Chase Infiniti: Young Actress Making Waves in Major Films and TV

Chase Infiniti represents the new generation of actors who combine traditional theater training with modern action skills, having rapidly risen from Chicago's local theater scene to starring alongside Hollywood icons like Leonardo DiCaprio and Elisabeth Moss, all while maintaining her authentic midwestern roots and passion for performance.

Summary

• Early Life: Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 1, 2000, named after Batman Forever character Chase Meridian and Buzz Lightyear's "to infinity and beyond" catchphrase
• Career Milestones: Started with school musicals at age 10, graduated Columbia College Chicago in 2022, booked first major role in Presumed Innocent (2024)
• Personal Life: Father Keith owns construction company, mother Kim is homemaker, has younger sister Dolcé, mixed African-American and white heritage
• Awards: Won Gotham TV Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in The Testaments, nominated for BAFTA, Critics' Choice Award, and Golden Globe
• Fun Facts: Former kickboxing trainer, co-founded K-pop cover dance group Duple Dance Crew, favorite K-pop group is ATEEZ
• Public Image: Known for her midwestern friendliness, authentic personality, and dedication to craft
• Philanthropy: No major public philanthropy noted, but uses platform for representation
• Legacy: Already being recognized as a versatile young actor with both dramatic and action capabilities
• Recent Projects: One Battle After Another (2025), The Testaments (2026), Presumed Innocent (2024)

Early Life & Background

Chase Infiniti Payne was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 1, 2000, in a family that would unknowingly give her a name destined for Hollywood. Her parents chose her middle name from two iconic pop culture sources: Dr. Chase Meridian, the criminal psychologist character played by Nicole Kidman in Batman Forever (1995), and Buzz Lightyear's famous catchphrase "to infinity and beyond" from Toy Story (1995). Infiniti uses her middle name professionally, dropping her last name Payne for her acting career. Her father, Keith, owns a construction company while her mother, Kim stays home to raise their two daughters. Infiniti has a younger sister named Dolcé, whose fashion aspirations seem to run in the family. Growing up in a multicultural household with an African-American father and white mother, Infiniti developed a unique perspective that would later influence her approach to diverse roles.

From an early age, Infiniti was exposed to the arts. Her mother often took her and her sister to theater performances, planting the seeds for what would become a lifelong passion. At just ten years old, Infiniti auditioned for her first school musical and immediately fell in love with performing. "I was like, 'I want to do this for the rest of my life,'" she recalls of that transformative moment. This early experience set her on a path that would eventually lead to Hollywood, though the journey would take several more years of hard work and dedication.

Infiniti attended the International School of Indiana, a language immersion private school where she studied French, giving her an early appreciation for different cultures. She later transferred to North Central High School, where she became extensively involved in the music and theater programs. These formative years helped her develop the discipline and work ethic that would serve her well in her professional career. After graduating in 2018, she enrolled at Columbia College Chicago to study musical theater, graduating in 2022. It was during her college years that she also worked as a kickboxing trainer and co-founded the K-pop cover dance group Duple Dance Crew, experiences that would unexpectedly prove valuable for her future acting roles.

Breakthrough / Career Journey

Infiniti's professional acting career began in earnest after her 2022 senior showcase at Columbia College Chicago, which caught the attention of a manager she initially suspected was a scam. "I thought he was a scam at first," she admits. "It was too easy—there's no way I'd get that lucky day one." But the manager was legitimate, and soon helped her secure an agent, launching her into the world of professional auditions. For six months, she averaged five tryouts per week, facing constant rejection that would have discouraged many aspiring actors. Her father had always instilled in her the importance of getting comfortable with hearing "no," a lesson that proved invaluable during this challenging period.

The turning point came when she botched a callback so badly she considered giving up acting altogether. In tears, she called her agent, convinced her career was over. Her agent's reassuring words—"It wasn't for you. Doesn't mean that you're not talented"—helped her regain confidence. A few months later, her persistence paid off when she booked her first major role in the Apple TV+ limited series Presumed Innocent (2024). The show, a legal thriller anthology series, cast her as the daughter of Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga's characters. What made this role particularly significant was that her character turned out to be the killer—a twist she only discovered on her birthday. "I found out on my birthday that I did it," she says, describing the shock of learning she'd be playing the series' central mystery.

Her performance in Presumed Innocent opened doors to even more significant opportunities. In February 2024, she joined the cast of Paul Thomas Anderson's film One Battle After Another (2025), playing the daughter of Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor's characters. The role required extensive martial arts training, building on her kickboxing background. Months of training in karate and mixed martial arts prepared her for physically demanding scenes where she had to hold her own opposite seasoned actors like Sean Penn. Anderson, who had searched extensively for someone with the right combination of gymnastics or martial arts skills and acting ability, praised her performance: "The character she plays is the center of the film. She's the heart. She's one of the few people in the film who's not mentally unstable."

Infiniti's career trajectory has been remarkable for its speed and the caliber of projects she's secured in such a short time. From her beginnings in Chicago theater to working with A-list directors and actors, her journey demonstrates both talent and timing. The transition from stage to screen wasn't always smooth—she initially resisted her professor's advice to focus on film over theater—but COVID-19's impact on theater forced her to adapt, ultimately leading her to discover her passion on-camera acting. This unexpected twist of fate set her on the path to becoming one of Hollywood's most promising young talents.

