Johnny Link: The Actor from “My Life with the Walter Boys” Who Proves That Hearing Loss Cannot Stop Your Dreams
Johnny Link is a rising American actor, singer, and musician who has built a name for himself through talent, hard work, and a deeply personal story. He is best known for playing Will Walter in the Netflix drama series My Life with the Walter Boys. What makes Johnny truly special is that he brings a real-life connection to his role: just like his character, Johnny is hard of hearing and has worn hearing aids since he was three years old. His journey from a small town in Illinois to the stages of New York and the screens of Netflix is an inspiring story for anyone who has ever faced a challenge and chosen to keep going.
Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Johnny Link |
| Date of Birth | January 24, 1994 |
| Age (2026) | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Geneva, Illinois, USA |
| Raised In | Batavia, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Education | Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Musical Theater, Pennsylvania State University |
| Profession | Actor, Singer, Dancer, Musician |
| Known For | Will Walter in My Life with the Walter Boys (Netflix) |
| Other Notable Work | Dear Edward (Apple TV+), Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC) |
| Stage Work | Baby (Off-Broadway), Private Jones (Signature Theatre), Cinderella (National Tour) |
| Health | Moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss in both ears; wears hearing aids since age 3 |
| Sexual Orientation | Openly gay |
| Spouse | Matthew Davies (married July 31, 2024, Banff, Alberta, Canada) |
| @johnnyvlink | |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Estimated Net Worth | $500K to $2 million USD (estimated) |
Early Life and Growing Up in Illinois
Johnny Link was born on January 24, 1994, in Geneva, Illinois, and grew up in the nearby town of Batavia. From a very young age, he showed a strong love for both music and acting. He took part in theater and musical productions at Batavia High School, where he also played guitar and sang. These early experiences shaped his passion and helped him develop the skills he would later use on stage and on screen.
One of the most important facts about Johnny’s early life is his hearing loss. He was diagnosed with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss in both ears at the age of three and has worn hearing aids ever since. Rather than letting this slow him down, Johnny used it as a driving force. He worked hard to develop his talents, and his hearing loss eventually became a part of his identity that he is proud to share with the world.
Education: Penn State University and the Path to New York
After high school, Johnny took his passion for performance to Pennsylvania State University, where he studied Musical Theater and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. During his time at Penn State, he took part in major productions including Spring Awakening, Les Misérables, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He also joined Penn State Thespians, a student-run theater group that gave him valuable stage experience.
After graduation, Johnny made the bold decision to move to New York City, one of the most competitive places in the world for performers. He knew it would be difficult, but he believed in his abilities. This move turned out to be the right choice, as New York gave him access to Off-Broadway stages, national tours, and eventually, television roles that would bring him to a global audience.
Theater Career: From Off-Broadway to National Tours
Before becoming a Netflix star, Johnny built a solid career in theater. One of his most notable stage roles was playing Danny in the Off-Broadway revival of Baby, a musical by Richard Maltby Jr. He also appeared in Private Jones at both Goodspeed Musicals and Signature Theatre, where he played the character Gomer Jones. This show held a very personal meaning for Johnny, as the story touched on themes of identity and living between two worlds, which resonated deeply with his own experience as a person with hearing loss.
Johnny also performed on the national tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, which is where he first met his future husband, Matthew Davies, in 2017. His theater background gave him strong training as a performer and prepared him well for the transition into television work. The stage helped him become a well-rounded artist with real depth in his craft.
Television Debut: Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Dear Edward
Johnny made his television debut in 2020 when he appeared in Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on NBC. In that show, he worked alongside the Deaf West Theater group, playing a deaf employee named Levi. The role allowed him to use sign language and music, and it gave him a meaningful connection to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. It was an early sign of the kind of authentic, inclusive storytelling that Johnny would continue to be part of.
In 2023, Johnny appeared in Dear Edward, an Apple TV+ drama series based on Ann Napolitano’s novel. He played the character Gary across three episodes. The show starred Taylor Schilling and Connie Britton and gave Johnny his first real experience in front of a streaming audience. It was a stepping stone that helped prepare him for the much larger role that was about to come his way.
