From bionic teen to wrestling star, Kelli Berglund’s path through modern Hollywood
In short: Born in Moorpark, California, Kelli Berglund transitioned from a child dancer and commercial model to a versatile television and film actress. Best known for her bionic role on Disney XD, she has spent over a decade navigating diverse genres, from teen comedies to gritty crime dramas and professional wrestling biopics.
Kelli Michelle Berglund, born in 1996, began her career early as a regular on the TLC show Hip Hop Harry. Her background in lyrical contemporary and jazz dance provided a foundation for her performance career, though she eventually pivoted toward acting. Her breakthrough came in 2012 when she was cast as the super-fast, bionic character Bree Davenport in the Disney XD comedy Lab Rats. She maintained this role through 2016, including the spinoff series Lab Rats: Elite Force.
Following her Disney tenure, Berglund expanded her range into more mature storytelling. She appeared in the 2019 Starz series Now Apocalypse and took on the role of Crystal Tyler in the wrestling-focused drama Heels, which aired from 2021 to 2023. Her filmography is equally varied, ranging from the 2020 Netflix comedy Hubie Halloween to the 2021 crime drama Cherry, directed by the Russo brothers. She has also portrayed real-life figures, such as Willadeene Parton in a 2016 television film about the childhood of Dolly Parton.
In recent years, Berglund has continued to secure prominent roles, including playing wrestler Nell Stewart in the 2024 film Queen of the Ring and joining the cast of the Hulu series Prison Break in 2026. Beyond her professional life, she remains based in her hometown of Moorpark. Her personal milestones have also garnered attention, specifically her engagement to musician Tyler Wilson in November 2024, following an eight-year relationship that began in 2016.
Berglund’s career trajectory illustrates the evolution of a child actor moving through different tiers of the entertainment industry. By balancing mainstream family programming with independent films and cable dramas, she has maintained a consistent presence in television for over a decade. Her ability to transition from lighthearted roles to complex dramatic characters highlights a deliberate effort to diversify her portfolio as she matures in the industry.
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