
A teenager from a town so small it barely registers on a map ends up acting opposite Matthew McConaughey within weeks of his first audition. That’s the story of Jacob Lofland, whose career began with a lucky newspaper ad and grew into roles in one of Hollywood’s biggest young-adult franchises. Here’s what’s known — and what’s still uncertain — about his journey from Briggsville, Arkansas, to the screen.
Born: July 30, 1996 ·
Hometown: Briggsville, Arkansas ·
Breakthrough: Mud (2012) ·
Franchise role: Maze Runner series ·
Current show: Landman (2024)
Quick snapshot
- Mud (2012) (Wikipedia)
- Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) (Wikipedia)
- Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018) (Wikipedia)
- Landman (TV series, 2024–) (Wikipedia)
- Relationship status – no public confirmation
- Whether he has children – no credible evidence
- Exact net worth – not verified by financial sources
- 1996: Born in Arkansas
- 2012: First acting role in Mud
- 2015–2018: Maze Runner films
- 2024: Landman debut
Six verified data points about Jacob Lofland, drawn from film industry databases and biographical sources.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jacob Seth Lofland |
| Date of birth | July 30, 1996 |
| Place of birth | Briggsville, Arkansas, USA |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Notable roles | Neckbone (Mud), Aris (Maze Runner), Cooper (Landman) |
How did Jacob Lofland get famous?
Early life in Arkansas
Jacob Seth Lofland was born on July 30, 1996 in Briggsville, Arkansas, to Billy and Debra Lofland (IMDb biography). He grew up fishing, boating, hunting, and riding dirt bikes — a childhood far removed from Hollywood. According to IMDb, he began riding dirt bikes at age six and took up go-kart racing by age 11, eventually competing in the 600 MiniSprint class (IMDb).
Breakthrough role in Mud (2012)
Lofland’s entry into acting came through an open casting call in a local Arkansas newspaper. He auditioned in Austin, Texas for the role of Neckbone in Jeff Nichols’ film Mud, and was offered the part within 24 hours (IMDb biography). The film, released in 2012, featured McConaughey and Tye Sheridan. Lofland’s natural performance earned him critical notice, and the cast won the Robert Altman Award at the 2014 Spirit Awards (BookMyShow).
Lofland’s first-ever audition landed him a role opposite an Oscar-winning actor — a rarity that underscores both his raw talent and the serendipity of the industry.
Rise with Maze Runner franchise
In 2015, Lofland joined the Maze Runner film series as Aris, a character introduced in the second installment Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (Wikipedia). He reprised the role in the 2018 finale Maze Runner: The Death Cure. The franchise’s global reach gave him a much larger audience than his indie debut.
The pattern: a small-town teenager steps into a major franchise without the usual audition room machinery. What this means: Lofland’s career path is built on specific, high-impact choices rather than a gradual climb through bit parts.
Where is Jacob Lofland now?
Recent role in Landman
Lofland currently stars as Cooper Norris in the Paramount+ series Landman, which premiered in 2024. He was cast in May 2023 (Landman Wiki – Fandom). The show, created by Taylor Sheridan, follows the oil boom in West Texas. Lofland’s character is a young adult navigating the rough world of the oil patch.
During the filming period, Lofland was 27 to 28 years old — close to the character’s age. He has publicly advocated for cancer care in West Texas, using his Instagram presence to highlight local causes (Instagram profile).
Instagram presence and advocacy
As of early 2025, Lofland’s Instagram account (@jacob_lofland) has over 231,000 followers. While he posts sparingly, he has used the platform to support cancer care initiatives in the West Texas region — a cause that aligns with the Landman setting.
A growing social media following gives Lofland influence beyond acting, but his low posting frequency limits engagement — a deliberate choice to keep his off-screen life private.
Acting projects after Maze Runner
Between the Maze Runner finale and Landman, Lofland appeared in the TV series Justified (2014) and The Son (2017–2019) (Landman Wiki – Fandom). He has not announced any upcoming film projects outside of Landman.
Why this matters: Lofland’s career after the franchise shows a deliberate pivot toward prestige television rather than chasing blockbuster sequel offers.
Is Jacob Lofland in a relationship?
Relationship status
There is no public confirmation of Lofland being in a relationship. He keeps his personal life private, and no verified source has named a partner or spouse. Social media offers no clues — his Instagram feed focuses on work and advocacy.
Rumors and confirmations
Online forums occasionally speculate about his relationship status, but none of these rumors are supported by credible reporting. Lofland has never given an interview discussing a partner.
Privacy around personal life
In an era where many actors share intimate details online, Lofland’s restraint is notable. He has not addressed relationship rumors or provided any statement about marriage or dating.
The catch: Fans searching for personal details will find only unanswered questions. What is clear is that Lofland chooses to be defined by his work, not his private life.
Timeline: Jacob Lofland’s career milestones
- 1996 – Born in Briggsville, Arkansas (Wikipedia)
- 2012 – First acting role: Neckbone in Mud (IMDb)
- 2015 – Appeared in Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials as Aris (Wikipedia)
- 2018 – Reprised role in Maze Runner: The Death Cure (Wikipedia)
- 2024 – Starred in TV series Landman (Wikipedia)
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Jacob Lofland was born July 30, 1996 in Arkansas (Wikipedia)
- He acted in Mud (2012) and the Maze Runner series (2015, 2018) (Wikipedia)
- He has 231K Instagram followers as of early 2025 (Instagram)
- He currently appears in the TV series Landman (Wikipedia)
What remains unclear
- Whether he is in a relationship or married
- Whether he has any children
- His exact net worth – no verified financial source
- Any future projects beyond Landman
Frequently asked questions
What was Jacob Lofland’s first movie?
His first movie was Mud (2012), directed by Jeff Nichols, where he played Neckbone.
Is Jacob Lofland related to any other actors?
There is no public information indicating he is related to other actors.
How did Jacob Lofland get cast in Mud?
He responded to an open casting call in a local Arkansas newspaper and auditioned in Austin, Texas. He was offered the role within 24 hours, according to IMDb.
What is Jacob Lofland doing in 2025?
He is starring in the TV series Landman on Paramount+.
Did Jacob Lofland do his own stunts in Maze Runner?
There is no verified public statement from Lofland or production sources addressing this question.
Where does Jacob Lofland live now?
He has not publicly disclosed his current residence. He previously lived in Arkansas.
What is Jacob Lofland’s Instagram handle?
His Instagram handle is @jacob_lofland.