Few actors have seen their personal life become as much of a talking point as their on-screen work. Austin Butler went from teen TV roles to an Oscar-nominated turn as Elvis Presley, all while navigating high-profile relationships and a startling health scare on set.
Date of birth: August 17, 1991 ·
Birthplace: Anaheim, CA ·
Breakthrough role: Elvis Presley in Elvis (2022) ·
Award: BAFTA Best Actor ·
Known for: Elvis, Dune: Part Two, The Bikeriders ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Quick snapshot
- Born August 17, 1991 in Anaheim, CA (Britannica)
- Dated Vanessa Hudgens from 2011 to 2020 (ELLE)
- Dated Kaia Gerber from December 2021 to late 2024 (Biography.com)
- Won BAFTA Award for Best Actor for Elvis in 2023 (BBC)
- Exact reason for split with Kaia Gerber (Cosmopolitan reports “grown apart”)
- Exact medical diagnosis for temporary blindness episode (Men’s Health notes sleep deprivation)
- Whether Butler dated Emily Ratajkowski or Lily-Rose Depp (ELLE lists as rumors)
- Exact reason for split with Vanessa Hudgens (Betches suggests career inflection)
- 2011: Began relationship with Vanessa Hudgens (Grazia)
- 2020: Split with Hudgens after nine years (Cosmopolitan)
- Dec 2021: First spotted with Kaia Gerber (Biography.com)
- Late 2024: Split with Gerber reported (Cosmopolitan)
- Upcoming films: The Bikeriders (2025), Dune: Part Three (IMDb)
- Butler reportedly taking on more dramatic roles post-Elvis (Men’s Health)
Here is a summary of key biographical information about Austin Butler.
| Full name | Austin Robert Butler |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Anaheim, California, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Notable awards | BAFTA Award for Best Actor |
| Known for | Elvis (2022), Dune: Part Two, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood |
Who is Austin Butler dating currently?
As of early 2025, Austin Butler appears to be single. After his relationship with Kaia Gerber ended in late 2024, multiple outlets reported that the actor is not publicly linked to anyone new. Cosmopolitan (women’s lifestyle magazine) described him as “publicly single” in a roundup of his dating history. Rumors briefly surfaced about a connection with model Emily Ratajkowski, but no credible evidence has emerged, and Butler has not addressed them.
Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber: a three-year relationship
Butler and Gerber were first linked in December 2021 after being seen together in Los Angeles. They made their public debut as a couple at a W Magazine party in March 2022 and later attended the Met Gala and the Elvis premiere together that spring (Biography.com (celebrity biography database)). The relationship was considered stable until reports emerged in late 2024 that the couple had quietly split. Neither Butler nor Gerber has commented on the reasons, leaving the cause unconfirmed.
Butler’s romantic timeline — a nine-year relationship followed by a three-year one — suggests he commits long-term, but his career acceleration after Elvis may have added strain that neither partnership survived.
The pattern indicates that Butler’s relationships have been affected by his career trajectory.
Why did Vanessa Hudgens leave Austin Butler?
Butler and Hudgens dated for roughly nine years, from 2011 to early 2020. The couple met when both were working in the Disney-adjacent TV world and were first photographed kissing at a Lakers game in January 2012 (Grazia (lifestyle magazine)).
Timeline of the Butler-Hudgens relationship
The following timeline details their relationship milestones.
| 2011 | First linked at a party for Ashley Tisdale’s sister (Grazia (lifestyle magazine)) |
| Jan 2012 | Kissing photo at Lakers game (ELLE) |
| 2019 | Butler cast as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis |
| Jan 2020 | Reports say the couple split (Cosmopolitan (women’s lifestyle magazine)) |
The timing — shortly after Butler landed the Elvis role — has led to speculation that the part changed their dynamic. One editorial account from Betches (pop culture site) suggests the role became a “relationship inflection point.” But neither Butler nor Hudgens has confirmed this, and the exact reason for the split remains unclear. What the evidence shows is that the breakup coincided with Butler’s biggest career leap.
The implication is that Butler’s personal life and career milestones are deeply intertwined.
What medical condition did Austin Butler have on set?
During the filming of The Bikeriders, Butler experienced a terrifying health scare. He temporarily lost his vision for several minutes after waking with a severe migraine on a flight to the film’s set in 2023. Men’s Health (fitness and lifestyle magazine) reported that Butler said he thought he was dying. He later attributed the visual episode to sleep deprivation, telling E! News (entertainment news outlet) that he “wasn’t getting enough sleep” during the intense filming schedule.
“I woke up and I couldn’t see anything… I honestly thought I was dying.”
Austin Butler, speaking to Men’s Health
The temporary blindness resolved within minutes, and Butler completed the film. The episode highlights the physical toll of method acting and demanding production schedules. Entertainment Weekly (pop culture magazine) confirmed the timeline: the incident occurred while flying to shoot Jeff Nichols’s The Bikeriders, adding that Butler’s health scare was a direct result of exhaustion.
