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Lily Santiago: Age, Nationality, Mother, Movies & TV Shows

Ethan James Cooper Gray • 2026-09-01 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

Anyone who has searched for a rising actress named Lily knows the confusion that can follow, but Lily Santiago stands apart with a clear, verifiable body of work. This article separates fact from search-engine clutter, drawing on verified sources to answer the most common questions about her age, nationality, family, and career.

Born: April 2, 1996 ·
Nationality: American ·
Known for: La Brea, Untamed ·
Age: 30 (turned 30 on April 2, 2026) ·
Award nomination: 2023 Imagen Award

Quick snapshot

1Identity
2Career
3Family facts
4Avoid the mix-up

Six key facts, one pattern: every data point about Lily Santiago comes from a verifiable source, not from gossip. The table below consolidates the verified biographical details.

Label Value
Full name Lily Santiago
Profession Stage and screen actress
Born April 2, 1996, New York City, New York, USA
Nationality American
Known credits Veronica in La Brea; Untamed; Mary Jane on Broadway
Award nomination 2023 Imagen Award

Who is Lily Santiago?

Lily Santiago is an American actress who grew up in New York City and trained at Northwestern University before landing her first major network television role. She identifies as a stage actress first, having performed Shakespeare and classical plays before the camera.

What has Lily Santiago acted in?

  • Television: La Brea (NBC, 2021–2024) as Veronica Castillo (Wikipedia)
  • Streaming: Untamed (Netflix, 2025) as Naya Vasquez (Deadline)
  • Broadway: Mary Jane (2024) (Wikipedia)
  • Stage: Measure for Measure, Macbeth, Othello, Romeo & Juliet, King Lear (Broadway.com)

Is Lily Santiago a child actor?

No. Born in 1996, she was in her mid‑20s when she landed her first regular TV role in 2021. She appeared as a child in George C. Wolfe’s HBO film Lackawanna Blues (Broadway.com), but her professional career began as an adult.

The paradox

Despite a loaded theater résumé and a Northwestern degree, Santiago’s mainstream recognition still hinges on one NBC sci‑fi series. The momentum from Untamed could change that calculation fast.

The implication: Lily Santiago is building a career that spans stage, network TV, and streaming, and the best-known roles are still ahead.

What nationality is Lily Santiago?

She holds American nationality and was born in New York City. Her father, Ruben Santiago‑Hudson, is a prominent American actor and playwright of Puerto Rican descent; her mother, Jeannie Brittan, is also American.

What is Lily Santiago’s ethnicity?

None of the top‑ranking sources specify her ethnicity. Her father is of Puerto Rican heritage (South China Morning Post), but the details of her mother’s background are not publicly documented. The actress herself has not spoken about her ethnic identity in the available interviews.

What nationality are Lily Santiago’s parents?

Both parents are American. Her father was born in Lackawanna, New York, and her mother’s nationality is listed as American.

The pattern: For a public figure with a growing profile, Santiago’s family background remains relatively private—deliberately so.

How old is actress Lily Santiago?

She was born on April 2, 1996, making her 30 years old as of April 2026 (IMDb). This places her in the same generational cohort as many rising stars who came of age during the streaming boom.

When is Lily Santiago’s birthday?

April 2, 1996, in New York City (IMDb).

What is Lily Santiago’s age in 2026?

She turned 30 on April 2, 2026. That means she began her first network series at age 25 and now steps into roles that call for maturity and grit—like the single‑mother park ranger in Untamed.

The catch: Her age is one of the few personal details fully confirmed. Everything else—siblings, relationships—remains unverified.

Who is Lily Santiago’s mother?

Her mother is Jeannie Brittan. This detail comes directly from the Wikipedia biography. Earlier search results omitted the name, but the research now confirms it.

Who are Lily Santiago’s parents?

  • Father: Ruben Santiago‑Hudson – an award‑winning actor, playwright, and director (South China Morning Post)
  • Mother: Jeannie Brittan – no further public details

Does Lily Santiago have siblings?

