box office success.
- Cobweb (2023): A chilling performance in a modern horror-thriller.
Lizzy Caplan Net Worth
As of early 2026, Lizzy Caplan’s net worth is estimated at $5 million. While she has starred in major blockbusters, she chooses projects based on script quality rather than paycheck size, maintaining a steady income through her work as both an actress and a producer.
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Family
Lizzy remains close to her siblings, a brother, Benjamin, and a sister, Julie, and her father, Richard, a lawyer. She is also the niece of the legendary late publicist Howard Bragman. In late 2021, Lizzy expanded her own family, welcoming her first child, a son named Alfie. In early 2026, she revealed that she and her husband have recently relocated to New York City to raise their son closer to the East Coast theater scene.
The Relationships That Shaped Her
Lizzy Caplan and Matthew Perry
One of the most private yet long-standing relationships in Hollywood history was between Lizzy and the late Matthew Perry. The pair dated for six years, from 2006 to 2012. In his 2022 memoir, Perry revealed that they almost got engaged and that his “fear of intimacy” ultimately led to their split. Despite the breakup, they remained on respectful terms until his passing in 2023.
Lizzy Caplan and Tom Riley
In 2015, while filming Now You See Me 2 in London, Lizzy met British actor and producer Tom Riley. The pair hit it off immediately and married in a stunning ceremony on Italy’s Amalfi Coast in September 2017. As of early 2026, they are one of the stablest couples in the industry, often appearing together on red carpets for their respective projects. Tom is frequently credited by Lizzy as the “father of the century” for his support of her career.
Controversies
Lizzy has largely avoided the typical “Hollywood scandal.” However, she hasn’t been afraid of a little friction:
- The Gambit Stress: In early 2025, she opened up about the “immense stress” she felt while attached to the ill-fated Gambit movie starring Channing Tatum, which was eventually scrapped.
- The Mean Girls Fight: In late 2025, she revealed she actually had to “fight” to play Janis Ian, as producers originally wanted to cast someone else. Her candidness about the industry’s casting politics was hailed by many younger actors as a breath of fresh air.
Lizzy Caplan Age
As of early 2026, Lizzy Caplan is 43 years old. She will celebrate her 44th birthday on June 30, 2026.
Lizzy Caplan Now
Now, Lizzy is embracing her status as a “bicoastal” actor. Since moving to New York in 2025, she has been at various Broadway events and is reportedly looking for her first major stage role. With Zero Day streaming and Now You See Me 3 recently in theaters, she is currently one of the most visible and respected actresses of her generation.
Conclusion
Lizzy Caplan has managed to stay relevant for over 25 years by being unapologetically herself. Whether she’s performing magic on the big screen or leading a political conspiracy on Netflix, she remains the smartest, coolest person in the room.
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