Zazie Beetz (born Zazie Olivia Beetz) is a German-American actress recognized for her versatility across independent films, major blockbusters, and television projects.
She gained widespread recognition for her role as Vanessa “Van” Keefer in the critically acclaimed FX series Atlanta (2016–2022), a performance that earned her an Emmy nomination.
Essential Data
- Full Name: Zazie Olivia Beetz
- Stage Name: Zazie Beetz
- Born: June 1, 1991
- Age: 35 years old
- Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
- Nationality: German-American (dual citizenship)
- Occupation: Actress
- Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m)
- Religion: Not publicly known
- Parents: Thomas Beetz and Michelle Beetz
- Siblings: Justin Beetz (younger brother)
- Spouse: David Rysdahl (m. 2023)
- Children: None
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $2–5 million
Early Life and Education
Zazie Olivia Beetz was born on June 1, 1991, in Berlin, Germany. She was raised by her parents, Thomas Beetz, a German cabinetmaker from East Germany who moved to the United States shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Michelle Beetz, an African-American social worker from New York City.
The couple met in the United States before relocating to Germany, where Zazie was born. She has a younger brother named Justin Beetz, and her parents separated when she was still very young.
She attended preschool in Berlin and kindergarten in New York before her family settled more permanently in New York City when she was eight.
Beetz graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (the famed “Fame” school) in 2009 and attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. In 2013, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French.
She grew up in the Washington Heights neighbourhood of Manhattan and was raised bilingual, speaking German and English at home, and continued visiting Germany regularly during the summer for camps and family time.
Career
Zazie Beetz began her acting career shortly after graduating from college in 2013. She started with small roles in independent films such as James White (2015), Applesauce (2015), Wolves (2016), and Sollers Point (2017), along with a supporting role in the big-budget film Geostorm (2017).
Her major breakthrough came in 2016 when she was cast as Vanessa “Van” Keefer in the FX series Atlanta. She played the role across all four seasons until 2022, earning widespread critical praise and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Beetz achieved international fame in 2018 with her role as Domino in Deadpool 2, where her performance as the luck-powered mutant made her a fan favourite.
The following year, she starred as Sophie Dumond in Joker (2019) alongside Joaquin Phoenix, and later reprised the character in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024).
She has continued to showcase her range in projects such as The Harder They Fall (2021), Bullet Train (2022), and Nine Days (2020).
In animation, she voiced Diane Foxington in The Bad Guys (2022) and its sequel. Beetz has also appeared in television series such as Invincible, Easy, and Black Mirror.
In 2026, she stars in her first major lead role in the horror-action film They Will Kill You (released March 2026). Other recent/upcoming projects include The Dutchman, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, and additional voice work.
Social Media
- Instagram: @zaziebeetz
Personal Life
Zazie Beetz is currently married to actor and writer David Rysdahl. The couple met in an acting workshop around 2014 and began dating that same year.
They got engaged in 2022 and tied the knot in a private ceremony in Germany in September 2023. Their wedding took place at Salveymühle by Zaza in Uckermark and featured an Alice in Wonderland theme.
Beetz and Rysdahl have collaborated on several projects, including the films *Dead Pigs* and *Nine Days*, and they co-founded their own production company, Sleepy Poppy.
They are known for maintaining a low-key and private relationship, often choosing to keep personal matters out of the spotlight. She has no children and continues to split her time between work and a relatively quiet life with her husband.
Net Worth
Zazie Beetz’s net worth is estimated to be between $2 million and $5 million. She has built her wealth primarily through her acting career, earning significant income from her breakthrough role in the series Atlanta, standout performances in major films such as Deadpool 2 and Joker, and voice roles in projects like The Bad Guys.
Filmography
- Geostorm (2017)
- Deadpool 2 (2018)
- Joker (2019)
- Nine Days (2020)
- The Harder They Fall (2021)
- Bullet Train (2022)
- The Bad Guys (2022)
- Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
- The Bad Guys 2 (2025)
- They Will Kill You (2026)
Television
- Atlanta (2016–2022)
- Invincible (2021–present)
- Easy (2016–2019)
- Full Circle (2023)
- Black Mirror and other anthology appearances