The Two Faces Of Rowley Jefferson: Where Are The Live-Action Actors Now?

Rowley Jefferson, the loyal, lovable, and perpetually innocent best friend of Greg Heffley, is arguably the heart of the entire Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise. His enduring catchphrase, "Wanna come over to my house and play?", cemented his status as a cinematic icon for a generation of young moviegoers. As of December 2025, the character has been portrayed by two distinct actors in the live-action film series, each bringing a unique charm to the role.

The journey of the live-action Rowley is split into two eras: the beloved original trilogy and the 2017 reboot. This deep dive explores the full biographies, filmography, and current career paths of the two talented actors who defined the live-action version of Jeff Kinney's most famous sidekick, revealing which one is currently starring in a major HBO crime series.

Robert Capron: The Original and Definitive Rowley Jefferson

Robert Capron is the actor most fans immediately associate with the role of Rowley Jefferson. He starred in the first three live-action films, perfectly capturing the character's wholesome naivete and hilarious sincerity. His chemistry with Zachary Gordon, who played Greg Heffley, was a cornerstone of the original film series' success.

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Robert Capron: Full Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Robert Banfield Capron Jr.
• Date of Birth: July 9, 1998
• Place of Birth: Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
• Career Status: Actor, Writer, Director, Producer
• Notable Roles (Wimpy Kid): Rowley Jefferson in Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010), Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011), and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012).
• Other Major Filmography: Bride Wars (2009), Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009), The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010), voiced 'Bob' in Tim Burton's Frankenweenie (2012), The Three Stooges (2012), and The Polka King (2017).
• Recent Activity (2024-2025): Robert Capron is actively involved in the industry, focusing on acting, writing, and directing. He has been the subject of recent interviews in 2024, reflecting on his career and the iconic role.

From Middle School to Movie Sets: Robert Capron’s Career Trajectory

Capron's portrayal of Rowley Jefferson, Greg Heffley's best friend, earned him widespread recognition and several Young Artist Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor. The original trilogy, which introduced the world to the live-action versions of the Heffley family and the iconic "Zoo-Wee Mama!" catchphrase, remains a nostalgic favorite.

Following the conclusion of the original film series, Capron transitioned into other significant projects. He lent his voice to the character 'Bob' in the critically acclaimed stop-motion animated film Frankenweenie, directed by the legendary Tim Burton. This role demonstrated his versatility beyond the comedic sidekick.

In more recent years, Capron has stepped behind the camera, exploring roles as a writer, producer, and director, suggesting a deeper, more multifaceted involvement in filmmaking. His presence in the industry is a testament to his enduring passion for cinema, moving past the child actor phase into a mature creative career. He and Zachary Gordon, the original Greg Heffley, have had a few notable reunions over the years, delighting fans of the Wimpy Kid film series.

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Owen Asztalos: The Rowley of 'The Long Haul' Reboot

In 2017, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise was rebooted with a completely new cast for the film adaptation of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul. This film introduced Owen Asztalos as the new live-action Rowley Jefferson, alongside Jason Drucker as Greg Heffley. The recasting was necessary due to the original actors having aged out of their middle school roles.

Owen Asztalos: Full Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Gyula Owen Asztalos
• Date of Birth: July 15, 2005
• Place of Birth: Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Career Status: Actor, Musician
• Notable Roles (Wimpy Kid): Rowley Jefferson in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017).
• Other Major Filmography/TV Series: Netflix’s Jessica Jones (2015), Paterson (2016), NBC's Shades of Blue, Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Ron Howard's film Hillbilly Elegy (2020), The Flight Attendant, and HBO’s The Penguin (TV Miniseries).
• Recent Activity (2024-2025): Owen Asztalos has continued his acting career with significant roles, most notably appearing in The Penguin TV miniseries, a highly anticipated spin-off from the film The Batman.

From Road Trip Comedy to Serious Drama: Owen Asztalos’s Diverse Roles

Owen Asztalos took on the challenge of playing Rowley in The Long Haul, a film that focused on the Heffley family's disastrous road trip. His portrayal was distinct from Capron's, bringing a slightly different energy to the character while maintaining the core elements of Rowley's innocence and devotion to Greg. The film also featured Alicia Silverstone as Susan Heffley, the family's mother, and Charlie Wright as Rodrick Heffley.

What is particularly striking about Asztalos's career is the variety of projects he has undertaken. Unlike the lighter, family-friendly tone of the Wimpy Kid film series, Asztalos has secured roles in serious, high-profile dramas and critically acclaimed television shows. His early career included appearances in Jessica Jones and the independent film Paterson.

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His most current and notable role is in the HBO Max TV miniseries The Penguin, which is part of the DC Comics universe. Starring Colin Farrell, this project demonstrates Asztalos's successful transition into more mature and complex material, marking a significant step up from the family comedy genre. This makes him the live-action Rowley actor with the most high-profile recent credit as of late 2024.

Live-Action vs. Animated: The Evolution of Rowley Jefferson

The character of Rowley Jefferson has seen more than just two live-action interpretations; the franchise has also been revived by Disney+ with a series of animated films based on the Jeff Kinney books. The shift from live-action to animation marks a fascinating evolution for the character and the overall Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series.

Key Differences Across Adaptations (Topical Authority Entities)

• The Original Trilogy (2010–2012): Defined by the performances of Robert Capron (Rowley) and Zachary Gordon (Greg Heffley). These films covered the first four books: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Rodrick Rules, and Dog Days.
• The Reboot (2017): Featured Owen Asztalos (Rowley) and Jason Drucker (Greg Heffley) in a standalone adaptation of The Long Haul. The film attempted to relaunch the cinematic series but did not continue with the same cast.
• The Animated Films (2021-Present): Disney's current animated series, starting with Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021), features Ethan William Childress as the voice of Rowley Jefferson. Subsequent animated films like Rodrick Rules (2022) and Cabin Fever (2023) continue this trend, bringing the visual style closer to Jeff Kinney's original drawings.

While the animated films have introduced new voice actors, the live-action versions, especially Robert Capron's, hold a special place for fans who grew up with the original movies. The contrast between Capron's comedic timing and Asztalos's recent dramatic work highlights the diverse paths child actors take after their breakout roles. Both actors, alongside their respective Greg Heffley co-stars, remain key entities in the enduring legacy of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid multimedia franchise.

The success of the franchise—from the original books by author Jeff Kinney to the various film adaptations—ensures that the character of Rowley Jefferson, whether portrayed by Robert Capron or Owen Asztalos, will continue to be celebrated as one of cinema's most endearing best friends.