Derek Cecil Biography: Movies, Net Worth, Children, Wife, Age, Height, Awards, Education, Parents, Ethnicity

Derek Alan Cecil, professionally known as Derek Cecil, is an actor who achieved widespread recognition through his portrayal of Seth Grayson in the acclaimed Netflix political drama House of Cards.

He rose to mainstream prominence after bringing the calculating White House press secretary to life throughout the series, earning recognition as one of television’s dependable character actors.

Beyond his breakthrough role, he has built a career spanning film, television, and theater, with notable appearances in productions such as The Outsider, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and Lessons in Chemistry.

Derek Cecil
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Derek Alan Cecil
Stage Name:	Derek Cecil
Born:	January 5, 1973 (age 53 years old)
Place of Birth:	Amarillo, Texas, United States
State Of Origin:	Texas
Nationality:	American
Ethnicity:	White American
Height:	185 cm
Religion:	Christianity
Parents:	David Allen Cecil and Katherine Frances Hughes
Siblings:	Julie Cecil and Randy Cecil
Spouse:	Melissa Bruning
Relationship:	Married
Children:	Beau Herlie Cecil and Clementine Ara Cecil
Occupation:	Actor
Net Worth:	$4 million

Early Life and Education

Derek Alan Cecil, who clocked 53 years old in 2026, was born on January 5, 1973, in Amarillo, Texas.

He spent his childhood in Texas, where he was raised by his parents, David Allen Cecil and Katherine Frances Hughes, in a Christian household. He has two siblings Julie Cecil and an older brother named Randy Cecil.

He later moved to San Antonio and graduated from William H. Taft High School before enrolling at the University of Houston, where he studied theater arts.

Seeking advanced professional training, he continued his education at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting.

Personal Life

Derek Cecil has been married to American costume designer Melissa Bruning for several years. Together they have two children, a son, Beau Herlie Cecil, and a daughter, Clementine Ara Cecil.

The family maintains a private lifestyle despite Cecil’s acting career, dividing their time between Los Angeles, New York, and Austin, Texas.

Their marriage has remained away from public controversy and there have been no reports of separation or divorce.

Career

Derek Cecil began his professional acting career in the mid-1990s with the television film The Unspoken Truth.

He later became a founding member of the Rude Mechanicals Theater Company, where he worked as both an actor and director while steadily building his television career.

His early screen credits included The Beat, Pasadena, and the interactive mystery series Push, Nevada.

He also appeared in films such as Men in Black II, Winter of Frozen Dreams, The Next Three Days, and Friends with Kids.

Cecil reached the height of his career in 2014 after joining the cast of House of Cards as Seth Grayson.

Originally introduced in a recurring role, his performance earned him a promotion to series regular through the show’s final season in 2018.

Following that success, he appeared in major television productions including The Outsider, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and Lessons in Chemistry, further establishing himself as a familiar face in premium television dramas.

Awards

• Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2015)
• Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2016)

Net Worth

Derek Cecil’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $4 million.

He accumulated his wealth through a successful acting career spanning television, film, and theater, with much of his earnings coming from his long-running role in House of Cards, alongside film appearances and stage productions.

Filmography

• The Unspoken Truth (1995)
• Pop Love (1995)
• The Beat (2000)
• Pasadena (2001)
• Men in Black II (2002)
• Push, Nevada (2002)
• Mall Cop (2005)
• Grey’s Anatomy (2007)
• Frank the Rat (2007)
• Recount (2008)
• Reunion (2009)
• Winter of Frozen Dreams (2009)
• The Next Three Days (2010)
• Café (2011)
• Friends with Kids (2011)
• Treme (2011)
• Banshee (2013)
• House of Cards (2014)
• Family Games (2018)
• The Outsider (2020)
• The Listener (2022)
• Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (2022)
• Lessons in Chemistry (2023)

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