Breakthrough Role: Will Walter in My Life with the Walter Boys
Johnny’s career reached a turning point when he was cast as Will Walter in the Netflix series My Life with the Walter Boys, which premiered on December 7, 2023. The show is based on Ali Novak’s popular 2014 novel and follows a teenage girl named Jackie Howard who moves to rural Colorado to live with the Walter family after losing her parents. Will is the eldest of the Walter siblings, a college graduate who is responsible, warm, and always ready to help others.
What makes the role especially meaningful is that Will Walter is also hard of hearing, just like Johnny himself. This gave him the rare opportunity to portray a character who truly reflects his own life. The show was a huge success on Netflix and was renewed for a second season, which was released on August 28, 2025, and a third season set to premiere in 2026. Johnny’s performance earned wide praise from both fans and critics, and it firmly established him as a name to watch in the entertainment industry.
Personal Life: Love, Marriage, and Pride
Johnny Link is openly gay and married to actor and singer Matthew Davies. The two first met in 2017 when they were both cast in the national tour of Cinderella. They began dating shortly after and got engaged in December 2022. On July 31, 2024, they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Banff, Alberta, Canada, surrounded by their closest friends and family.
Their wedding was featured in Vogue, and both Johnny and Matthew spoke beautifully about the day. Johnny described it as “what dreams are made of,” while Matthew called it “a fairytale.” The couple is known for being loving and supportive of each other, and they often share moments from their life together on social media. Matthew is also a vocal LGBTQ+ advocate, making the two a strong and inspiring couple both in and out of the spotlight.
Advocacy: A Voice for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community
Johnny does not just act; he also uses his platform to push for real change in the entertainment industry. As someone who has lived with hearing loss his whole life, he understands the challenges that deaf and hard-of-hearing people face, especially on professional sets. He has spoken about the need for productions to focus on accessibility and to customise support for each person’s individual needs.
In a 2023 interview with American Theatre, Johnny shared that he wants to be seen as a whole person, not just defined by his hearing loss. He hopes to create more space in the industry for authentic representation of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. His work with Deaf West Theater and his role in My Life with the Walter Boys are both examples of how he actively uses his career to support inclusivity and tell real, human stories.
Music: A Talent Beyond Acting
Johnny is not just an actor. He is also a skilled musician who plays the guitar and sings. Music has been a part of his life since childhood, and it remains something he shares regularly with his followers on social media. He posts videos of himself playing guitar and performing songs, showing a softer and more personal side of who he is outside of his acting career.
His musical background plays a big role in how he prepares for his roles and connects with audiences. Whether he is on stage, on screen, or simply sharing a song online, Johnny brings the same passion and care to everything he does. This combination of acting and music makes him a truly well-rounded performer with a great deal to offer the creative world.
Conclusion
Johnny Link is more than just a talented actor; he is a real example of what it means to pursue your dreams no matter what stands in your way. From growing up in Illinois with hearing aids, to studying musical theater at Penn State, to performing on Off-Broadway stages, and finally earning a starring role on Netflix, his journey has been steady, purposeful, and deeply human. His role as Will Walter gave millions of viewers a character they could relate to, and his off-screen work as an advocate makes his impact even greater. As My Life with the Walter Boys continues into new seasons, Johnny Link’s star is only going to keep rising.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Johnny Link?
Johnny Link is an American actor, singer, and musician best known for playing Will Walter in the Netflix series My Life with the Walter Boys. He is also known for his theater work and his appearance in Dear Edward on Apple TV+.
2. Is Johnny Link actually hard of hearing in real life?
Yes. Johnny has had moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss in both ears since childhood and has worn hearing aids since he was three years old. His character Will Walter is also hard of hearing, which makes the role especially personal to him.
3. Who is Johnny Link married to?
Johnny is married to actor and singer Matthew Davies. The two met on the national tour of Cinderella in 2017 and got married on July 31, 2024, in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Their wedding was featured in Vogue.
4. What shows has Johnny Link appeared in?
Johnny has appeared in My Life with the Walter Boys (Netflix), Dear Edward (Apple TV+), and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC). He has also performed in several stage productions, including the Off-Broadway musical Baby and Private Jones at Signature Theatre.
5. Will Johnny Link appear in future seasons of My Life with the Walter Boys?
Yes. The show has been renewed for a third and fourth season on Netflix, and Johnny continues to play Will Walter as the series goes on.
Sources: IMDb, Netflix Fandom Wiki, Broadway World, Briefly.co.za, Netflix Tudum, Wikipedia, Just Jared, Kadhal.net
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