7 Shocking Facts About Austen Rydell: Producer, Actor, And The Man Who Married Hollywood Royalty

Austen Rydell has quietly cemented his status as a formidable Hollywood producer and entrepreneur, stepping out from the shadow of his famous in-laws to build his own empire with fresh, high-profile projects. As of December 14, 2025, the co-founder of Morning Moon Productions continues to expand his creative footprint, balancing a burgeoning career in film and television with a deeply private, yet globally fascinating, family life alongside actress Billie Lourd and their two young children. His recent executive producer credit on the film *Watershed*, which premiered in July 2025, underscores his current momentum in the industry. Rydell’s journey is a compelling blend of acting roots, sharp business acumen, and a relationship that connects him directly to the legendary Fisher-Reynolds Hollywood dynasty. From his early days as an actor to his current role as a studio co-president, he represents a new generation of industry power players who prefer to operate behind the scenes, yet whose influence is undeniable. This deep dive reveals the most current and surprising details about the man who has captured the heart of the *Star Wars* and *American Horror Story* star.

The Complete Austen Rydell Biography & Profile

Austen Rydell maintains a relatively low public profile, focusing his career primarily on producing and development, but his personal and professional details paint a picture of a successful, multi-faceted creative.

• Full Name: Austen Christopher Rydell
• Date of Birth: April 3, 1992
• Age (as of 2025): 33 years old
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Nationality: American
• Education: Attended New York University (NYU)
• Spouse: Billie Catherine Lourd (Actress)
• Marriage Date: March 12, 2022 (in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico)
• Children:
  • Son: Kingston Fisher Lourd Rydell (born 2020)
  • Daughter: Jackson Joanne Rydell (born December 2022)
• Parents-in-Law: Carrie Fisher (Mother-in-Law, deceased) and Bryan Lourd (Father-in-Law)
• Grandparents-in-Law: Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher
• Primary Profession: Film Producer, Executive, Co-President of Morning Moon Productions
• Notable Film Credits (Producer/Executive): *Watershed* (Executive Producer, 2025), *The Last Showgirl* (2024)
• Early Acting Credits: *Unfabulous* (4 credits)

The Rise of Morning Moon Productions and Fresh 2025 Projects

Austen Rydell’s most significant career move was co-founding the production company Morning Moon Productions, which has rapidly become a hub for high-quality, independent film and television development. This venture, co-helmed with partners Kyle Owens and Ethan Lazar, signifies his transition from an actor to a serious industry executive.

1. The Executive Producer Credit That Solidified His Status

The most recent and definitive proof of Rydell's influence is his role as an executive producer on the film *Watershed*. The project premiered in July 2025 and saw his wife, Billie Lourd, appear alongside him at the Los Angeles premiere, drawing significant media attention. This high-profile credit demonstrates his current activity and success in getting projects funded and released in the competitive Hollywood landscape.

2. Morning Moon: A Family Affair and Creative Powerhouse

Founded around 2018/2019, Morning Moon Productions is more than just a business for Rydell; it’s a family collaboration. Billie Lourd is also listed as a Partner and Producer at the company, indicating that the couple is actively developing projects together. This joint professional venture allows them to leverage their combined creative networks and industry insights. The company is focused on developing both film and television projects from the ground up, giving Rydell a crucial role in shaping the content that reaches audiences.

3. Connections to 'The Last Showgirl' and TIFF

While Billie Lourd starred in the 2024 film *The Last Showgirl* alongside icons like Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis, Austen Rydell was a prominent fixture at the premiere during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). His presence at such a major festival, supporting his wife's work in a critically acclaimed film, further positions him as a key figure in the independent film circuit. This project, directed by Gia Coppola, is another example of the high-caliber talent Rydell and Lourd associate with.

The Fisher-Reynolds Legacy and His Private Family Life

Austen Rydell’s personal life is inextricably linked to one of Hollywood’s most famous and storied families: the Fisher-Reynolds dynasty. His marriage to Billie Lourd, the daughter of the late Carrie Fisher and granddaughter of Debbie Reynolds, placed him at the heart of this legacy.

4. The Touching Tributes in His Children’s Names

The names of his two children serve as a powerful, permanent tribute to Billie Lourd’s late mother and grandmother. Their first child, son Kingston Fisher Lourd Rydell, has the middle name "Fisher" in direct honor of his maternal grandmother, the iconic Carrie Fisher. Their second child, daughter Jackson Joanne Rydell, was given the middle name "Joanne" in tribute to Lourd's grandmother, Debbie Reynolds, whose birth name was Mary Frances Reynolds and who went by Joanne. This choice highlights the deep respect and commitment Rydell has for his wife’s family history.

5. An On-Again, Off-Again Romance That Led to Forever

Rydell and Lourd’s relationship timeline is a classic Hollywood romance with a modern twist. They first met in 2011 while attending New York University (NYU) but had an on-again, off-again relationship for several years. They reconnected in 2017, shortly after the tragic deaths of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, providing an anchor for Lourd during a period of immense grief. Rydell proposed in June 2020, and they married in a beautiful ceremony in Mexico in March 2022. Their stable, supportive partnership is frequently praised by Lourd in interviews.

6. The Surprising Acting Roots

Before fully dedicating himself to the world of producing, Austen Rydell was an actor. While his current focus is behind the camera, his early career included roles in television, notably a recurring appearance in the Nickelodeon series *Unfabulous*. This background gives him a comprehensive understanding of the entire filmmaking process, from an actor’s perspective to the executive decision-making of a producer—a valuable asset in his current role at Morning Moon Productions.

7. The Question of Net Worth and Hollywood Influence

While a definitive, citable figure for Austen Rydell’s personal net worth is not publicly disclosed, his position as the Co-President of a successful production company and his consistent involvement in high-budget projects like *Watershed* strongly indicates a significant financial standing. Furthermore, his marriage to Billie Lourd, who is the sole heir to the estate of Carrie Fisher, places him firmly within a powerful and financially established echelon of Hollywood. His influence is measured less by a single dollar figure and more by his ability to greenlight and execute major film and TV productions. The combination of his own professional success and his family connections makes him one of the most influential, yet low-key, producers working today.