Kara Hayward

Explore the life and career of Kara Hayward (born November 17, 1998), the American actress who broke through in Moonrise Kingdom. Learn about her early years, breakthrough performance, evolving filmography, and acting style.

Introduction

Kara Hayward is an American actress whose debut as Suzy Bishop in Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom (2012) immediately placed her in the spotlight. Since then, she has taken on a variety of roles in both film and television, demonstrating a thoughtful, emotionally resonant presence on screen. Her journey from an open casting call to a working actor is inspiring for many young performers.

Early Life and Background

Birth & Childhood
Kara Hayward was born on November 17, 1998 in Massachusetts, USA. Some sources indicate she was born in Andover, where she was raised.

Intellectual Gift & Education
From a young age, Hayward was recognized as highly intelligent. She has been a member of Mensa (an organization for people with high IQ) since age 9. She attended Andover High School.

As she completed high school, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her acting ambitions full time.

Breakthrough & Early Acting

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Hayward’s first audition for a feature film was for Moonrise Kingdom, and she landed the lead role of Suzy Bishop — a major break for someone with no professional acting background. The film premiered at Cannes and won attention for its offbeat style and emotional subtleties.

Her portrayal earned her several nominations, including the Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actress and a Critics’ Choice nod for Best Young Performer.

Career & Filmography

Notable Film Roles

• The Sisterhood of Night (2014) — as Emily Parris

• Quitters (2015) — as Etta

• Fan Girl (2015) — as Jamie

• Manchester by the Sea (2016) — as Silvie McCann

• Paterson (2016) — as a Female Student (minor role)

• To the Stars (2019) — as Iris Deerborne

• Us (2019) — she plays Nancy / Syd (dual role)

• Drunk Bus (2020) — Kat

• Slayers (2022) — Flynn Chambers

Her voice also appears in Isle of Dogs (2018) as “Peppermint.”

Television & Other Work

• Guest roles in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2013) as Rachel Burns, and White Collar (2013) as Bee Wolcott.

• Recurring role in Haters Back Off (2017), playing Amanda in several episodes.

• TV appearance in Roar (2022) — as Millie in one episode.

• Voice work in podcasts like The Shadow Diaries (2020–2021).

Acting Style & Persona

Kara Hayward tends to bring a quiet intensity and emotional subtlety to her characters. Her performances often lean into vulnerability, internal conflict, and the interior lives of her roles rather than overt dramatics. Her debut in Moonrise Kingdom showed a capacity to carry a film with nuance and minimalism — a trait she continued to cultivate in later roles.

She also seems selective in choosing parts, gravitating toward complex characters (e.g. To the Stars) or ensemble casts (e.g. Manchester by the Sea).

Personal Life & Traits

• Hayward is known to value privacy; she does not frequently court tabloid attention.

• Her early admission to Mensa suggests intellectual depth beyond her acting.

• The move from Massachusetts to Los Angeles indicates a serious commitment to her craft after finishing school.

Lessons & Inspirations

1. Audition bravely
   Hayward’s first audition ever was for Moonrise Kingdom — and she got the lead. It’s a powerful reminder to take chances, even when you feel unprepared.

2. Let vulnerability be your strength
   Her roles often require emotional honesty. She shows that you don’t need grand gestures to create impact.

3. Choose growth over exposure
   Rather than chasing constant visibility, she’s built a filmography that suggests care, depth, and evolution.

4. Be patient in a long career
   Her trajectory shows that breakthrough roles may come early, but sustaining an acting career takes time, consistency, and adaptability.