Lewis Pullman is an American actor who has steadily moved from supporting film roles to major Hollywood productions and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Born on January 29, 1993, in Los Angeles, California, he is the son of actor Bill Pullman and artist Tamara Pullman. His career includes films such as Bad Times at the El Royale, Top Gun: Maverick, The Starling Girl, Salem’s Lot, and Thunderbolts.*
For viewers discovering Lewis Pullman through Marvel or Top Gun: Maverick, his earlier work provides useful context. He has built a reputation for choosing different types of characters rather than remaining tied to one genre.
Who Is Lewis Pullman?
Lewis James Pullman began working professionally as an actor in the 2010s. His early screen credits included short films before he moved into feature films, with his first feature appearance coming in The Ballad of Lefty Brown in 2017. He subsequently appeared in Lean on Pete and gained wider attention in 2018 through The Strangers: Prey at Night and Bad Times at the El Royale.
His family background naturally attracts attention, particularly because his father, Bill Pullman, is a well-known actor. However, Lewis has developed a filmography that spans psychological thrillers, dramas, westerns, action films, television and superhero cinema.
Early Career and Breakthrough Roles
One of his most notable early performances came in Bad Times at the El Royale, where he played Miles Miller. The film gave Pullman an opportunity to work within a large ensemble while carrying a character with considerably more emotional complexity than his relatively young career might have suggested.
He also appeared in Hulu’s Catch-22, playing Major Major Major Major. The miniseries demonstrated his ability to work in television while continuing to build his film career.
Lewis Pullman in Top Gun: Maverick
For many audiences, Top Gun: Maverick was the role that changed the scale of his career. Pullman played Lieutenant Robert “Bob” Floyd, a member of the younger generation of naval aviators trained by Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
Paramount identifies Pullman as Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd in the official cast of the 2022 film.
Bob is quieter than several of his fellow pilots, which gives the character a different presence within the ensemble. Pullman’s performance also helped establish him as an actor capable of holding his own in a major studio production alongside Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Glen Powell and Jennifer Connelly.
The film became an important turning point because it introduced his work to a much larger international audience.
Notable Movies and TV Shows
The range of Lewis Pullman’s filmography is one of the most interesting parts of his career. Rather than concentrating exclusively on blockbusters, he has alternated between mainstream productions and smaller dramatic projects.
| Year | Title | Role | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | The Ballad of Lefty Brown | Frank | Film |
| 2018 | Bad Times at the El Royale | Miles Miller | Film |
| 2019 | Catch-22 | Major Major Major Major | Miniseries |
| 2022 | Top Gun: Maverick | Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd | Film |
| 2023 | The Starling Girl | Owen Taylor | Film |
| 2024 | Salem’s Lot | Ben Mears | Film |
| 2025 | Thunderbolts* | Robert “Bob” Reynolds / Sentry | Film |
His other notable credits include Them That Follow, Press Play, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Skincare and Riff Raff. He also appeared in the Apple TV+ miniseries Lessons in Chemistry as Calvin Evans, earning a 2024 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
💡 Pro Tip: If you are exploring his work for the first time, start with Bad Times at the El Royale and Top Gun: Maverick. Together, they show the contrast between his character-driven dramatic work and his large-scale studio roles.
Lewis Pullman as Sentry in Thunderbolts*
A major new chapter arrived with Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*. Pullman plays Robert “Bob” Reynolds, a character whose story is closely connected with the powerful Sentry identity. Marvel lists Pullman among the film’s principal cast alongside Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The film was released in May 2025.
The role is particularly significant because it gives Pullman a central place in the MCU rather than simply another supporting appearance. The character also provides an opportunity to move between vulnerable human drama and superhero-scale storytelling.
Marvel’s current movie schedule lists Avengers: Doomsday for December 18, 2026, placing the MCU’s next phase among the projects attracting attention around Pullman’s Marvel future.
What Makes His Career Stand Out?
The strongest feature of Lewis Pullman’s career is its variety. He has worked in westerns, horror, crime dramas, literary adaptations, television miniseries, military action and superhero films.
That range matters because it prevents his public identity from being defined by one successful role. His performances in projects such as The Starling Girl and The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial sit very differently from his work in Top Gun: Maverick or Thunderbolts*.
His Emmy recognition for Lessons in Chemistry also shows that his work has extended beyond theatrical releases and franchise entertainment.
📌 Key Takeaway: Lewis Pullman has progressed from early independent and supporting roles into major productions without abandoning character-focused projects. Top Gun: Maverick expanded his audience, while Thunderbolts* established him within the MCU.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Lewis Pullman?
Lewis Pullman was born on January 29, 1993, in Los Angeles, California. As of September 2026, he is 33 years old. He is the son of actor Bill Pullman and artist Tamara Pullman.
What is Lewis Pullman best known for?
He is particularly recognized for playing Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd in Top Gun: Maverick and Robert “Bob” Reynolds/Sentry in Thunderbolts*. Earlier films such as Bad Times at the El Royale also played an important role in establishing his career.
Is Lewis Pullman related to Bill Pullman?
Yes. Lewis Pullman is the son of actor Bill Pullman. Lewis has nevertheless developed his own filmography, with credits ranging from independent dramas and television to major studio franchises.
What Marvel character does he play?
In Thunderbolts*, Pullman plays Robert “Bob” Reynolds, also known as Sentry. Marvel lists him among the film’s principal cast.
What are some of his best-known movies?
Among his better-known films are Bad Times at the El Royale, Top Gun: Maverick, The Starling Girl, Salem’s Lot and Thunderbolts*. His filmography also includes Lean on Pete, Them That Follow, Press Play and Riff Raff.
Lewis Pullman’s career is notable not simply because of his family connection or Marvel profile, but because of the variety of roles he has taken on. From the restrained Bob Floyd in Top Gun: Maverick to the much more demanding Sentry in Thunderbolts*, his trajectory shows an actor moving comfortably between intimate drama and large-scale entertainment. For anyone researching Lewis Pullman, his filmography offers a useful picture of an actor whose biggest roles are part of a broader and increasingly diverse career.
