When Michelle Randolph walked into “Cowboy Camp” in Montana before filming 1923, she’d never been on a horse. The intensive training program prepares actors for Taylor Sheridan’s Western dramas, teaching them to ride, rope, and handle firearms convincingly. For someone who grew up playing volleyball and soccer on California beaches, the adjustment was dramatic. But that willingness to learn difficult new skills while balancing college classes defines her approach to building an acting career.
Born September 11, 1997, in Huntington Beach, California, Michelle represents a generation of actresses who build careers through modeling first, then transition into serious acting roles while maintaining education as backup. At 28 years old, she’s already appeared in multiple Taylor Sheridan productions and established herself as someone directors trust with complex, evolving characters.
Growing Up Between Northern and Southern California
Michelle was born as the middle of three children to Matt Randolph, who works in marketing, and Amy McCleary. She has an older sister, Cassie Randolph, who won Season 23 of The Bachelor in 2019, and a younger brother named Landon.
The family lived in Walnut Creek, a city in Northern California’s Napa Valley region, before relocating to Huntington Beach in Southern California when Michelle was 16 years old. This move during high school years can be challenging, but it placed her closer to Los Angeles and the entertainment industry opportunities she would eventually pursue.
Growing up, she participated in typical California sports—volleyball and soccer—rather than theater or performing arts programs. Her early interests didn’t obviously point toward acting, making her later career choice somewhat unexpected for those who knew her as an athlete.
Education While Building a Career
Michelle attended Arizona State University, where she earned a degree in Film and Media Studies, graduating with honors in May 2023. What makes this achievement notable is that she completed her degree while actively filming 1923, one of Paramount+’s most demanding productions.
“There were times I’d submit homework assignments or need to take a quiz while on set,” she told ASU’s website. “I learned to take advantage of every free moment.” According to coverage on IMDb, she managed this balance while working on location in Montana and Texas for extended filming periods.
Her favorite classes at ASU were four semesters of American Sign Language. She also took three semesters of ASL in high school, demonstrating long-term interest in the language beyond simple course requirements. This skill set her apart from typical acting students and shows her curiosity extends beyond entertainment industry skills.
Modeling Career with Wilhelmina
Before acting, Michelle signed with Wilhelmina Models in 2016, one of the industry’s most prestigious modeling agencies. She worked with brands including Forever 21, Stitch Fix, and Year of Ours, building both her portfolio and understanding of how to work on camera.
Modeling taught her comfort with cameras, how to take direction quickly, and the discipline required for professional shoots. These skills transferred directly to acting, where comfort on camera and ability to hit marks precisely makes directors’ jobs easier.
Her modeling career provided income and industry connections while she was still deciding whether to pursue acting seriously. This practical approach—building financial stability through modeling while exploring acting opportunities—shows strategic career planning rather than simply chasing dreams without backup plans.
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Transitioning to Acting
Michelle’s first acting role came in 2017 in the TV movie House of the Witch, a horror-comedy where she played Rachel. The role was small but gave her first experience with scripted dialogue, hitting marks, and working with directors rather than photographers.
She followed with roles in A Snow White Christmas (2018) and 5 Years Apart (2019), continuing to build experience in low-budget films and TV movies. These early projects didn’t bring fame but taught essential skills—learning lines, understanding camera angles, working within tight shooting schedules.
In 2021, she appeared in The Resort, an indie horror film that expanded her range. Each project taught different aspects of the craft while she was still figuring out what type of actress she wanted to become.
Breakthrough with 1923
Michelle’s career changed completely in 2022 when she was cast as Elizabeth Strafford in Taylor Sheridan’s 1923, the prequel to Yellowstone. The show stars Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, giving her opportunity to learn from legendary actors while carrying significant storyline weight herself.
Elizabeth Strafford arrives as Jack Dutton’s fiancée, a young woman raised with certain expectations who must adapt to harsh Montana frontier realities. Michelle’s portrayal captured both the character’s initial naiveté and her gradual transformation into someone capable of handling the Dutton family’s brutal world.
The role required extensive preparation beyond Cowboy Camp’s horse training. She studied period-appropriate speech patterns, mannerisms, and the historical context of 1920s Montana. Her performance earned praise for authenticity—viewers believed she belonged in that time and place rather than looking like a modern actress in costume.
Continuing with Landman
Following 1923‘s success, Taylor Sheridan cast Michelle as Ainsley Norris in his 2024 series Landman, starring Billy Bob Thornton. Ainsley is the 17-year-old daughter of an oil tycoon—smart, impulsive, and caught between family loyalty and personal desires.
“Ainsley is written as this very impulsive, unfiltered 17-year-old,” Michelle told media outlets. The character differs significantly from Elizabeth Strafford, allowing her to demonstrate range beyond period Western dramas.
Landman focuses on modern Texas oil industry drama rather than historical settings, proving Michelle’s versatility across different types of storytelling while staying within Sheridan’s creative universe.
Personal Life and Relationships
Michelle dated British actor Gregg Sulkin from 2018 to 2023, a five-year relationship that remained relatively private despite both being public figures. They attended events together including the 2019 Teen Choice Awards and Vanity Fair’s Oscar Party but kept relationship details largely off social media. They quietly separated in 2023 for reasons neither has publicly discussed.
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In late 2025, Michelle began dating actor Glen Powell, known for Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You. They were first spotted together in November 2025 at a dance hall in Austin, Texas, and have since been photographed at events and on vacation together.
Michelle has stated clearly that she prefers keeping her personal life separate from her public career. “I think, for peace of mind, those are really important for me to keep separate,” she told InStyle. “How people perceive you publicly is not who you are.”
Business Ventures and Advocacy
In 2022, Michelle and her sister Cassie launched LNDN Denim, a sustainable denim brand. The name honors their brother Landon. The company focuses on environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycled materials, reflecting Michelle’s commitment to sustainability.
She also founded House Cat, an animal rescue charity supporting organizations including Milo’s Sanctuary and Shelter Friend in Ukraine. “I think when people are searching for a pet, rescuing should be their intention,” she explained in interviews. Her passion for animal welfare extends beyond financial donations—she actively participates in rescue operations and promotes adoption over purchasing.
Physical Appearance and On-Screen Presence
Michelle stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall with an athletic build maintained through regular fitness routines. Her California-girl appearance fits naturally into both Western period dramas and modern settings, giving casting directors flexibility in how to use her.
Her on-screen presence combines approachability with strength. She can portray vulnerability in intimate scenes while also convincing audiences she can handle physically demanding situations. This balance makes her suitable for Taylor Sheridan’s female characters, who typically combine traditional femininity with toughness.
Net Worth and Income
Michelle’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $5 million, built through modeling income, acting salaries from multiple projects, and her business ventures. Her work on two Taylor Sheridan series provides steady income, though exact per-episode rates aren’t publicly disclosed.
Streaming series typically pay less than network television, but Paramount+ productions with A-list stars like Harrison Ford and Billy Bob Thornton command higher budgets, presumably benefiting supporting cast members’ salaries as well.
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