Luke Grimes is an American actor and musician who has captivated audiences with his compelling performances on both the big and small screens.
Best known for his role as Kayce Dutton in the hit Paramount Network series Yellowstone, Grimes has also made his mark in films like American Sniper and the Fifty Shades trilogy, where he portrayed Elliot Grey.
Beyond acting, Grimes has ventured into music, releasing his self-titled debut album in March 2024.
Raised in a devout Christian household, his journey from a small-town upbringing to Hollywood stardom is deeply intertwined with the influence and sacrifices of his parents.
Parents
Luke was born the youngest of four children to Angie and Reverend Randy Grimes.
His father, a Pentecostal pastor at Open Bible Christian Church in Dayton, Ohio, and his mother, Angie, provided a nurturing yet faith-driven environment for their family.
Randy and Angie met as teenagers and married young—Randy at 17 and Angie at 14—in June 1968.
Their union lasted 53 years until Randy’s passing in February 2022 at the age of 70.
Together, they raised their children—Lisa, Joshua, Jacob, and Luke—in a tight-knit, religious household that emphasized humility, kindness, and perseverance.
Despite their strong religious roots, Angie and Randy supported Luke’s unconventional dream of pursuing acting.
Career
Grimes’ career is a testament to his talent and the foundational support of his parents.
After moving to New York City to study acting, he made his film debut in 2006 with a role in the horror movie All the Boys Love Mandy Lane.
His early years were marked by steady progress, with appearances in indie films like War Eagle, Arkansas (2007)—which earned him a Best of the Fest award at the Breckenridge Festival of Film—and Assassination of a High School President (2008).
His television breakthrough came with the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters (2009–2010), where he played Ryan Lafferty, transitioning from a guest role to a series regular.
Grimes’ profile rose significantly in the 2010s.
He portrayed Navy SEAL Marc Alan Lee in Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper (2014), a role that showcased his ability to convey depth in limited screen time.
That same year, he joined the Fifty Shades franchise as Elliot Grey, appearing in all three films (Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed).
His career-defining moment came in 2018 when he was cast as Kayce Dutton in Yellowstone, a neo-Western drama that has become one of television’s most-watched series.
Starring alongside Kevin Costner, Grimes has brought a grounded intensity to the complex character, earning widespread acclaim.
Beyond acting, Luke’s career expanded into music following his father’s death, which spurred him to pursue long-held creative passions.
During the 2023 writers’ strike, he recorded his debut country album, Luke Grimes, co-writing 10 of its 13 tracks.
Released in March 2024, the album reflects his roots and personal journey, a nod to the musical influences from his church upbringing and his father’s encouragement to live fearlessly.
Now a father himself, married to Brazilian model Bianca Rodrigues Grimes since 2018, Luke continues to evolve as an artist, with upcoming projects like the dark Western Eddington signaling his enduring versatility.
