Sydney Sweeney doesn’t talk about her parents often, but when she does, it’s usually blunt. Raised in Spokane, Washington, by her mom Lisa and dad Steven, the actress, 27, has hinted at a complicated family dynamic shaped by financial stress, divorce, and early ambition.
As her star continues to rise, so does curiosity about the people who were there at the beginning. Find out more about Sydney’s family below.
Sydney Sweeney was born in Spokane, Washington, to Lisa Sweeney, a former criminal defense attorney, and Steven Sweeney, who worked in hospitality. She was raised in North Idaho, in a lakeside house her family has occupied for generations.
Yes. Sydney’s parents divorced in the mid‑2010s, around the time her career began to take off. They also filed for bankruptcy, which Sydney has described as a bitter trade-off of supporting her ambitions. Around age 12, she developed an interest in acting and convinced her parents to support her dream with a five‑year business plan, leading to early auditions and roles in Washington and Oregon. The family eventually relocated to Los Angeles when she was about 13 to help her pursue the craft.
“My parents sacrificed so much to support my dream, and they lost so much during it,” she said to Variety in August 2023. “I just felt a responsibility to show them that it was worth it.”
Sydney also told the outlet that her dad now “lives on a ranch in Mexico, and doesn’t have internet or cell service.”
She added, “I know he’s proud of me, and I know he’s like, ‘Wow, this is a crazy world!’ ”
