Who is Lily Mae Silverstein?
Young Hollywood is packed with talent, but Lily Mae Silverstein stands out from the crowd. At 21, this California-born actress has already made her mark across television and film, winning over audiences with performances that feel both genuine and captivating.
Most people know her as the unforgettable “Lydia the Weasel” from Disney Channel’s Bunk’d. That role alone showed just how much range she has—taking a character that could have been one-dimensional and making her memorable, even lovable in her own twisted way.
But there’s more to Lily Mae than just acting. She’s equally passionate about what happens behind the camera, and her journey from a kid in improv classes to a working actress tells a story of real dedication mixed with natural talent.
Growing Up in California
Family and Early Years
Lily Mae Silverstein was born on March 17, 2004, in Los Angeles. Being a Pisces born in the entertainment capital probably set the stage for what was coming. She describes herself as a “beach girl from sunny California,” and that laid-back vibe definitely comes through in how she approaches her work.
Her family has been huge in shaping who she is today. Her older brother Kyle Red Silverstein is also in the acting world, which means she’s had someone who really gets the industry right there at home. Having that kind of support and understanding makes a difference when you’re trying to figure out this business.
The Silverstein family seems to have struck that perfect balance—encouraging creativity without putting too much pressure on their kids. That foundation shows in how grounded Lily Mae comes across, even as her career takes off.
Finding Her Passion
Most kids are just learning to ride bikes at six, but Lily Mae was already diving into commercial improv classes. She had this natural ability to think quickly and adapt to whatever was thrown at her—skills that would prove pretty valuable later on.
Middle school brought another turning point when she joined an award-winning cinematic arts program. This wasn’t just about acting anymore; she was learning about directing, producing, and all the moving parts that make movies and TV shows happen.
You can tell she took it seriously too. Balancing schoolwork with intensive training in performance and production isn’t easy, but she made it work.
Breaking Into the Business
Early Roles and Learning the Ropes
Lily Mae’s first professional credit came in 2008 with B.T.K., where she played “Lilly Riding.” Not exactly a starring role, but everyone has to start somewhere. What mattered was that she had that natural screen presence right from the beginning.
Things picked up when she started landing guest spots on major network shows. Her appearance on Modern Family in 2011 was particularly impressive—jumping into an established ensemble cast and holding her own isn’t something every young actor can pull off. She followed that up with Parenthood, where she brought real authenticity to what could have been just another “cute kid” role.
Each of these experiences taught her something new about the business. Working with different directors, learning how various sets operate, understanding the technical side—all of that added up to make her a stronger performer.
The Bunk’d Breakthrough
Everything changed in 2016 when Lily Mae joined Bunk’d as Lydia “the Weasel.” This character was unlike anything she’d done before, and honestly, unlike most characters you see on Disney Channel.
Lydia wasn’t your typical camper. She was dark, mischievous, and absolutely loved being feared by everyone around her. The look was just as distinctive—weasel T-shirt, flannel, oversized jacket stuffed with bobby pins, boys’ swim shorts, and dramatic black eye makeup that took an hour to remove each night.
What made this role special wasn’t just the character design, though. Lily Mae had to completely transform her personality to become someone whose motivations were totally different from her own. That’s not easy acting, especially for someone still in their teens.
The character appeared in six episodes across seasons two and three, and fans ate it up. Lydia became one of those characters people remember long after the show ends, and it established Lily Mae as an actress who could handle complex, unconventional roles.
Expanding Her Range
Alex & Me and Working with Athletes
2018 brought Lily Mae’s biggest film role yet—Penny in “Alex & Me,” a Nickelodeon and Warner Bros. production featuring soccer star Alex Morgan. This was a chance to show she could carry significant screen time in a feature film.
Penny was demanding, competitive, and never afraid to speak her mind. She’d call out other teams and push her own teammates to do better, embodying that win-at-all-costs mentality that drives competitive sports.
