Actor, writer, director, and animal advocate. That is how Nicola Peltz Beckham describes herself on Instagram, and it sums up her public image well.
Although her marriage brought her further into the spotlight, Nicola was already well known through her acting career and her prominent family background. She is the daughter of billionaire investor Nelson Peltz and former fashion model Claudia Heffner. Her father co founded a major New York based investment firm and previously served as a director for global brands including Heinz. Her mother enjoyed a successful modeling career in the 1980s and 1990s. Together, they raised eight children and have been married for more than four decades.
Nicola grew up in New York and initially faced resistance from her parents when she expressed interest in acting. In interviews, she has shared that her parents hoped she would focus on sports, particularly ice hockey, which she played as a child. At age 11, after discovering her love for drama classes, she asked to pursue acting. Though hesitant at first, her parents eventually supported her ambition.
Her first film appearance came in 2004 with the holiday comedy Deck the Halls. A year later, she landed a stage role in Blackbird at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Nicola went on to appear in major productions including The Last Airbender in 2010, Transformers Age of Extinction in 2014, and the television series Bates Motel, where she played a key romantic role.
She has also worked in music videos for artists such as Zayn Malik and Miley Cyrus, and modeled for international fashion brands including Genny. Her upcoming indie film, Prima, features her as a ballerina and includes acclaimed actors Faye Dunaway and Mira Sorvino. The story is based on a character she created herself.
In 2024, Nicola made her directorial debut with the film Lola, which she also wrote and starred in. The movie received mixed reviews, but she addressed online criticism by explaining that the project.
Beyond film, Nicola is a strong advocate for animal adoption and fostering. Her efforts earned her a PETA award in 2022.