Major Roles / Franchises / Filmography Highlights

Chase Infiniti's filmography, though still developing, already contains several significant projects that showcase her range and versatility. Her breakthrough role came in Presumed Innocent (2024), the Apple TV+ legal thriller anthology series where she played a pivotal role that required both emotional depth and the ability to carry a major plot twist. The series, following a prosecutor (Gyllenhaal) suspected of murdering his colleague, gave Infiniti the challenging task of playing the actual killer—a revelation that comes as a shock to both the characters and the audience. Her performance demonstrated her ability to handle complex material while maintaining the authenticity that has become her trademark.

Even more significant has been her role in Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another (2025), an action-comedy-thriller loosely based on Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel Vineland. In this film, Infiniti plays Willa, the daughter of Leonardo DiCaprio's character Bob Ferguson, a former revolutionary whose daughter goes missing while they're both being pursued by a vengeful military leader (Sean Penn). The role demanded extensive physical preparation, with Infiniti training for months in both karate and mixed martial arts to convincingly portray a character raised to defend herself. "The character she plays is the center of the film," Anderson noted, emphasizing her importance to the story's emotional core. The experience of working with DiCaprio was particularly meaningful for Infiniti, who had been obsessed with Catch Me If Can during her high school years, creating a "crazy full-circle moment" when she finally met him.

Perhaps her most acclaimed work to date has been in The Testaments (2026), the dystopian drama television series and sequel to Hulu's hit The Handmaid's Tale. In this series, Infiniti plays the grown-up version of Elisabeth Moss's character's daughter Hannah, sharing the spotlight with established actors like Ann Dowd and Lucy Halliday. Her performance in The Testaments has earned her significant recognition, including winning the Gotham TV Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series. The role also brought her nominations for prestigious awards including the BAFTA Award, Critics' Choice Award, and Golden Globe Award, along with winning the National Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance. These accolades have firmly established her as one of the most promising young actors of her generation.

Beyond these major projects, Infiniti's career also includes work in The Julia Set, showing her willingness to explore different genres and mediums. What makes her filmography particularly notable is not just the quality of the projects, but the speed at which she has secured them. In just a few years, she has moved from local theater to starring roles in productions backed by major studios and streaming platforms. This rapid ascent speaks to both her talent and the industry's recognition of her unique combination of skills—traditional theater training, physical prowess, and an authentic screen presence that resonates with audiences.

Personal Life

Chase Infiniti maintains a relatively private personal life, especially considering her rapid rise to fame. Born and raised in Indianapolis, she often speaks fondly of her midwestern roots and how they've shaped her personality. "When I first got [to Los Angeles], I felt the city was very lonely," she admits, describing the culture shock of moving from the friendly Midwest to the fast-paced entertainment industry capital. Her upbringing in a close-knit family has given her a strong foundation, with her father's construction business providing a stable home environment while her mother's focus on family ensured the girls had consistent support.

Family remains important to Infiniti, and she frequently mentions her younger sister Dolcé, who is pursuing a career in fashion. The sisters share a close bond, and Infiniti has spoken about how her family's support has been crucial to her success. Her mixed heritage—African-American father and white mother—has also influenced her perspective and approach to her work, giving her a unique understanding of different cultures and experiences. This background has likely contributed to her ability to portray diverse characters authentically.

Despite her busy career, Infiniti maintains connections to her past life. She still considers Chicago home, where she lived during college and where she co-founded the K-pop cover dance group Duple Dance Crew. The group, which performs K-pop songs and posts videos on social media, represents one of her greatest passions outside of acting. "It is one of the most fun things to watch and to experience ever," she says of K-pop, noting that she's been obsessed with the group ATEEZ since 2018. This connection to Chicago and her dance crew provides a sense of normalcy and grounding amid the whirlwind of her Hollywood career.

Infiniti is also open about her anxiety and the challenges of adjusting to fame. "It's very scary, because I'm a very anxious person," she admits about the press tours and promotional events that come with her success. She has spoken about missing the premiere of and press interviews for Presumed Innocent because she was busy filming One Battle After Another, highlighting how demanding her schedule can be. Despite these challenges, she maintains a positive outlook and continues to pursue her dreams with enthusiasm. Her dream of voicing an animated character someday—"My dream has always been to be a Disney princess, as I'm sure everybody else's dream on the planet is"—shows her enduring love for performance and her desire to continue growing as an artist.

Awards & Achievements

Chase Infiniti's rapid rise to recognition has been marked by several significant awards and nominations that underscore her talent and the industry's appreciation for her work. Her most notable achievement to date is winning the Gotham TV Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series for her role in The Testaments (2026). This prestigious award, given by the Independent Filmmaker Project, recognizes outstanding performances in independent film and television, and winning it so early in her career speaks volumes about the impact of her work.

