Actress

Who Is Vaughan Murrae? Age, Parents, Coming Out, and Their Role in ‘Malcolm in the Middle’

Published

1 week ago

April 27, 2026

Who Is Vaughan Murrae? Age, Parents, Coming Out, and Their Role in 'Malcolm in the Middle'

Vaughan Murrae is a Canadian actor and model who has captured audiences with their authentic, nuanced performances. They first drew critical acclaim for their lead role in the film Before I Change My Mind.

For their role in Before I Change My Mind, they became the first non-binary actor to win the Boccalino d’Oro for Best Performance at the Locarno Film Festival – a category that was intentionally made gender-neutral to honour them.

In 2026, they joined one of television’s most beloved families, playing Kelly, the newest (and non-binary) sibling in the Hulu/Disney+ revival Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair. The role marked their first venture into comedy and introduced them to a global audience.

Here is everything you need to know about Vaughan Murrae’s age, birth name, biological parents, coming out journey, and their path to stardom.

Vaughan Murrae’s Age and Birth Name

Vaughan Murrae was born in 2005 or 2006, making them approximately 20 to 21 years old as of 2026. Their exact birth date has not been publicly shared.

Vaughan Murrae during Pride Month in 2022 (Photo: Instagram)

While they are known professionally as Vaughan Murrae, their birth name has not been disclosed. They have chosen to keep that information private and instead use Vaughan Murrae as their public identity.

Vaughan Murrae’s Biological Parents

Vaughan Murrae is from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Their mother is named Annastacia. A National Geographic Your Shot feature described them as “Vaughan Murrae, a non-binary teen actor/model, and their mom, Annastacia.”

In an Instagram post from Pride Month, Vaughan shared photos of themselves with their mother, writing that they hoped their message would “help other parents and their children feel good about who they are, and be able to navigate parent-child relationships with love.”

When Vaughan first came out, they sent their mother a simple text message. Annastacia reportedly responded immediately: “I’m already practicing [your new pronouns].” She has since become a vocal advocate for her child, educating herself about non-binary identity and working to ensure Vaughan’s safety and rights at school.

Vaughan Murrae with their mother during Pride Month in 2022 (Photo: Instagram)

Information about Vaughan’s father has not been publicly disclosed. The actor has chosen to keep that part of their family life private, focusing instead on their relationship with their mother, who has been a consistent source of support.

Vaughan Murrae’s Coming Out Story

Vaughan Murrae’s journey to understanding their identity began early. They first started questioning their gender in Grade 5. “At first, I was like, ‘Oh, I’m a lesbian,’ then I was like, ‘Nevermind, I’m a guy,’ and then I came out as non-binary.”

In Grade 4, when they cut their hair short, classmates mocked them and called them a boy. The constant bullying led to anxiety and panic attacks. Vaughan also experienced gender dysphoria, as a transmasculine identity did not fully fit them.

In Grade 6, they saw an Instagram post about they/them pronouns that gave them the language to describe who they were. Coming out was simple: they texted their mother. “Hey, mom, I’m non-binary.”

Murrae’s mother’s immediate support – “That’s great. What do you want for dinner?” – set the tone for their relationship. Vaughan has called the experience life‑changing, and they use their platform to encourage other parents to listen and learn.

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A post shared by Vaughan Murrae (@vaughanmurrae)

Vaughan came out as non‑binary after questioning their identity during grade school. They use they/them pronouns and have said that being non‑binary means the way they dress and act can be fluid. They enjoy taking on roles that are male, female, or somewhere in between.

Vaughan Murrae’s Wikipedia and Career Highlights

Vaughan Murrae has a dedicated Wikipedia page that summarizes their early life, career, and achievements. They were born in Hamilton, Ontario, and began modelling at the age of 12 before transitioning to acting.

In 2020, they appeared in the Apple TV series Ghostwriter. Their first major film role came in 2022 with Before I Change My Mind, in which they played the lead character, Robin. The film’s script was featured on the GLAAD List at Sundance 2020.

