Jordan Nagai was born on February 5, 2000, in Los Angeles, California, United States. He has an older brother, Hunter Nagai. Both brothers showed an early interest in acting, with Jordan eventually gaining national attention. While their parents supported their involvement in the entertainment industry, they also placed a strong emphasis on education and personal development. The Nagai family made a conscious decision to prioritize academics, believing that fame at a young age could potentially distract their sons from making sound life choices.
Jordan’s parents have maintained a cautious stance when it comes to their sons’ involvement in the entertainment industry. Aware of the challenges that can accompany childhood fame—such as the difficulty of adjusting to adult life—they decided that Jordan and Hunter should complete their education before pursuing more demanding careers in the spotlight. They hoped this approach would help instill resilience and the ability to distinguish right from wrong as they matured.
Jordan Nagai gained widespread recognition for voicing Russell, the earnest and endearing young Wilderness Explorer in Pixar’s 2009 animated film Up. Despite having limited roles, his performance left a strong impression. In addition to Up, he provided the voice for the character Charlie in the The Simpsons episode titled “O Brother, Where Bart Thou?”
Following his remarkable debut, Jordan was honored with the Breakout Performance Award in 2010 by East West Players, a leading Asian American theater organization. This recognition celebrated his memorable portrayal in Up and applauded the film’s inclusion of an Asian American lead character.
Up is a 3D animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The story centers around Carl Fredricksen, a widowed elderly man who sets out on an adventure to South America by attaching thousands of balloons to his home. Russell, voiced by Nagai, accompanies Carl on this journey, providing comic relief and emotional depth to the storyline.
The film was met with widespread acclaim, winning several prestigious awards including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score at the 82nd Academy Awards. It also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film and multiple honors at the Annie Awards. Rotten Tomatoes awarded it the Golden Tomato for Best-Reviewed Animated Film of the Year.
Jordan’s casting was as serendipitous as it was unconventional. During casting auditions attended by over 400 children, Jordan originally accompanied his older brother, Hunter, who was auditioning for the role. Jordan’s energetic and talkative personality caught the attention of the casting team. Despite some initial nervousness and challenges during line readings, his natural charisma ultimately secured him the role. Director Pete Docter noted that while Jordan occasionally struggled with following the script, his voice and demeanor were a perfect match for the character of Russell.
| Birth Date: | 5 Feb, 2001 |
| Age: | 19 yrs |
| Occupations: | Actor Television actor Voice actor Film actor |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Los Angeles |
| Education: | Washington University in St. Louis |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor |
| Twitter Id: | Jordannagai |
| Net Worth 2021: | 700 thousand |
