Dacre Montgomery: Why He Left Stranger Things and Returned
There’s a moment after a massive breakout role when every door in Hollywood swings open. For most actors, that’s the dream. For Dacre Montgomery, it was the signal to walk away. The Australian actor, who terrified audiences as Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things, spent years recalibrating his career on his own terms. Here’s the full story behind his exit and why he’s finally back.
Born: 1994 ·
Height: 1.78 m ·
Notable Role: Billy Hargrove ·
Famous For: Power Rangers, Stranger Things ·
Instagram Followers: 2.5M+
Quick snapshot
- Power Rangers (2017) (Wikipedia)
- Stranger Things Seasons 2-3 (Wikipedia)
- Went Up the Hill (2025) (Wikipedia)
Seven key facts about Montgomery’s life and career, one pattern: the same pull between mainstream visibility and personal boundaries runs through every chapter.
The table below captures the essential biographical data on Dacre Montgomery, from his birth details to his current relationship status.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dacre Montgomery |
| Birth Date | November 22, 1994 (Wikipedia) |
| Age | 30 (as of 2025) |
| Height | 1.78 m (Wikipedia) |
| Notable Roles | Billy Hargrove (Stranger Things), Jason Scott (Power Rangers) |
| Spouse/Partner | Liv Pollock (actress) (People) |
| @dacremontgomery |
Why did Dacre leave Stranger Things?
Why did Dacre Montgomery quit Hollywood?
- Dacre Montgomery left Hollywood because fame “scared the shit out of me” (People magazine)
- He returned for the indie film Went Up the Hill
- He cited mental health and a desire for meaningful work (E News (YouTube))
Montgomery told People that after Stranger Things, he felt pushed in a “commercial direction” and knew he needed to “reverse engineer” his career. He said he wanted to move toward “art house films” and to choose filmmakers and movies aligned with his creative goals. In an interview with E News, he explained that “Traditional Hollywood stars existed because there was mystery” and that social media “has done away with that.”
He described Went Up the Hill, which premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, as “exactly the thing I want to be doing” (People).
Montgomery spent roughly five to six years steering his career back from the commercial lane. For an actor who could have ridden the Stranger Things wave into any franchise, that’s a deliberate forfeit of immediate paydays in exchange for creative autonomy.
The implication: Montgomery’s hiatus was not a retreat from acting but a strategic repositioning toward the kind of work he values most.
Is Dacre Montgomery in a relationship?
Is Dacre Montgomery a nice guy in real life?
- Dacre Montgomery is in a relationship with actress Liv Pollock (People)
- He is described as down-to-earth by co-stars
Montgomery has kept his personal life relatively private since stepping back from the spotlight. His relationship with Pollock, a fellow Australian actress, has been low-key, and the couple rarely appears on red carpets together. Co-stars and interviewers frequently note his grounded demeanor.
Is Zac Efron related to Dacre Montgomery?
- No relation to Zac Efron
Despite fan speculation because of their similar looks and both starting out as young male leads, the two actors share no family connection.
The pattern: Montgomery’s personal life mirrors his professional choices — low visibility, high intentionality.
Is Billy Hargrove LGBT?
Who in Stranger Things is LGBTQ?
- Billy Hargrove is a queer-coded character (E News)
- Noah Schnapp’s character Will Byers is confirmed gay
- Dacre Montgomery has spoken about the queer coding of Billy
Billy Hargrove’s sexuality has been a subject of debate among fans since Season 2. Montgomery has addressed the queer coding in interviews, acknowledging that the character’s intense antagonism toward Steve Harrington and his own father’s abuse carried subtextual layers. In Season 3, Billy’s backstory reveals a traumatic childhood, but the show never explicitly confirms his sexuality — leaving the coding open to interpretation.
The one confirmed LGBTQ character in Stranger Things is Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp. In Season 4, Will’s love for Mike Wheeler is made explicit. Montgomery has publicly supported fans who read Billy as queer.
The queer-coding conversation around Billy Hargrove remains one of the few unresolved threads from the show. Unlike Will Byers, whose arc is confirmed, Billy’s ambiguity leaves room for continued fan debate — and Montgomery’s willingness to engage with it keeps his legacy relevant.
What this means: Montgomery’s engagement with the queer-coding discussion adds a layer of depth to his post-Stranger Things identity, keeping him culturally relevant even during his hiatus.
Why isn’t Dacre Montgomery more famous?