For their performance, they became the first non‑binary actor to win the Boccalino d’Oro (Golden Jug) for Best Performance at the Locarno Film Festival. The award category was intentionally changed from “Best Actor/Best Actress” to a gender‑neutral “Best Performance” to honour them.

In 2024, they played KC Goodwin in the Hallmark Channel series The Way Home, a fan‑favourite role. They have also appeared in the YouTube educational series Solutioneers.

In 2026, they joined the main cast of Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair as Kelly, the youngest child of Hal and Lois. The role marked their first comedy performance and brought them widespread recognition.

Vaughan Murrae’s Role in Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair

In the 2026 revival of the classic sitcom, Vaughan Murrae plays Kelly, the sixth and youngest child of Hal and Lois Wilkerson. Kelly’s existence was originally teased in the series finale of the original show, when Lois discovered she was pregnant again.

Now, two decades later, Kelly has arrived – and they are non‑binary. Kelly is the calm within the storm of the Wilkerson household. Unlike their brothers, Kelly has no criminal record (they are the only sibling without a file at the police station) and achieves strong grades.

Kelly is also not afraid of their mother, Lois. “Their brand of chaos is really just watching all of it unfold,” Murrae has said. “They’re not the kind of kid who will get into trouble themselves.”

The role was Murrae’s first foray into comedy. They had previously worked almost exclusively in drama, and they initially felt nervous about working with comedy legends like Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, and Frankie Muniz.

“I found that I was really able to let go and stop thinking so hard and analysing every little line and just do it,” they said. They also revealed that they thought they had bombed their audition, but they got the part.

The show’s executive producer, Tracy Katsky, has said that the inclusion of a non‑binary character reflects her own family. “Three out of four of our kids are queer, and without making it a thing and without making an issue, I think it’s really nice to have a character that’s just a facet of their personality as opposed to the entire story,” Katsky stated.

Fun Facts About Vaughan Murrae

They Are the First Non‑Binary Actor to Win a Gender‑Neutral Acting Award

For their lead role in Before I Change My Mind, Vaughan Murrae won the Boccalino d’Oro for Best Performance at the Locarno Film Festival. It was the first time in the festival’s 75‑year history that the award category was changed to be gender‑neutral.

They Were Encouraged to Pursue Modelling at Age 12

Vaughan started modelling at 12 years old. Their agency later expanded into acting, and they were offered a chance to try it. The decision felt right, and they have been acting ever since.

They Began Their Acting Career as an Angsty Teen on Ghostwriter

Their first acting job was a small role on Apple TV’s Ghostwriter. They played an angsty teenager who stole a jacket, a part they say was “very on‑brand.” The show was filmed in their hometown of Hamilton, Ontario.

They Use Their Platform to Advocate for LGBTQ+ Youth

Vaughan has spoken openly about the bullying they faced as a child and about the importance of parental support. They have shared their coming‑out story in hopes of helping other families navigate similar conversations with love and understanding.

Conclusion

Vaughan Murrae is a 20‑ to 21‑year‑old Canadian actor and model who uses they/them pronouns. They have a supportive mother named Annastacia. They came out as non‑binary in grade school via a text message to their mom, who responded with immediate acceptance. Vaughan has a Wikipedia page, has won a gender‑neutral acting award at Locarno, and is best known for playing Kelly in the Malcolm in the Middle reboot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Vaughan Murrae?

Vaughan Murrae was born in 2005 or 2006, making them 20 to 21 years old as of 2026. Their exact date of birth is unknown.

What is Vaughan Murrae’s birth name?

Vaughan Murrae has not publicly disclosed their birth name. They use Vaughan Murrae as their professional name.

Who are Vaughan Murrae’s biological parents?

Their mother’s name is Annastacia. Their father’s identity has not been publicly shared.

When did Vaughan Murrae come out as non‑binary?

They began questioning their identity in Grade 5 and came out in Grade 6 after learning about they/them pronouns on Instagram. They texted their mother to tell her.