Landry Bender transitioned from a childhood theater performer in Phoenix into a recognizable face across mainstream television and streaming platforms. Born in Chicago and raised with deep roots in sports broadcasting, she carved out a distinct path in entertainment through early roles in Disney comedies, Netflix hits, and dramatic miniseries.
Stands at roughly 5 feet 3 inches tall, her professional trajectory offers a clear look at how a young actor navigates the shift from child star to versatile adult performer without losing momentum. Let's break down her background, key projects, and professional growth.
Early Life and Acting Roots
Landry Elizabeth Bender was born on August 3, 2000. Entertainment runs in her family tree: her father, Trey Bender, and her grandfather, Gary Bender, both established long careers as sportscasters. Meanwhile, her mother, Amy Bender, worked as a producer.
The family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, when she was two years old. By age five, she caught the acting bug after seeing a touring production of Annie. She began training at Desert Stages Theatre, performing in local stage productions like The Sound of Music and Beauty and the Beast. That early stage experience built the foundation for her transition to professional screen work before she reached pre-adolescence.
Breakthrough Roles and Disney Years
Her official film debut came in 2011 when she played Blithe Pedulla alongside Jonah Hill in the comedy film The Sitter. Working with a high-profile comedy star at age ten gave her an early masterclass in professional film sets.
Soon after, she landed her first major television break as Cleo Bernstein on the Disney XD series Crash & Bernstein, which ran from 2012 to 2014. This role established her timing in multi-camera sitcom environments.
Following Crash & Bernstein, she secured the co-lead role of Cyd Ripley in the Disney Channel time-travel sitcom Best Friends Whenever (2015–2016). These projects cemented her status as a reliable young lead within the network's stable of comedy actors.
Transition to Mature and Dramatic Roles
Many young actors struggle to cross the divide from children's television to teen and adult projects. Bender managed this shift by picking diverse supporting and recurring roles across streaming networks and cable dramas.
Between 2017 and 2020, she joined the cast of the Netflix sequel series Fuller House as Rocki, the sarcastic girlfriend of Jackson Fuller. This exposed her to a massive built-in audience of nostalgic viewers while allowing her to play a distinct teenage persona.
In 2019, she took on a more dramatic profile by starring as Sara Bankhead Harbert in the Hulu miniseries adaptation of John Green’s Looking for Alaska. Critics praised the emotional depth of the series, and Bender's performance showed she could handle complex, character-driven dramatic material. She continued this trajectory with a main role as Bella Whitmore in The CW drama The Republic of Sarah in 2021. Her credits also extend to indie film projects and voice acting, including a recurring voice role as Makini in Disney's The Lion Guard.
Personal Life and Professional Habits
Despite growing up under studio lights, Bender maintained a relatively grounded public profile. She completed her secondary education through Oak Park Independent School, balancing rigorous on-set tutoring with traditional academic milestones.
She frequently credits her mentors and early experiences for shaping her work ethic. Unlike viral internet personalities whose fame fluctuates with algorithms, her career relies on traditional union casting, auditions, and steady television production work. While tabloid sites often speculate about celebrity finances, verified public data regarding exact net worth figures for actors of her generation is rarely accurate, as private earnings remain confidential. Instead, her professional stability is best measured by her continuous stream of credited roles across major production studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Landry Bender?
She was born on August 3, 2000. You can calculate her current age based on the current year.
What was Landry Bender's first major role?
Her first prominent film role was playing Blithe Pedulla in the 2011 comedy The Sitter starring Jonah Hill. Her first major television series regular role was on Disney XD's Crash & Bernstein.
Is Landry Bender related to sports broadcaster Gary Bender?
Yes. Gary Bender is her paternal grandfather, and her father Trey Bender is also a well-known sportscaster.
Where did Landry Bender go to high school?
She attended Oak Park Independent School, a flexible educational framework designed for working young actors in the entertainment industry.
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