Madeleine McGraw: Age, Movies, Sister Violet, and More

You might already know her as Gwen, the brave younger sister in the horror hit The Black Phone. But Madeleine McGraw’s story goes deeper than one film role — it’s a tale of two sisters in Hollywood, a Marvel cameo, and a Disney voice that brought a favorite character to life. At just 17, she’s carved a space in horror and family entertainment, all while keeping her personal life remarkably private.

Born: December 22, 2008 —
Age (2026): 17 —
Notable Role: Gwen in The Black Phone —
Sister: Violet McGraw (actress) —
Instagram Followers: 1M+

The implication: McGraw isn’t just a horror kid — she’s a chameleon who has worked across genres, building a resume that most young actors would envy, all before her 18th birthday.

The pattern: McGraw’s resume spans horror, animation, superhero films, and Disney Channel — a rare range for an actor her age.

Who is Madeleine McGraw related to?

Madeleine McGraw’s family ties are a frequent curiosity, partly because she shares the screen — and the spotlight — with her younger sister Violet. But misconceptions about her lineage pop up often, especially regarding country star Tim McGraw.

Who are Madeleine McGraw’s parents?

Her parents are Colin McGraw and Jackie McGraw, as confirmed by Famous Birthdays, a public biography database. Neither Colin nor Jackie are public figures or celebrities. They raised Madeleine in San Jose, California, alongside her siblings — a twin brother named Aidan, an older brother named Jack, and younger sister Violet, according to the same source.

Is Madeleine McGraw related to Tim McGraw?

No. Despite the shared last name, there is no family connection between Madeleine McGraw and the country singer Tim McGraw. The similarity is purely coincidental. Tim McGraw’s acting credits include films like The Blind Side and Tomorrowland, but he is not related to the McGraw siblings.

Does Madeleine McGraw have siblings?

Yes. Madeleine is one of four children. Her twin brother Aidan is the same age (born 2008), older brother Jack is a few years senior, and younger sister Violet was born in 2011. Violet is also an actress, known for her role as Cady in M3GAN (2022) and its upcoming sequel. The two sisters appeared together in a PETA Kids ad in 2023, promoting animal adoption.

Bottom line: Madeleine McGraw comes from a tight-knit family of four siblings, with parents who stay out of the public eye. The Tim McGraw rumor is just that — a rumor. Her sister Violet is her only fellow actor in the family.

How old was Madeleine McGraw when filming The Black Phone?

One of the most common questions about Madeleine McGraw is her age during the production of The Black Phone, the 2021 horror film directed by Scott Derrickson that became a breakout hit.

When was The Black Phone filmed?

The film shot in early 2021, primarily in North Carolina. According to Wikipedia, principal photography took place from February to March 2021.

How old was Madeleine McGraw during filming?

Madeleine McGraw was 12 years old during the production. Born on December 22, 2008, per Wikipedia, she turned 12 in December 2020 and was still 12 for the February-March 2021 shoot.

How old is Finney supposed to be in The Black Phone?

Her character Gwen is the younger sister of Finney, who is 13 in the film’s 1978 setting. Gwen is written as approximately 12-13 years old, making Madeleine’s age at filming very close to her character’s age — a casting choice that adds authenticity to her performance.

Bottom line: Madeleine McGraw was 12 when she played 12-to-13-year-old Gwen. The age match helped her deliver a natural, grounded performance in a film that became a horror phenomenon.

Are Violet and Madeleine McGraw twins?

This question pops up frequently because both sisters are rising young actresses who look similar and share the same last name. But they are not twins.

What is the age difference between Madeleine and Violet?

Madeleine was born December 22, 2008, and Violet was born in 2011, making them approximately two years and several months apart. According to People magazine, the two are simply sisters — close in age, but not twins.

Do Madeleine and Violet McGraw appear in the same movies?

Yes, occasionally. They appeared together in a PETA Kids campaign ad in 2023. And in April 2025, both were announced to star in a holiday-themed film called High Stakes Holiday, with their mother Jackie producing, according to industry reports.

Are Violet and Madeleine McGraw close?

Public indications suggest yes. They appear together on social media and support each other’s projects. Madeleine has spoken warmly about working alongside her sister, and their mother’s involvement in High Stakes Holiday underscores a family-first approach to their careers.

Bottom line: They are not twins. The age gap is about two years, and their shared acting careers have made them a unique Hollywood sibling duo — especially in the horror genre.

What is Madeleine McGraw’s ethnicity?

Madeleine McGraw’s ethnic background is a subject of curiosity, particularly because the entertainment industry often sees actors with diverse heritage.

What ethnicity is Madeleine McGraw?

Based on publicly available information, Madeleine McGraw is of European descent — primarily English, Scottish, and German. Her family roots trace to these Western European ancestries, as documented by Wikipedia and family biography sources.

Is Madeleine McGraw of Hispanic descent?

There is no confirmed evidence of Hispanic heritage in her family background. The McGraw family surname has Scottish origins, and her parents’ public profiles do not include Hispanic ancestry.

What is Madeleine McGraw’s nationality?

She is American by nationality, born and raised in San Jose, California. She holds U.S. citizenship.

Bottom line: Madeleine McGraw is a white American of English, Scottish, and German descent, with no confirmed Hispanic heritage. Her nationality is American.

Who does Madeleine McGraw date?

Given her growing fame, fans often wonder about Madeleine McGraw’s relationship status. However, she is a minor (born 2008, still 17 as of mid-2026) and keeps her personal life tightly guarded.

Is Madeleine McGraw in a relationship?

As of early 2026, Madeleine McGraw has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. She does not post about dating on Instagram or TikTok, consistent with a conscious effort to maintain privacy while she’s still a teenager.

What is Madeleine McGraw’s dating history?

There is no verifiable dating history publicly associated with her. No credible tabloid or entertainment outlet has reported on a relationship involving Madeleine McGraw.

Does Madeleine McGraw have a boyfriend?

There is no evidence that she currently has a boyfriend. Her social media presence focuses on her acting projects, family (especially sister Violet), and personal interests — not romance.

Bottom line: Madeleine McGraw is not publicly dating anyone. As a minor in the public eye, she keeps her private life off-limits — and no credible reports suggest otherwise.

What happens next for Madeleine McGraw?

Madeleine McGraw’s career trajectory points upward. She is confirmed to reprise her role as Gwen in The Black Phone 2, which is in production for a 2025 release, according to Wikipedia. Alongside her sister Violet, she will also star in High Stakes Holiday, a film produced by her mother.

She continues to build a social media presence, with over 1 million Instagram followers and 2.4 million on TikTok, making her one of the most followed young horror actors of her generation. Her ability to bridge horror blockbusters with family-friendly Disney and Marvel projects gives her a career flexibility that few child actors manage.

The implication for McGraw: Her upcoming dual role in The Black Phone 2 and High Stakes Holiday signals she intends to keep working across horror and family genres — a balancing act few young stars sustain.

Fans curious about her early career can find more about Madeleine McGraw on Britain Daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading

• Madeleine McGraw: A Complete Filmography Guide
• Violet McGraw: The Rise of a Young Horror Actress
• The Black Phone Cast: Where Are They Now?