Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson has spoken about his possible Irish roots ahead of the release of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, adding his name to the long list of Hollywood stars with connections — confirmed or otherwise — to Ireland.
Speaking to Joe.ie, the actor reflected on his background and admitted he has never taken a DNA test, but believes Ireland is part of his family history. “I'm almost 100% sure I have Irish ancestors. I think I am a blend of a lot of the white nations like the UK. I know I have some Welsh, I've been told I have English and Irish but I've never done the test but it's in me somewhere.”
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"I'm almost 100 percent sure I have Irish ancestors." We chatted to Josh Hutcherson ahead of the release of Five Night at Freddy's 2 Josh told us about his ancestry and (kind of) working with Colin Farrell #JoshHutcherson #ColinFarrell #Irish
For Irish audiences, it’s a familiar story. Many American stars trace their heritage back to Ireland, with generations of emigration meaning Irish roots run deep across Hollywood. Chris Evans, Anne Hathaway, Ben and Casey Affleck, Mariah Carey, and members of The Jonas Brothers have all spoken about Irish ancestry over the years, reinforcing Ireland’s cultural footprint in Hollywood.
Hutcherson, now firmly established as one of his generation’s most recognisable actors, rose to global fame as Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games franchise. Cast opposite Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen, Hutcherson became a household name when the first film arrived in 2012, launching a series that would go on to gross more than $3 billion worldwide. His portrayal of Peeta — compassionate, resilient and quietly defiant — earned him a devoted fanbase and cemented his place in modern pop culture.
Before Panem, Hutcherson was already a prolific child actor, starring in films such as Zathura, Bridge to Terabithia and Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Unlike many former child stars, his transition into adult roles was steady rather than explosive, with Hutcherson deliberately choosing varied projects across genres.
One of his most recent career successes came with Five Nights at Freddy’s, the 2023 horror adaptation of the hugely popular video game franchise. The film became a surprise box-office hit, particularly among younger audiences and long-time fans of the game, quickly earning cult status. Hutcherson played Mike Schmidt, a troubled security guard navigating the sinister world of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza — a role that introduced him to an entirely new fanbase.
The sequel, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, is expected to expand the franchise’s lore, dive deeper into its dark mythology and raise the stakes considerably. Early buzz suggests a bigger, scarier instalment, with Hutcherson once again front and centre as the series pushes further into mainstream horror territory.
While Hutcherson may not yet have taken the DNA test to confirm it, his comments will resonate with fans who take pride in spotting Irish connections across global entertainment. With a major sequel on the way and his legacy already secure thanks to The Hunger Games, the actor continues to evolve — Irish roots or not — as one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars of the past decade.
