Joseph Zada is one of the young Australian actors attracting growing international attention. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Zada began acting at a young age and has gradually built experience across Australian film and television before taking on a major international role. His profile received a significant boost when he was cast as young Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the upcoming prequel based on Suzanne Collins’ novel.
For fans of The Hunger Games, the casting is particularly interesting because Haymitch is already one of the franchise’s best-known characters. In the original films, the older version of Haymitch was played by Woody Harrelson. Zada is now taking on the younger version of the character, giving audiences the opportunity to see a different chapter of Haymitch’s life.
Who Is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada is an Australian actor whose professional career began with Australian productions before expanding toward major international projects. He was born in Sydney in 2005 and has worked under the professional name Joseph Zada; some biographical sources identify his birth name as Joseph Cumpston.
Zada’s early career included the 2019 film Bilched, followed by appearances in projects such as The Speedway Murders and the television series Total Control. He later appeared in the Australian drama Invisible Boys and gained international exposure through Amazon Prime Video’s We Were Liars. His upcoming work includes East of Eden, as well as the highly anticipated The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
His career is notable because he has been building his résumé gradually rather than becoming famous from a single project. That experience could be valuable as he moves into larger productions with international audiences.
Joseph Zada Age
Joseph Zada was born on July 21, 2005. As of August 2026, he is 21 years old.
Although he is still young, Zada already has several acting credits. His age also makes his casting as the younger Haymitch particularly fitting for Sunrise on the Reaping, which explores an earlier period in the character’s life.
The actor’s rise is happening at an interesting point in his career. He has moved from smaller Australian productions into projects connected to major international streaming and film franchises. If Sunrise on the Reaping performs strongly, the role could introduce him to a much larger worldwide audience.
Joseph Zada Height
Joseph Zada is widely reported as being around 6 feet 1 inch tall, or approximately 185 centimeters.
Height information about actors can vary between entertainment databases, so readers should treat these figures as reported rather than as an officially confirmed measurement. Nevertheless, his reported height places him among the taller young actors currently gaining attention.
For fans searching for quick facts about the actor, Joseph Zada’s age, height, birthplace and role in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping are among the most commonly discussed details about his growing career.
Joseph Zada’s Acting Career
Zada began building his acting résumé in Australia. One of his early credited projects was Bilched, a 2019 coming-of-age film. He later appeared in The Speedway Murders and made television appearances, including work on Total Control.
His television work expanded with Invisible Boys, an Australian drama series released in 2025. He also became part of the cast of We Were Liars, an adaptation released on Amazon Prime Video in 2025. IMDb lists The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, We Were Liars and Total Control among his known projects.
These roles helped establish Zada as a young actor capable of working across different types of productions. His move from Australian television and independent film toward major streaming and franchise projects demonstrates how quickly his professional opportunities have expanded.
Joseph Zada in The Hunger Games
The biggest role of Joseph Zada’s career so far is undoubtedly Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Lionsgate announced Zada as the young Haymitch in April 2025, alongside Whitney Peak, who plays Lenore Dove Baird.
The movie is based on Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel Sunrise on the Reaping. The story takes place 24 years before the events of the first The Hunger Games movie and centers on the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. Young Haymitch is selected to compete in the deadly event.
The casting is significant because audiences already know Haymitch as the mentor of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the original trilogy. Woody Harrelson portrayed the older version of the character, while Zada will explore Haymitch at a much earlier stage of his life.
What Makes His Haymitch Role Important?
Playing a younger version of an established character can be challenging because audiences already have expectations about the character. Zada therefore has to create a performance that feels connected to the Haymitch fans know while also showing a younger personality and different circumstances.
The story provides plenty of room for that development. Sunrise on the Reaping is set during the Second Quarter Quell and focuses on a younger Haymitch before the events of the original Hunger Games story.
Zada has also spoken publicly about the pressure and significance of taking on the role. In a July 2026 interview with People, he discussed playing young Haymitch ahead of the movie’s release.
Joseph Zada’s Other Upcoming Work
The Hunger Games is not the only major project connected to Zada’s growing career. He is also set to appear in East of Eden, a Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel. His involvement in both a major franchise film and a prestige literary adaptation gives him opportunities to demonstrate different sides of his acting abilities.
This variety could become an important part of his career. Actors who successfully move between franchise entertainment, television dramas and literary adaptations can build broader audiences and demonstrate versatility.
Why Joseph Zada Is Becoming Popular
There are several reasons why interest in Joseph Zada has increased. First, his casting as Haymitch connects him to one of the most recognizable young-adult film franchises of the modern era. Second, he has already appeared in several television and film projects, meaning he is not completely new to professional acting. Third, his upcoming projects give him exposure to audiences beyond Australia.
His role in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has generated particular attention. In June 2026, Variety reported on the excitement surrounding Zada’s casting, with co-star Mckenna Grace praising his potential and describing him as an actor whose profile could rise significantly following the movie.
Joseph Zada’s Family and Background
Zada comes from a family with connections to the entertainment industry. His father, Jeremy Cumpston, has worked as an actor, director and doctor, while his mother, Jessica Brentnall, has worked as a producer. His half-brother Hal Cumpston is also an actor.
Growing up around people involved in entertainment may have given Zada an early understanding of the industry. However, his own acting career has developed through individual roles and auditions, eventually leading to opportunities such as We Were Liars and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
What’s Next for Joseph Zada?
The next major milestone in Zada’s career is the release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The film is scheduled for release in the United States on November 20, 2026, with Francis Lawrence directing and Billy Ray writing the screenplay.
The movie features a large ensemble cast alongside Zada, including Mckenna Grace, Whitney Peak, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close and others.
If the film becomes a major box-office success, Zada could emerge as one of the most recognizable young actors of his generation. The role gives him an opportunity to reach audiences who may not have seen his earlier Australian work.
Final Thoughts on Joseph Zada
Joseph Zada’s career is moving quickly. From early Australian productions to television projects and international streaming series, he has steadily expanded his experience. His casting as young Haymitch Abernathy represents the biggest opportunity of his career so far and could introduce him to millions of Hunger Games fans worldwide.
With The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping scheduled for November 2026 and East of Eden among his other upcoming projects, Zada has several opportunities to establish himself beyond a single breakout performance.
For audiences discovering him for the first time, Joseph Zada is an actor worth watching. His combination of Australian screen experience, major upcoming projects and the highly anticipated Haymitch role puts him in a strong position for continued growth in Hollywood.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada was born on July 21, 2005, making him 21 years old as of August 2026.
How tall is Joseph Zada?
Joseph Zada is widely reported to be around 6 feet 1 inch, or approximately 185 cm tall.
Who does Joseph Zada play in The Hunger Games?
Joseph Zada plays the younger version of Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
When is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping coming out?
The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 20, 2026.
What other movies and shows has Joseph Zada appeared in?
His credits include Bilched, The Speedway Murders, Total Control, Invisible Boys and We Were Liars. He is also associated with the upcoming East of Eden and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Joseph Zada is one of the young actors gaining attention in Hollywood. Fans interested in young Hollywood stars may also want to learn about BetterThisFacts Tips by BetterThisWorld: Life-Changing Ideas You Need Today.
