Elden Henson has been a working actor since he was just three years old, and over the years, Elden Henson has built an impressive career that’s spanned decades. Known early on by variations of his name—sometimes billed as Elden Ratliff or Elden Ryan Ratliff—Henson stepped into the spotlight at a remarkably young age. Before even hitting double digits, Elden Henson had already made a name for himself in both film and television. He started out as a child model and made his cinematic debut as a ring bearer in the 1981 romantic comedy A Little Sex. From there, Elden Henson appeared in two notable films directed by Sidney Lumet—The Verdict (1982) and Daniel (1983)—showcasing his talent during a time when most kids were still learning to read.
By the age of five, Elden Henson wasn’t just another kid on set—he was already a seasoned performer. He transitioned smoothly into television with a recurring role on CBS’s daytime soap As The World Turns. This opened doors to guest appearances on popular NBC series like Amazing Stories in 1985 and Highway to Heaven in 1987. Then came a standout role in the 1988 ABC miniseries Elvis and Me, where Elden Henson portrayed a younger version of a character later played by his real-life older brother, Erick. Talk about family ties in Hollywood!
It wasn’t long before Elden Henson landed more prominent roles. In 1989, he appeared in Turner & Hooch, the buddy-cop film starring Tom Hanks—a solid step forward in his young career. But it was his portrayal of Fulton Reed in Disney’s The Mighty Ducks (1992) that truly put Elden Henson on the map. Playing alongside his younger brother Garrette, Elden Henson brought charm and grit to the role of a hockey player who starts off as an outsider but eventually becomes the team’s tough enforcer. Remember the scene where his puck smashes the coach’s car window? That moment set the tone for his arc—from troublemaker to loyal teammate. Fans loved him, and naturally, Elden Henson returned for both sequels in 1994 and 1996, cementing his place in ‘90s pop culture.
As he grew older, Elden Henson continued to evolve as an actor. In 1998, he took on a powerful role in The Mighty, playing Max, a physically imposing but emotionally vulnerable teen opposite Kieran Culkin. Their dynamic was raw and authentic, earning praise from critics and audiences alike. Not one to shy away from genre shifts, Elden Henson then joined Culkin again in the hit teen rom-com She’s All That (1999), this time as the loyal best friend to Rachael Leigh Cook’s character. Around the same time, he showed his range in the horror-comedy Idle Hands, sharing screen time with Devon Sawa and Seth Green.
The early 2000s saw Elden Henson experimenting with edgier material. He appeared in O (2001), a modern retelling of Othello, starring Mekhi Phifer and Josh Hartnett. Then came Cheats (2002), where Elden Henson played one of four clever high schoolers trying to game the system. He also popped up in Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003), though his most significant work that year was in The Battle of Shaker Heights, a film produced through Project Greenlight. As Bart, the conflicted best friend of Shia LaBeouf’s character, Elden Henson delivered a nuanced performance that highlighted his growing depth as an actor.
Even as teen-centric films faded, Elden Henson stayed relevant. He appeared in Catherine Hardwicke’s gritty skateboarding drama Lords of Dogtown (2005), proving he could hold his own in intense, character-driven stories. Later, he joined the blockbuster Hunger Games franchise, appearing in both Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) and Part 2 (2015), bringing quiet strength to his supporting role.
But perhaps Elden Henson’s most iconic role in recent years has been Franklin “Foggy” Nelson in Netflix’s Daredevil (2015– ). As Matt Murdock’s witty, grounded law partner, Elden Henson added heart and humor to the dark superhero series. His chemistry with Charlie Cox was undeniable, and fans quickly embraced the character. He reprised the role in the crossover event The Defenders (2017), further solidifying his place in the Marvel universe.
Beyond acting, Elden Henson has explored writing and directing, working on several short films and developing original scripts. It’s clear that his passion for storytelling goes beyond the camera. Through every phase of his career—child star, teen favorite, dependable character actor—Elden Henson has remained consistent, adaptable, and always compelling to watch. And honestly, whether he’s cracking jokes as Foggy or standing tall in a hockey rink, Elden Henson continues to leave his mark, one role at a time.
When it comes to Elden Henson’s film career, one standout performance definitely comes to mind—his highest rated movie is The Mighty from 1998. Yeah, that was a solid role for Elden Henson and really showcased his talent early on. On the flip side, not every project turned out as well; Elden Henson’s lowest rated film ended up being Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, which came out in 2003. While it didn’t get great reviews, it’s still part of Elden Henson’s journey in Hollywood. So overall, when you look at Elden Henson’s work, there’s a pretty clear contrast between those two films.