Who is Aidan Gallagher? 9 facts about the Umbrella Academy actor

Aidan Gallagher plays an adult man stuck in a boy's body in The Umbrella Academy
Aidan Gallagher in The Umbrella Academy
Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix
George Fenwick31 July 2020
The Weekender

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The Umbrella Academy is returning for its second season on Friday, re-inviting viewers into the world of dysfunctional superhero family The Hargreeves.

Aidan Gallagher plays the “young” sibling - known as Number Five - who is actually a 58-year-old man in a young boy’s body.

With the ability to jump through space and time, fans fell in love with the mischievous character played by Gallagher.

But how well do you know the young star? Here’s 9 things you need to know…

Umbrella Academy -- In pictures

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1. He’s only 16

Gallagher was born on September 18, 2003, making him just 16 years old.

2. His first big role was on Nickelodeon

Gallagher’s first major role was starring as one of four quadruplets in the Nickelodeon sitcom Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn.

The show aired from 2014-2018, and followed quadruplets who have nothing in common, but worked together to solve everyday problems.

3. He briefly appeared in Modern Family

Gallagher’s very first role was a brief, uncredited appearance in Modern Family in 2013, when he would have been 10.

According to Popbuzz, Gallagher played one of Lily’s schoolmates who was bullied in the playground.

4. He’s a singer

On top of acting, Gallagher also sings, and released his new single 4th of July on the very same date.

He announced the song on Instagram, writing: My new single “4th of July” is now available for streaming and download! Let me know what you think and what this song means to you!”

5. He’s an activist

To add to his extensive resume, Gallagher is also a passionate environmental activist.

In 2018, he was named the UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador for North America, becoming the youngest-ever UN Goodwill Ambassador to be chosen.

He has served as a youth advocate for a number of environmental organisations, including Waterkeeper Alliance, WildAid and Oceanic Preservation Society.

6. He’s vegan

Writing on Twitter last year, Gallagher revealed he had been vegan since 2015.

“I was not always Vegan. I started 4 years ago for the environment,” he wrote.

“As the leading cause of climate change I decided I had to lead by example. It was a sacrifice but after all the UN reports I read I either had to TRY or I wouldn't be sincere or committed. I've never felt better!”

7. He was a fan of The Umbrella Academy before being in the show

Gallagher told Collider that being in the show was particularly special to him given that he had been a fan of the comics when he was a kid.

“I grew up a fan of comics and hanging out in local comic book stores, talking to the store manager and seeing what their favourites are,” he said.

“I got turned onto these two graphic novels, and it was unlike anything that I had read before, so I was instantly hooked. You can imagine how excited I was, when I realised I would get to audition.”

8. He loves John Mayer

Speaking to Alt Press, Gallagher said he admires Mayer for his solo musicality.

“Everyone who knows me knows I’m crazy about John Mayer, and he has a band of great musicians,” he said.

“If you stripped the songs down to just guitar and vocals, you’d see that [they] sustain themselves.”

9. He’s preparing to release an EP

In an interview with Coup De Main, Gallagher revealed he is gearing up to release his first EP, called Blue Neon.

“The songs are about things that matter that you can’t see, but can feel in your soul,” he said.

“And how the passing of time affects those things. I’ve put in a lot of layers."

Season 1 and 2 of The Umbrella Academy are available to watch on Netflix now

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