If you’ve watched TNT’s Animal Kingdom, you know Deran Cody — the quietly intense middle brother who runs the family bar. The actor behind him, Jake Weary, has been shaping that character for six seasons, but his own story includes indie horror, teen comedies, and a few well-placed haircuts. Here’s what we know — and what’s still unclear — about the man who brought Deran to life.

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Birth name: Jacob Weary · Born: February 14, 1990 · Birthplace: Trenton, New Jersey, USA · Known for: Deran Cody in Animal Kingdom · Profession: Actor, musician

Quick snapshot

1Who is Jake Weary?
2Personal Life
3Physical Appearance
4Career Highlights

The implication: his filmography is broader than most casual viewers realize, but it’s the role of Deran Cody that anchors public recognition.

Six key facts, one pattern: Jake Weary’s professional identity is tightly tied to a single character — but his résumé spans genres from indie horror to teen comedy.

Attribute Detail
Full Name Jacob Weary (Wikipedia)
Date of Birth February 14, 1990 (Wikipedia)
Birthplace Trenton, New Jersey, USA (Wikipedia)
Occupation Actor, musician, singer-songwriter (IMDb)
Years Active 2006–present (Wikipedia)
Notable Works Animal Kingdom, It Follows, Fred: The Movie (TNT Drama; Apple TV)
Bottom line: The catch: his filmography is broader than most casual viewers realize, but it’s the role of Deran Cody that anchors public recognition.

What is Jake Weary best known for?

What are Jake Weary’s most notable roles?

  • Jake Weary is best known for playing Deran Cody on TNT’s Animal Kingdom, which ran from 2016 to 2022 (Wikipedia; TNT Drama).
  • He appeared in the horror film It Follows (2014) (Apple TV).
  • Earlier roles include the character Kevin in the Fred film series and Luke on As the World Turns (Famous Birthdays).

While Animal Kingdom dominates his profile, his filmography shows a deliberate shift from teen comedy to gritty drama.

What is Jake Weary’s real name?

His full birth name is Jacob Weary (Wikipedia). He records music under the stage name Jake Weary.

How old is Jake Weary?

Born February 14, 1990, he turned 34 in 2024 (Wikipedia).

Bottom line: Jake Weary is Animal Kingdom‘s Deran Cody first, but his career includes roles in horror, TV soaps, and comedy. Viewers who know him only from the TNT drama may be surprised by his early work.

Who is Jake Weary married to?

Did Jake and Lady break up?

On Animal Kingdom, Deran Cody’s relationship with the character Lady ended during the series. This is a storyline, not a real-life event. Jake Weary’s personal relationship status is not widely reported by major outlets.

Does Jake Weary have a girlfriend?

According to Wikipedia crowd-sourced biography, Jake Weary married actress and model Vera Bulder in 2019. However, this claim has not been corroborated by mainstream editorial sources or official statements. The Animal Kingdom Wiki fan database repeats the same information. Without direct confirmation from the actor or a Tier-1 outlet, the details remain unverified.

The gap

For fans seeking clear answers about Jake Weary’s marital status, the trail goes cold after Wikipedia. No major interview or public event has independently verified his marriage to Vera Bulder.

Why did Jake Weary cut his hair in season 3?

Does Jake Weary wear a wig?

Yes — according to behind-the-scenes material from TNT YouTube behind-the-scenes, June 2018, production used a wig for Deran Cody in Season 3 after Weary cut his real hair during hiatus. A Facebook post from Animal Kingdom TNT (April 2020) also credits continuity concerns over the haircut. Fans widely noticed the wig, with online discussions (Reddit, low confidence) describing it as “noticeably bad and bright in color.”

What is the “3 hair rule”?

There is no official “3 hair rule” in Animal Kingdom. The fan term refers to the abrupt length change between Season 2 and Season 3, a production necessity rather than a character decision.

Why this matters

The wig controversy became a minor cultural moment among the show’s fanbase. It illustrates how an actor’s personal grooming choice can ripple into production continuity — and how vocal audiences can be about it.

Does Jake Weary have tattoos in real life?

Fan observations and on-screen appearances suggest that Jake Weary has visible tattoos, but no authority source has officially documented them. The TNT Drama profile does not mention tattoos. Without a direct interview or verified social media post, the claim remains unconfirmed. Here, the distinction between character and actor blurs: Deran Cody is tattoo-free, while Weary’s personal ink may appear in behind-the-scenes shots.

The trade-off

Jake Weary’s real-life tattoos, if they exist, are a minor part of his public image. For casting directors, visible tattoos can limit role types — a detail that may influence his career choices.

Where does Jake Weary live now?

In a YouTube interview (October 2021), Weary mentioned living in Los Angeles. Exact current residence is not available. As an actor working primarily in U.S. television, Los Angeles remains a likely base, but no source confirms a move or permanent address.

Timeline signal

  • 1990 – Born Jacob Weary on February 14 in Trenton, New Jersey (Wikipedia).
  • 2006 – Began acting career with minor roles (IMDb).
  • 2010 – Appeared in Fred: The Movie (Famous Birthdays).
  • 2014 – Starred in the horror film It Follows (Apple TV).
  • 2016–2022 – Played Deran Cody in TNT’s Animal Kingdom (TNT Drama).
  • 2018 – Wig used in Season 3 after hair cut (TNT YouTube).
  • 2023 – Continued acting and music projects.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date and place: February 14, 1990, Trenton, New Jersey (Wikipedia).
  • Role as Deran Cody on Animal Kingdom (TNT Drama).
  • Appeared in It Follows and Fred: The Movie (Apple TV; Famous Birthdays).
  • Cut hair during hiatus before Season 3, requiring a wig (TNT YouTube).

What’s unclear

  • Marital status and relationship details (Wikipedia claim unverified by Tier-1 sources).
  • Exact height (no official listing).
  • Whether he has played roles in Vikings, Yellowstone, or Game of Thrones (unconfirmed).
  • Current home address.
  • Real-life tattoos (no authoritative documentation).

For fans and researchers, the pattern is clear: Jake Weary’s public persona is largely shaped by one role, while his private life remains mostly off the record. The verified facts are solid but narrow.

Additional sources

reddit.com, tntanimalkingdom.fandom.com

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Frequently asked questions

How old is Jake Weary?

He was born on February 14, 1990, making him 34 as of 2024 (Wikipedia).

What is Jake Weary’s real name?

His full name is Jacob Weary (Wikipedia).

What movies has Jake Weary been in?

Notable films include It Follows (2014) and Fred: The Movie (2010). He also appeared in Bleeding Love and Leave Not One Alive (Apple TV; TNT Drama).

Is Jake Weary on Instagram?

He does not appear to maintain a verified public Instagram account. No official page is listed in major biography sources.

Does Jake Weary have any siblings?

No reliable source confirms siblings. His family background is not publicly documented.

What is Jake Weary’s most famous role?

Deran Cody on Animal Kingdom is by far his most recognized role (TNT Drama).