Working with Alex Morgan gave Lily Mae insights into what it takes to excel at the highest level. The dedication, the teamwork, the constant push for improvement—all lessons that apply just as much to acting as they do to professional sports.
The film’s release marked a real milestone in her career, proving she could make the jump from TV guest spots to substantial movie roles.
Building a Television Resume
While Bunk’d was her breakout role, Lily Mae has been smart about building a diverse TV resume. Her work on Disney XD’s “Walk the Prank” as Katie showed off her comedic chops and proved she could work within Disney’s particular brand of youth programming.
She’s also tackled more dramatic territory with appearances on shows like Fresh Off the Boat and Teachers. Each role demanded something different, whether it was comedy, drama, or something in between.
One interesting addition to her resume has been voice work for The Loud House, where she played Renee. Animation voice acting is its own skill set, and having that experience opens up a whole different set of opportunities in entertainment.
Life Beyond Acting
Animal Rescue and Giving Back
Acting might be her profession, but animal rescue is clearly Lily Mae’s passion. She’s adopted two dogs, Marley and Buster, and has made animal welfare a central part of who she is.
Since she was eight, she’s had this amazing birthday tradition. Instead of just throwing a party, she and her friends organize donation drives and volunteer at animal shelters. It’s become such a core part of her identity that it’s hard to imagine her without it.
She uses her growing platform to advocate for pet adoption and responsible animal care. When you have young fans looking up to you, using that influence to promote something positive like animal rescue is pretty admirable.
Behind-the-Scenes Interests
Lily Mae’s interests go way beyond just being in front of the camera. That middle school cinematic arts program really sparked something in her—she’s genuinely interested in directing and producing.
She sees these roles as natural extensions of her storytelling abilities. Having experience on both sides of the camera makes her a better collaborator and gives her a deeper understanding of how productions actually work.
This positions her well for where the entertainment industry is heading. Multi-talented people who understand different aspects of the creative process are increasingly valuable, and she’s building exactly those kinds of skills.
Looking Ahead
Industry Recognition
Lily Mae has earned respect in the industry for being professional, versatile, and genuinely talented. The fact that she can go from playing someone as dark as Lydia to someone as driven as Penny shows the kind of range that casting directors love to see.
Her early experience working with established stars like Kristen Bell taught her valuable lessons about professionalism. When she auditioned for Jane Banks via FaceTime at ten years old, she was nervous but learned from watching how Bell approached the work.
The relationships she’s built with directors, producers, and fellow actors speak to her reputation as someone who’s reliable and brings something unique to every project.
Future Possibilities
As Lily Mae continues to grow as both an actress and creative professional, her career seems to be pointing toward more complex and challenging roles. She’s expressed interest in playing “ambitious characters,” which suggests she wants to keep pushing herself artistically.
Her background in both performance and production puts her in a good position for an industry that increasingly values multi-talented individuals. She’s also open to voice-over work and hosting, showing she’s willing to explore different corners of the entertainment world.
With her combination of proven talent, industry connections, and diverse interests, her career path could easily include directing, producing, and other creative leadership roles alongside continued acting success.
A Talent to Watch
Lily Mae Silverstein represents something special in young Hollywood—someone who combines natural ability with genuine passion and a real sense of responsibility about her platform. From those early improv classes to memorable performances on Disney Channel and in films, she’s consistently shown the qualities that lead to lasting success.
Her ability to bring authenticity to such different characters—from the beloved villain Lydia to the determined athlete Penny—demonstrates a range that many actors work years to develop. Add in her interests in production and directing, and you have someone who’s preparing for whatever the entertainment industry throws at her.
Maybe most importantly, her commitment to animal rescue shows she understands that with recognition comes responsibility. As she continues growing both personally and professionally, Lily Mae Silverstein stands as a great example of how young performers can build meaningful careers while staying true to their values.
With her talent, work ethic, and genuine character, Lily Mae Silverstein is definitely a name we’ll be hearing a lot more from in the coming years.
