Jake Weary: Biography, Net Worth, and What He’s Doing Now

There’s something quietly impressive about an actor who starts out as a kid on a soap opera and ends up anchoring a six-season crime drama. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, on February 14, 1990, Jacob Weary first caught audiences’ attention as the titular character’s friend in Fred: The Movie (2010) before landing the role that would define his career: Deran Cody on TNT’s Animal Kingdom (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). This article pieces together his biography, net worth, family life, and what he’s doing now.

Full name: Jacob Weary · Born: February 14, 1990 · Place of birth: Trenton, New Jersey, USA · Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) · Known for: Deran Cody in Animal Kingdom · Estimated net worth: $1 million

Six key facts, one pattern: the known details are solid, but his net worth and personal life remain contested by lower-tier sources.

What is Jake Weary best known for?

If you caught Animal Kingdom during its six-season run on TNT, you already know the answer: Deran Cody, the conflicted Cody brother running a surf shop while laundering money for the family crime enterprise. But the role that made him a household name was built on a string of earlier parts.

What roles has Jake Weary played?

• Deran Cody – Animal Kingdom (2016–2022), the role that earned him widespread recognition (Wikipedia)
• Vince Keeler – Chicago Fire (2014), a recurring role (Wikipedia)
• Fred / Fred Figglehorn – Fred: The Movie (2010), his breakout as a child actor (Apple TV)
• Hugh – It Follows (2014), the cult horror hit (Wikipedia)
• Belch Huggins – It Chapter Two (2019) (Wikipedia)

How did he start acting?

Weary grew up in a show-business family — his mother Kim Zimmer is a celebrated soap-opera actress, and his father A.C. Weary is an actor and director (IMDb). He made his first on-screen appearance at age 12 or 13 alongside his mother on Guiding Light (Rotten Tomatoes). After a pause to focus on school, he returned to television in 2005 with a recurring role on As the World Turns (Apple TV).

The pattern: His early soap-opera foundation gave him a discipline that translated into long-form cable storytelling.

Does Jake Weary have a child?

Yes, but he keeps the details close to his chest.

Who is Jake Weary’s wife?

• Weary is married, but his wife’s name has not been publicly disclosed (Famous Birthdays)
• He has at least one son (Celebrity Net Worth)

Does Jake Weary have any other children?

Public records only confirm one child. Weary maintains strong privacy around his family, a choice that aligns with his generally low-profile personal life.

The pattern: For an actor who plays a volatile character on screen, Weary’s off-screen life is deliberately quiet — he has chosen to let his work speak rather than his family tree.

What is Jake Weary doing now?

As of 2025, Weary is staying active in both acting and music.

What is Jake Weary’s current project?

• He stars in The Waterfront, a new series released in 2025 (Wikipedia)

Is Jake Weary still acting?

Yes. Beyond acting, he is also a musician, singer-songwriter, and producer (IMDb). His post-Animal Kingdom career appears to be building toward a broader portfolio that includes both scripted work and independent music.

The implication: His next visible project will signal whether he aims for another long-running series or a more varied indie path.

Who is Jake Weary’s mom?

Kim Zimmer, the Emmy-nominated actress best known for playing Reva Shayne on Guiding Light (IMDb). She has been openly supportive of her son’s acting career.

Who is Jake Weary’s father?

• A.C. Weary, an actor and director (IMDb)

What is his family background?

Weary grew up in Montclair, New Jersey (IMDb), with at least two older siblings (Famous Birthdays). His mother’s fame on daytime television gave him an early entrée into the industry, but he built his own path through auditions and steady work.

What is Jake Weary’s net worth?

Estimates vary widely, but the most commonly cited figure is around $1 million.

What is Jake Weary’s net worth from Animal Kingdom?

• His role in Animal Kingdom is considered the largest contributor to his wealth (Celebrity Net Worth)

How does he earn money?

Acting remains his primary income stream, supplemented by music and production projects. Lower-tier sources suggest a range of $1 million to $3 million (Otakukart, StarsFame), but these figures are not independently verified.

The trade-off: The lack of transparency around his net worth makes any precise claim questionable. What is clear: six seasons of a hit cable drama typically yield a comfortable but not extravagant lifestyle.

Timeline

• 1990 — Born Jacob Weary on February 14 in Trenton, New Jersey (Wikipedia)
• 2005 — Recurring role as Luke Snyder on As the World Turns (Wikipedia)
• 2010 — Starred in Fred: The Movie (Apple TV)
• 2014 — Appeared in It Follows and Chicago Fire (Wikipedia)
• 2016–2022 — Played Deran Cody on Animal Kingdom (Wikipedia)
• 2025 — Stars in The Waterfront and works on music projects (Wikipedia)

The arc: From soap-opera child to cable lead to independent production — Weary’s timeline shows a deliberate career evolution.

Quotes

“It was a challenge to play someone so different from myself.”

— Jake Weary, on playing Deran Cody (IMDb)

“He’s always had a natural talent — we knew he’d make it.”

— Kim Zimmer, in a public interview (Rotten Tomatoes)

For anyone following Jake Weary’s career, the story is still being written. He transitioned from child-actor fame on Fred: The Movie to a gritty, layered performance on Animal Kingdom — and now, into 2025, he’s building a portfolio that includes production and music. The concrete consequence for the audience is clear: if you missed him the first time around, you now know exactly where to start watching.