Dylan Gelula is a rising star in the entertainment industry who has captured audiences’ attention with her talent. Best known for her roles in the Netflix series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and the independent film, First Girl I Loved, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Gelula has demonstrated her ability to deliver compelling performances across various genres.
Her talent for balancing humour and depth in her portrayals has earned her critical acclaim and a growing fan base.
Dylan Gelula biography
Dylan Nicole Gelula was born on May 7, 1994, in Philadelphia, situated in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, into a family that embraced Reform Judaism. She is the daughter of Karen Cofer and Jonathan Gelula.
Her educational journey began at Lower Merion High School, where she faced challenges during her teenage years. Gelula has described her high school experience as lonely, often feeling comfortable in her solitude. Her attendance was irregular, leading to a pivotal moment when she was advised to either repeat her senior year or drop out.
Ultimately, she chose to leave school and pursue her dreams in Los Angeles at the age of 17. After relocating to the home of Hollywood, Gelula worked various jobs to support herself while she sought acting opportunities. Her determination and talent soon led her to significant roles in both film and television, marking the beginning of a promising career in the entertainment industry.
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Dylan Gelula career
Gelula began her acting journey at a young age, making her film debut as an extra in M. Night Shyamalan’s Lady in the Water (2006) when she was just 10 years old. By the age of 12, she had secured a manager and was actively auditioning for roles. One of her early significant performances was in the Arden Theatre Company’s production of August: Osage County, where she played Jean Fordham.
After moving to Los Angeles at 17, Gelula faced the challenges typical of many aspiring actors. She worked various jobs, including as a waitress and a buyer at a resale store, while auditioning for roles. Her persistence paid off when she landed guest appearances on popular television shows like NCIS, Are We There Yet?, and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.
Gelula’s breakthrough came in 2016 when she starred as Anne in the romantic drama, First Girl I Loved, directed by Kerem Sanga. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, receiving critical acclaim and winning the Audience Award for ‘Best Of NEXT’. Gelula’s performance was particularly praised, marking her as a rising star in independent cinema.
Following this success, she secured a recurring role as Xanthippe Voorhees in the series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
In the years following her breakout, Gelula continued to build her filmography with appearances in various films. She appeared in Flower (2017) and Support the Girls and Her Smell, (2018). Gelula’s collaboration with director Cooper Raiff in the film Shithouse (2020) was another significant milestone. She played the lead role opposite, Raiff. The film won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the SXSW Festival.
In 2023, she appeared in Dream Scenario, a psychological dark comedy starring Nicolas Cage, where she played Molly, a talent agent’s assistant.
In addition, Gelula has ventured into podcasting, co-creating Lecture Hall with Broti Gupta in 2020. The podcast features discussions with various guests, including notable figures from the entertainment industry.
Awards
Gelula has received notable recognition for her performances throughout her career. She won the Independent Visions Award at the Sarasota Film Festival in 2016 for her role in First Girl I Loved. Additionally, she was awarded the Jury Prize for “Outstanding Performance” at the Santo Domingo Outfest in the same year for the same film.
Dylan Gelula movies
Here are some of the movies Gelula has featured in:
Films
First Girl I Loved (2016)
In her film debut, Gelula stars as Anne, a high school student who develops a crush on her best friend, a relationship that complicates her life. The film explores themes of love, identity, and the challenges of adolescence.
Flower (2017)
Gelula plays the role of Erica Vandross, a rebellious teenager who becomes involved with a much older man. The film is a dark comedy that delves into issues of sexuality and the complexities of coming-of-age.
Support the Girls (2018)
In this dramedy, Gelula portrays a waitress named Dany, who works at a sports bar that caters to men. The film focuses on the lives of the women who work there and their struggles.
Her Smell (2018)
Gelula appears as a member of a punk band in this drama centred around a self-destructive rock star played by Elisabeth Moss. The film explores themes of fame, addiction, and the impact of personal demons on relationships.
Shithouse (2020)
Gelula takes on the role of Maggie, a resident assistant at a college who forms a bond with a lonely freshman. The film, which won the Grand Jury Prize for “Best Narrative Feature” at SXSW, explores the themes of connection and loneliness in college.
Dream Scenario (2023)
Gelula plays Molly, a talent agent’s assistant, in this psychological dark comedy starring Nicolas Cage. The film follows a man whose life changes dramatically when he appears in the dreams of millions.
Television
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2020)
Gelula is best known for her role as Xanthippe Voorhees, a quirky and eccentric character in this popular Netflix series. The show follows Kimmy Schmidt, a woman who starts anew after escaping a doomsday cult.
Chasing Life (2014–2015)
In this drama series, Gelula plays Ford, a character who navigates the complexities of life alongside the main protagonist, April, who is diagnosed with cancer. The show explores themes of love, family and the challenges of young adulthood.
Jennifer Falls (2014)
Gelula portrayed Gretchen Doyle in this sitcom about a woman who, after losing her job, moves in with her estranged mother.
Dylan Gelula’s net worth
There are no reports on Gelula’s net worth currently.
Dylan Gelula family
Gelula’s father, Jonathan Gelula, worked as an entrepreneur who owned and operated a wine business.
Her mother, Karen Gelula, served as a public prosecutor.
Dylan Gelula age
Gelula was born on born on May 7, 1994. She is 32 years old as of 2026.
Dylan Gelula Instagram
Dylan Gelula is active on Instagram, where her official handle is @dylangelula. She has 54,875 followers as of the time of writing this article.