Butler’s temporary blindness was not due to the Elvis contact lenses (a common rumor) but to sleep deprivation — a preventable cause that raises questions about working conditions for actors in high-stakes roles.
What this means is that even method actors face physical consequences from demanding schedules.
Is Austin Butler still single?
Yes, as of early 2025, Butler is reportedly single. After his split with Kaia Gerber, no confirmed romantic partners have been named. ELLE (fashion magazine) lists him as “currently single” in its dating history guide. Rumors of a brief fling with Lily-Rose Depp in 2021 were never confirmed, and a 2024 rumor involving Emily Ratajkowski appears to be unfounded. Butler appears focused on upcoming film projects.
Did Austin Butler dump Kaia Gerber?
The circumstances of the Butler-Gerber split are not publicly known. Cosmopolitan (women’s magazine) reported the breakup at the end of 2024, noting that the couple had “grown apart” according to anonymous sources. Neither party has confirmed who initiated the breakup. The lack of official statements means it’s inaccurate to claim Butler “dumped” Gerber — the available evidence suggests a mutual split. The relationship ran from December 2021 to late 2024, nearly three years, and included several major red carpet appearances.
“I don’t talk about my personal life because it’s not for public consumption.”
Austin Butler, as quoted by multiple outlets
Butler’s general reticence about his romantic life makes it difficult to parse rumors from reality. What’s verifiable is the timeline: first spotted together in December 2021, public debut in March 2022, and breakup reports in late 2024. The pattern is consistent with two people whose lives moved in different directions.
Career timeline
- August 17, 1991: Born in Anaheim, California (Biography.com)
- 2007: First acting role on television
- 2011: Began relationship with Vanessa Hudgens
- 2019: Cast as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis
- 2020: Split with Vanessa Hudgens
- 2021: Started relationship with Kaia Gerber
- 2022: Elvis released; temporary blindness during The Bikeriders filming
- 2023: Won BAFTA for Best Actor for Elvis; Dune: Part Two released
- 2024: Split with Kaia Gerber; rumored but unconfirmed connections
This timeline shows the parallel between Butler’s career leaps and relationship changes.
Confirmed vs. unclear
Confirmed facts
- Austin Butler born August 17, 1991 in Anaheim, CA
- Dated Vanessa Hudgens from 2011 to 2020
- Dated Kaia Gerber from December 2021 to late 2024
- Temporary blindness episode linked to sleep deprivation
- BAFTA Award for Best Actor 2023
- Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for split with Kaia Gerber
- Exact medical details of temporary blindness
- Relationship status with Emily Ratajkowski (rumor only)
- Whether Butler dated Olivia DeJonge or Lily-Rose Depp
- Exact cause of Vanessa Hudgens split
The pattern reinforces that Butler keeps his private life private while his public career thrives.
Summary
Austin Butler’s career trajectory — from teen TV roles to an Oscar-nominated Elvis and a spot in the Dune franchise — has run alongside a personal life that draws intense curiosity. The relationship timeline with Hudgens and Gerber shows long-term commitment, but the ends remain private. The temporary blindness scare underscores the physical price of immersive acting. For fans tracking Butler’s next move, the choice is clear: watch for his projects, not his personal headlines — because Butler himself prefers to keep the former in the spotlight.
deadline.com, esquire.com, ew.com, graziamagazine.com, facebook.com, canadainsight.org
Frequently asked questions
How old is Austin Butler?
He was born on August 17, 1991, making him 33 years old as of early 2025.
What is Austin Butler’s height?
He is 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m).
What movies has Austin Butler been in?
His notable films include Elvis (2022), Dune: Part Two (2024), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), and The Bikeriders (2025).
Did Austin Butler really sing in ‘Elvis’?
Yes, Butler sang all of Elvis Presley’s vocals in the film, working with dialect and singing coaches for months.
Who has Austin Butler dated?
He has had two known long-term relationships: Vanessa Hudgens (2011–2020) and Kaia Gerber (2021–2024).
Is Austin Butler on social media?
He is not active on mainstream social media platforms; he has an official Facebook page but rarely posts.
What is Austin Butler’s net worth?
While not officially confirmed, estimates from several entertainment sources place his net worth in the range of $4–6 million, largely from his role in Elvis and subsequent projects.
Did Austin Butler go blind filming Elvis?
No. The temporary blindness episode occurred during filming of The Bikeriders in 2023, not during Elvis.
These answers clarify common misconceptions about Butler’s life.
Related reading
- Charlie Puth: Biography, Health, Relationships, and Career — another deep dive on a celebrity who balances public relationships and health incidents.
- Channing Tatum: Biography, Relationships & Net Worth — an actor-focused biography covering similar themes of career and personal life.
These related articles offer similar deep dives into celebrities’ lives.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.