Building on this success, Infiniti received multiple award nominations for her performance in The Testaments, including nominations for the BAFTA Award, Critics' Choice Award, and Golden Globe Award. These nominations place her among the most recognized young actors in the industry and demonstrate the critical acclaim she has garnered for her work. The BAFTA nomination, in particular, is significant as it recognizes excellence in British and international film and television, suggesting that her performance has resonated with audiences and critics on both sides of the Atlantic.

Infiniti also won the National Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance for her work in The Testaments. This award, given by an organization of film enthusiasts and professionals, recognizes outstanding new talent in the industry and has historically been a predictor of future success. Winning this award so early in her career indicates that industry insiders see her as a performer with significant potential for long-term success.

Beyond these major awards, Infiniti has also received recognition for her work in One Battle After Another (2025), where her performance opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn earned her praise for her ability to hold her own alongside established Hollywood veterans. The film itself has generated considerable buzz, and Infiniti's role as the central character has been highlighted as one of the film's strengths.

The accumulation of these awards and nominations in such a short period of time is remarkable and speaks to Infiniti's exceptional talent and the quality of the projects she has been able to secure. At just 25 years old, she has already achieved what many actors spend decades working toward, and the recognition she has received suggests that this is just the beginning of what promises to be a long and successful career.

Recent & Upcoming Projects

Chase Infiniti's current and upcoming projects showcase her versatility and the high caliber of work she continues to attract in the entertainment industry. As of late 2024 and into 2025, her most recent work includes One Battle After Another (2025), the Paul Thomas Anderson film where she stars opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. The action-comedy-thriller, loosely based on Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel Vineland, has been a significant project in her career, requiring extensive physical training and allowing her to work with one of Hollywood's most respected directors. The film's release has further solidified her reputation as a talented young actor capable of handling complex roles in major productions.

Currently, Infiniti is filming The Testaments (2026), the sequel to Hulu's hit series The Handmaid's Tale. In this dystopian drama television series, she plays the grown-up version of Elisabeth Moss's character's daughter Hannah, sharing the spotlight with established actors like Ann Dowd and Lucy Halliday. The series, set several years after the events of The Handmaid's Tale, has given Infiniti the opportunity to explore more dramatic material and has already earned her significant recognition, including multiple award nominations. Filming for The Testaments has kept her primarily in Toronto, where she has experienced a different kind of working environment compared to her previous projects.

Looking ahead, Infiniti has expressed interest in expanding her range into new areas. She has spoken about her desire to voice an animated character someday, noting that "My dream has always been to be a Disney princess, as I'm sure everybody else's dream on the planet is." This interest in voice acting suggests she is looking to explore different aspects of her craft and expand her career beyond traditional acting roles. She has also mentioned her love for musical theater, expressing particular interest in being part of a movie adaptation of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 if one is ever made.

While Infiniti hasn't officially announced her next project after The Testaments, the series has the potential to last for several seasons, which would keep her busy in the coming years. Given her rapid rise and the success of her recent work, it's likely that she will continue to attract high-profile offers from both film and television. Her ability to balance dramatic work with physical action roles makes her particularly valuable to producers and directors looking for versatile young talent. As her career continues to develop, fans can expect to see her take on increasingly challenging and diverse roles that showcase the full range of her abilities.

Table 1: Career Timeline

Table 2: Recent & Upcoming Projects

FAQ

Q: How did Chase Infiniti get her unique name? A: Chase Infiniti was named after two pop culture icons: Dr. Chase Meridian from Batman Forever (1995) played by Nicole Kidman, and Buzz Lightyear's "to infinity and beyond" catchphrase from Toy Story (1995). She uses her middle name professionally.

Q: What training did Chase Infiniti have before becoming an actress? A: She studied musical theater at Columbia College Chicago, graduating in 2022. She also worked as a kickboxing trainer and co-founded the K-pop cover dance group Duple Dance Crew, which gave her physical skills that proved useful for her action roles.

Q: How did Chase Infiniti get her first major acting role? A: After graduating from college, her senior showcase caught the attention of a manager who helped her get an agent. She auditioned extensively for six months before booking her first major role in Presumed Innocent (2024).

Q: What makes Chase Infiniti stand out from other young actors? A: Her combination of traditional theater training, physical skills from kickboxing and martial arts training, and authentic midwestern personality sets her apart. She's also gained recognition quickly for her ability to work alongside established Hollywood stars.

Q: Has Chase Infiniti won any major awards? A: Yes, she won the Gotham TV Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series for The Testaments and was nominated for BAFTA, Critics' Choice Award, and Golden Globe Award. She also won the National Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance.

Q: What are Chase Infiniti's career goals? A: She has expressed interest in voice acting, particularly wanting to be a Disney princess, and would love to star in a movie musical. She also hopes to continue working with acclaimed directors and taking on diverse roles.

References

1. Wikipedia - Chase Infiniti
2. Vanity Fair - Need Someone to Play a Famous Actor's Kid? Call Chase Infiniti
3. IMDb - Chase Infiniti
4. People - One Battle After Another Star Chase Infiniti Reveals She Is Named After a Famous Nicole Kidman Character
5. Biography - Who Is One Battle After Another Star Chase Infiniti?