Josh Brener was born on October 1, 1984, in Houston, Texas, USA. His full name is Joshua Max Brener. He is the only child of Daniel Brener and Sharon Blend Brener. Despite being born in the mid-1980s, Josh has retained a youthful appearance that often surprises those unfamiliar with his age.
Raised in a Jewish household, Josh spent most of his formative years in Houston. He later attended Harvard University, where he honed his skills in both writing and acting. In an interview with The Harvard Crimson, Brener humorously stated that he anticipated being unemployed after graduation, viewing it as an opportunity to pursue his true passions—writing and performing.
During his time at Harvard, Brener was notably active in campus theatrical organizations. He served as the president of the prestigious Hasty Pudding Theatricals and contributed regularly as a playwright. He also performed with the university’s improvisational comedy troupe, On Thin Ice (OTI), further showcasing his comedic talent.
Additionally, he participated in the Sunken Garden Children’s Theatre each spring, where he helped bring live performances to young audiences—an experience that likely contributed to his versatility as a performer.
Josh Brener began his professional acting journey in 2009 with appearances in the short films The Guy Who Cured Cancer and Sofia and Sam. In 2010 and 2011, he played the role of Zack Miller in the television series Glory Daze. From 2011 to 2013, he portrayed the character Dale in the popular sitcom The Big Bang Theory. He also appeared in the comedy-drama House of Lies as Will Davis.
In 2013, his career gained further momentum when he landed roles in two high-profile film and television projects: the comedy film The Internship and an episode of the series Workaholics. These opportunities helped cement his place in the world of entertainment.
That same year, Brener joined the TV series Maron as the character Kyle, a role he held through the show’s multi-season run. However, he is perhaps best known for his role as Nelson "Big Head" Bighetti in the acclaimed HBO series Silicon Valley, which began airing in 2014. His portrayal of the socially awkward yet endearing tech professional earned him significant recognition in the television industry.
One of Josh Brener’s most prominent film roles came with the 2013 comedy The Internship, produced by Vince Vaughn and Shawn Levy and co-produced by production companies such as Regency Enterprises, 21 Laps Entertainment, and Wild West Picture Show Productions. In the film, Brener played Lyle Spaulding, a young Google manager tasked with mentoring two older interns portrayed by Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
The storyline focuses on Billy McMahon (Vaughn) and Nick Campbell (Wilson), former salesmen who land internships at Google despite having no relevant tech experience. Lyle manages their internship team, which is initially seen as underperforming. Throughout the film, Brener’s character evolves from a stereotypical tech "dork" to a more confident team leader, contributing to the team’s eventual success.
While The Internship received mixed reviews and was critiqued by some for being overly promotional of Google, it was nominated for Choice Summer Movie: Comedy at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards. Brener’s performance was well-received for complementing the film's humor and character dynamics.
Josh Brener, a 2007 Harvard graduate, is recognized for his sustained work in both television and film. Known for his sharp comedic timing and relatable characters, he has established himself as a consistent presence in Hollywood. As of recent estimates, his net worth stands at approximately $1.5 million—an impressive achievement for someone who once joked about expecting to be poor after college.
| Birth Date: | 1 Oct, 1984 |
| Age: | 35 yrs |
| Occupations: | Stage actor Film actor Television actor Voice actor |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Houston |
| Education: | Harvard University |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor |
| Net Worth 2021: | 5 million |
