Blab Entertainment
13-Year-Old Actor Mateo Ray Balances Hollywood Career, Music, and Doughnut-Obsessed YouTube Channel
Mateo Ray, a 13‑year‑old actor from Walnut Creek, California, is juggling a growing film career, musical pursuits, and a doughnut‑themed YouTube channel. While he’s slated to appear in Universal Pictures’ August 7, 2026 romantic comedy One Night Only, he’s also promoting his channel Doughnut Daily and a short film that recently earned accolades at the Desertscape and SLO film festivals.
Ray’s on‑screen journey began when he landed a feature‑film role at just four years old. Since then, he has amassed 57 film and television credits, including guest spots on Modern Family, 9‑1‑1, Mayans M.C., and Dave. His talent has been recognized twice by the Young Artist Academy, earning Best Young Actor in a Short Film awards in 2022 and again in 2024. The 45th Young Artist Awards ceremony—merged with the 44th due to the 2023 SAG‑AFTRA strike—took place on July 21, 2024.
Beyond acting, Ray is a budding musician and model. He began piano lessons at five and continues to practice daily, while also training in track and band. His schedule balances school, music, and auditions, a routine the family says has been pivotal to his success. In support of his career, his parents recently relocated near Santa Barbara to keep close to Los Angeles.
The next major milestone is One Night Only, directed by Will Gluck and starring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner. The film will hit U.S. theaters on August 7, 2026. Meanwhile, Ray is involved in the short film The Strawberry, which collected four awards at the Desertscape and SLO festivals. A screening is slated for August 10 at the Orinda Theatre, where Ray will meet the cast and crew.
His most recent on‑screen work was the short film Feral, shot on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. Ray described the shoot as “scary and difficult,” but he persevered and earned a nomination for another Young Artist Academy Award.
Off‑screen, Doughnut Daily documents Ray’s daily life and his affection for doughnuts. With 558 subscribers and 167 videos, the channel blends food reviews, behind‑the‑scenes glimpses, and personal vlogs. He cites Boston cream as his favorite doughnut and also enjoys a square chocolate doughnut from a local shop.
Ray’s discipline is evident in his routine. He sleeps from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., uses the quiet morning hours for himself, and completes independent study while on set. Even during a 26‑day New York shoot with a Chromebook that couldn’t connect to Wi‑Fi, he finished his assignments.
When asked for advice, Ray said, “If you really want to do something, you can’t just say you’ll do it another day. You have to commit.” He also stressed the importance of a supportive family and a structured work schedule.
Looking ahead, Ray’s calendar includes the release of One Night Only in August, the The Strawberry screening on August 10, and ongoing work on Doughnut Daily. His trajectory illustrates a young performer mastering multiple disciplines while maintaining a rigorous routine.
Ray’s on‑screen journey began when he landed a feature‑film role at just four years old. Since then, he has amassed 57 film and television credits, including guest spots on Modern Family, 9‑1‑1, Mayans M.C., and Dave. His talent has been recognized twice by the Young Artist Academy, earning Best Young Actor in a Short Film awards in 2022 and again in 2024. The 45th Young Artist Awards ceremony—merged with the 44th due to the 2023 SAG‑AFTRA strike—took place on July 21, 2024.
Beyond acting, Ray is a budding musician and model. He began piano lessons at five and continues to practice daily, while also training in track and band. His schedule balances school, music, and auditions, a routine the family says has been pivotal to his success. In support of his career, his parents recently relocated near Santa Barbara to keep close to Los Angeles.
The next major milestone is One Night Only, directed by Will Gluck and starring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner. The film will hit U.S. theaters on August 7, 2026. Meanwhile, Ray is involved in the short film The Strawberry, which collected four awards at the Desertscape and SLO festivals. A screening is slated for August 10 at the Orinda Theatre, where Ray will meet the cast and crew.
His most recent on‑screen work was the short film Feral, shot on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. Ray described the shoot as “scary and difficult,” but he persevered and earned a nomination for another Young Artist Academy Award.
Off‑screen, Doughnut Daily documents Ray’s daily life and his affection for doughnuts. With 558 subscribers and 167 videos, the channel blends food reviews, behind‑the‑scenes glimpses, and personal vlogs. He cites Boston cream as his favorite doughnut and also enjoys a square chocolate doughnut from a local shop.
Ray’s discipline is evident in his routine. He sleeps from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., uses the quiet morning hours for himself, and completes independent study while on set. Even during a 26‑day New York shoot with a Chromebook that couldn’t connect to Wi‑Fi, he finished his assignments.
When asked for advice, Ray said, “If you really want to do something, you can’t just say you’ll do it another day. You have to commit.” He also stressed the importance of a supportive family and a structured work schedule.
Looking ahead, Ray’s calendar includes the release of One Night Only in August, the The Strawberry screening on August 10, and ongoing work on Doughnut Daily. His trajectory illustrates a young performer mastering multiple disciplines while maintaining a rigorous routine.
