Lili Pauline Reinhart is an American actress, born September 13, 1996. She has forged an incredible name for herself in Hollywood-and not strictly for she is incredible and terrific. She is best known for starring as Betty Cooper in the hit television series Riverdale (2017–2023). But she also became familiar through her appearances in Hustlers (2019) and Chemical Hearts (2020). We are only beginning to learn what she is made of as a creative individual, since she is also a creative producer; and her production company is producing films that feature perhaps more diverse examples of storytelling, all of which we have now seen some onscreen.
Early Life and Education: A Dreamer from Cleveland
Lili was born in Cleveland, Ohio; she was raised in neighboring Bay Village (or Bay, if you are from The Know). Reinhart understood her love for the arts early, especially since she is of half French and half German heritage, and felt the need to acknowledge her background as a multicultural artist.
 By ten years old Lili was already in love with singing, acting, and dancing. She actually talked her mom into taking her to auditions in New York City – eager to do something that hadn’t even really begun. She moved to Los Angeles at eighteen to try and move it along.
Career Highlights: From Small Screen Stardom to Big Screen Success
RIVERDALE: THE ROLE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Her career blasted off into the stratosphere when she landed the role of Betty Cooper in Riverdale, the new teen drama based on the characters from Archie Comics. After submitting two audition tapes – one from the comfort of her home in North Carolina, and the second in-person – she booked the role of Betty in the series that debuted January 26, 2017. The complexity of her character Betty proved relatable, and resulted in critical acclaim and strong following. After six successful seasons, Reinhart achieved household name recognition.
HUSTLERS: A BOLD LEAP INTO FILM
In 2019, Reinhart joined the ensemble cast of Hustlers. Directed by Lorene Scafaria, Reinhart played Annabelle, the “baby of the group”, as a humorous and vulnerable depiction of a former stripper who partners with several ladies to scheme wealthy Wall Street clients. Reinhart described her character’s look as a variation of a “slutty Hannah Montana”, indicating her willingness to take brave risks of intersectionality with the characters she portrays.
CHEMICAL HEARTS: AN ACTRESS AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
For Chemical Hearts (2020), Reinhart took her first credit as executive producer. While wearing two hats, Reinhart played Grace Town, a high school senior facing physical disabilities and emotional scars, who develops a complicated relationship with Henry Page, the editor of the school newspaper. Chemical Hearts was released on Amazon Prime Video, and garnered mixed reviews, however, it displayed Reinhart’s passion for rich stories, and telling true, meaningful stories.
LOOK BOTH WAYS: NAVIGATING TWO REALITIES
In 2021, Reinhart formally announced that she will join the film Look Both Ways, directed by Wanuri Kahiu. The film told the story of Natalie, a college student whose path diverges into two lives – one pursuing her career in Los Angeles, while the other lives into young motherhood. This film earned Reinhart her second executive producer credit.
Championing Diversity with Small Victory Productions
In June 2021, Reinhart founded a production company called Small Victory Productions with a signed deal with Amazon Studios. Small Victory Productions is hiring a talented team of people to create original and adapted content for film and television, that seeks to highlight extraordinary, modern, young adult stories while embracing diverse representations of all kinds, including cultural, racial and personal identities. The passion Reinhart demonstrated to develop new stories and amplify undiscovered perspectives highlights her desire to help mold the future of entertainment.
Net Worth and Legacy
With a net worth totaling $6 million, Lili Reinhart is one of the most successful actresses, producers and authors of the modern-day. Reinhart is a small-town dreamer turned Hollywood force. As she continues to seek new endeavors, Reinhart will continue to be an inspiration for fans and for other aspiring artists.
A Bright Future
Lili Reinhart is creating a career that combines creativity with business. Whether she shines brightly in front of the camera, or champions diversity as an advocate behind the scenes, she highlights the rapidly evolving definition of a 21st century Hollywood star.
Acting, creating exclusive narratives and valuing diversity, the future is bright for this rising star.
