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Kyle Chandler has garnered significant acclaim for his role as Eric Taylor in Friday Night Lights, but it is his daughter, Sydney Chandler, who is now making a name for herself in the entertainment industry. After portraying the character Violet in Olivia Wilde‘s popular thriller film Don’t Worry Darling, Sydney landed a role as Wendy in the FX prequel series Alien: Earth, solidifying her emerging status as a talented actress.

Let’s delve into some fascinating insights about Sydney and her burgeoning career in acting.

Discover Sydney Chandler: Kyle Chandler’s Firstborn Child

Sydney is the firstborn daughter of Kyle and his wife, Kathryn Macquarrie, who have been happily married for over 25 years. She has a younger sister named Sawyer. The Chandler family resides just outside of Austin, Texas, but they frequently travel to Los Angeles, connecting with the Hollywood scene due to both Kyle’s and Sydney’s growing careers in the film industry.

Unveiling Sydney’s Role as Violet in ‘Don’t Worry Darling’

In Don’t Worry Darling, Sydney portrays Violet, a housewife and close friend of Alice Chambers, played by Florence Pugh. The story unfolds in Victory, California, where their husbands are involved in a mysterious project known as the “Victory Project,” which raises suspicions for Alice. In an interview with WWD, Sydney shared her connection to Violet, drawing parallels between her own experiences as a newcomer in Hollywood.

“As Sydney, I was very new to this world, and I quickly resonated with my character, soaking up the atmosphere on set and learning how everything operates,” she explained. “This genuine experience translated seamlessly into my portrayal of Violet.”

Additionally, Sydney played a key role in the FX on Hulu miniseries Pistols, which chronicles the rise to fame of the legendary Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. In this series, she portrays Chrissie Hynde, the founding member of the Pretenders, who had a unique connection with Steve Jones and his bandmate Johnny Rotten as she nearly married them for a work permit.

Why Sydney Initially Shied Away from Acting

In her interview with WWD, Sydney reflected on her initial reluctance to pursue acting, stating, “Growing up with an actor dad, I always wanted to carve out my own path and not follow in his footsteps. Initially, I aspired to be a veterinarian, but as my final year of high school approached, my struggles with math and science made me reconsider. I shifted my focus to creative writing and eventually took an acting class in Austin to explore character studies. To my surprise, I fell head over heels in love with acting. My acting coach encouraged me to stay in class if I began auditioning, and that’s how my journey began.”

How Sydney Receives Guidance from Her Famous Dad

Kyle, known for his roles in acclaimed films such as Manchester by the Sea, The Wolf of Wall Street, and First Man, has been a pillar of support for his daughter as she navigates her own acting career.

“He has been incredibly supportive throughout my journey. We’ve had some deep conversations about my desire to forge my own path in this industry,” Sydney shared with WWD. “He’s been a constant source of encouragement, and as my dad, he’s always there for me,” she added.

Explore Sydney’s Role in the Exciting ‘Alien: Earth’ Series

Currently, Sydney stars as Wendy in the FX series Alien: Earth, a gripping prequel to the iconic sci-fi film franchise Alien. In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly in May 2025, she expressed her enthusiasm for her character, stating that Wendy is her “favorite character that [she’s] ever been able to play.”