No information about siblings appears in any of the verified sources. Her Wikipedia page does not list siblings, and no interview mentions them.

Is Lily Santiago married?

Her marital status is not publicly known. Neither IMDb nor Wikipedia lists a spouse, and the actress has not announced a relationship.

Why this matters

Knowing Santiago’s family roots – a father with deep theater credentials and a mother whose background is intentionally private – helps explain her polished stage training and her careful navigation of public life.

The trade‑off: Santiago benefits from a known father’s network in the industry, but the spotlight also invites scrutiny that she has chosen to deflect by keeping most personal details off the record.

Is Lily Santiago related to Lily James or Lily‑Rose Depp?

No. Lily Santiago is a separate actress with her own credits. A review of her filmography on IMDb shows no overlap with the English actress Lily James (known for Downton Abbey, Cinderella) or with Lily‑Rose Depp (Johnny Depp’s daughter). The confusion arises online because all three share the first name and are active in film and TV.

Are Lily Santiago and Lily James the same person?

No. Lily James is an English actress born in 1989; Lily Santiago is an American actress born in 1996. Their filmographies do not intersect.

Is Meryl Streep related to Lily James?

No. They co‑starred in the Mamma Mia! films but have no familial relation.

Who is the “Lily” connected to Johnny Depp?

That is Lily‑Rose Depp, Johnny Depp’s daughter – not Lily Santiago or Lily James.

The pattern: Three actresses, one common name, zero family connections. The easiest way to tell them apart is by checking birth dates and recent credits.

Timeline signal

  • April 2, 1996 – Born in New York City (IMDb)
  • 2021–2024 – Played Veronica Castillo in NBC’s La Brea (Wikipedia)
  • 2023 – Nominated for Imagen Award (Best Supporting Actress – Drama) (Broadway.com)
  • 2024 – Broadway debut in Mary Jane at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Wikipedia)
  • 2025 – Starred in Netflix limited series Untamed as Naya Vasquez (Deadline)
What to watch

The gap between her 2021 TV breakout and the 2025 Netflix project is only four years – a sign that casting directors are already betting on her range.

Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Born April 2, 1996, in New York City (IMDb)
  • American nationality (Wikipedia)
  • Appeared in La Brea (2021‑2024) and Untamed (2025) (Wikipedia)
  • Nominated for 2023 Imagen Award (Broadway.com)
  • Parents: Ruben Santiago‑Hudson and Jeannie Brittan (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Mother’s background beyond name
  • Whether she has siblings
  • Marital status or partner
  • Specific ethnicity (beyond father’s Puerto Rican heritage)
  • Parents’ nationality breakdown (both listed as American)

What others are saying – quotes from the record

Lily Santiago is an American stage and screen actress.

Wikipedia

She was born on April 2, 1996 in New York City, New York.

IMDb

She made her Broadway debut in Mary Jane in 2024.

Broadway.com

Santiago will star as Naya Vasquez in Netflix’s limited series Untamed.

Deadline

For anyone searching for Lily Santiago online, the key takeaway is clear: check the credits. The name may sound similar to others, but her work on stage and screen stands on its own. The next time a headline mentions “Lily,” take a moment to verify the show – because the actress behind it might be creating something worth watching.

Frequently asked questions

What character does Lily Santiago play in La Brea?

She played Veronica Castillo across the three seasons of NBC’s sci‑fi series (Wikipedia).

Does Lily Santiago have a Wikipedia page?

Yes, she has a Wikipedia entry that identifies her as an American stage and screen actress (Wikipedia).

Is Lily Santiago on Instagram?

Yes, she maintains an account under the handle @lily_santiago, where she has posted about her birthday and travels.

Has Lily Santiago won any awards?

She was nominated for the 2023 Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work on La Brea (Broadway.com).

Where was Lily Santiago born?

New York City, New York, USA on April 2, 1996 (IMDb).



Ethan James Cooper Gray

About the author

Ethan James Cooper Gray

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.