- Dacre Montgomery deliberately chose to step back from fame (Yahoo Entertainment)
- He has a selective career approach
- He is not as mainstream famous as some Stranger Things co-stars
Montgomery told Yahoo Entertainment that he felt he needed to “step away to protect myself.” The choice to step back instead of capitalizing on Stranger Things popularity may explain why the general public knows his character’s face more than his name. While co-stars like Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard launched blockbuster film careers, Montgomery opted for indie projects and a directorial debut.
His selective approach extends to social media. He maintains an Instagram account but keeps a relatively low profile.
The catch: Montgomery’s lower fame is not a failure but a deliberate choice — one that prioritizes artistic integrity over celebrity status.
How tall is Dacre Montgomery?
How old is Dacre Montgomery?
- Dacre Montgomery was born November 22, 1994 (Wikipedia)
- His height is 1.78 m (5’10”)
What movies and TV shows has Dacre Montgomery been in?
- He starred in Power Rangers (2017), Stranger Things (2017–2019), and Went Up the Hill (2025)
- He portrayed Steve Binder in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis (2022) (Wikipedia)
- He co-starred with Bill Skarsgård in Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire (2025)
- He will make his directorial debut with The Engagement Party
How do you pronounce Dacre Montgomery?
- Pronunciation: DAY-kər mənt-GUM-ə-ree
Montgomery’s filmography shows a clear pattern: after the blockbuster phase (Power Rangers, Stranger Things), he pivoted exclusively toward auteur-driven projects. Elvis under Baz Luhrmann, Dead Man’s Wire under Gus Van Sant, and Went Up the Hill at TIFF — each choice signals an actor prioritizing director pedigree over franchise scale.
Timeline
- 2017: Stars in Power Rangers (Wikipedia)
- 2017–2019: Plays Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things seasons 2 and 3
- 2020–2024: Takes break from Hollywood
- 2025: Returns in Went Up the Hill
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
- Confirmed: Dacre Montgomery played Billy Hargrove (Wikipedia)
- Confirmed: He left Hollywood after Stranger Things
- Confirmed: He is in a relationship with Liv Pollock (People)
- Unclear: Exact reasons for leaving beyond general discomfort
- Unclear: Whether he will return to major franchise projects
“Fame scared the shit out of me.”
— Dacre Montgomery, speaking to People
“I’ve given a piece of myself to every role I’ve played.”
— Dacre Montgomery, speaking to E News
The story of Dacre Montgomery’s career is one of deliberate restraint in an industry that rewards maximum exposure. His return via Went Up the Hill and future projects like Dead Man’s Wire and The Engagement Party suggest a creative reset that values longevity over noise. For fans who first met him as the volatile Billy Hargrove, the actor behind the character is proving far more interesting — and careful — than the roles he played.
The actor’s abrupt exit from the industry is explored in detail in an article about Dacre Montgomerys Hollywood departure, which covers his marriage, height, and post-Stranger Things life.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dacre Montgomery have Instagram?
Yes, he is active under the handle @dacremontgomery.
What is Dacre Montgomery’s net worth?
His exact net worth is not publicly confirmed, but estimates from fan sources place it in the low millions.
Did Dacre Montgomery date anyone from Stranger Things?
No. He is in a long-term relationship with actress Liv Pollock, not with any co-stars from the show.
What is Dacre Montgomery’s next project?
He will star in Dead Man’s Wire alongside Bill Skarsgård and make his directorial debut with The Engagement Party.
Is Dacre Montgomery active on social media?
He maintains an Instagram presence but has a relatively low-key profile compared to many peers.
Where is Dacre Montgomery from?
He was born in Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
For Dacre Montgomery, the choice is clear: a career built on intentionality over velocity, or another move back toward the mainstream. So far, he’s betting on the former. Montgomery’s trajectory proves that stepping away from the spotlight can be a strategic move toward a more sustainable and fulfilling career.
More related posts
Liam Neeson Pamela Anderson Relationship: Full Story
Where to Watch Gangs of London: Now TV, Sky, AMC+
Sydney Sweeney’s White Lotus Role: Episodes & Character
Andre Agassi: Biography, Diagnosis, Net Worth & Life
Peggy Gou Biography: Age, Net Worth, Songs and More
Gian Van Veen: Dartitis, Nickname & PDC Career
Man City vs Aston Villa Stats: H2H, Results & Predictions
Pet Shop Boys Songs – Top Hits, Discography and Chart Records
