Jake Weary: Real Name, Wife, and Animal Kingdom Role

Jake Weary might be best known for playing the tough, tattooed Deran Cody on Animal Kingdom, but his career actually started in a very different place: daytime soap operas. He made his acting debut at age 12 on Guiding Light alongside his mother, veteran actress Kim Zimmer.

Full Name: Jacob Weary · Born: February 14, 1990 · Birthplace: Trenton, New Jersey, USA · Known For: Deran Cody in Animal Kingdom · Occupation: Actor, Singer-Songwriter

Eight key facts about Weary, one pattern: each role shows a shift from lighthearted teen fare to darker, more complex characters.

What is Jake Weary’s real name?

His legal birth name is Jacob Weary. He adopted the stage name Jake Weary early in his acting career, dropping the “cob” for a shorter, more familiar variant. He was born on February 14, 1990 in Trenton, New Jersey (Wikipedia (biographical database)). His mother, Kim Zimmer, is a well-known soap opera actress who won four Daytime Emmy Awards, and his father, A. J. Weary, is a businessman.

Why does he use a stage name?

• Stage names are common in entertainment; Weary likely chose “Jake” for its accessibility and to differentiate himself from his mother’s famous surname Zimmer.
• There is no public statement from Weary explaining the change, but it follows industry norms.

Is Jacob Weary his birth name?

Yes, his birth certificate reads Jacob Weary (Wikipedia (early life)). He attended Montclair Kimberley Academy and graduated in 2008 (Wikipedia (education)).

The implication: a stage name can signal a deliberate professional rebranding, especially when a parent is already famous in the same industry.

What is Jake Weary best known for?

He is best known for portraying Deran Cody in the TNT crime drama Animal Kingdom (2016–2022). The series, based on the 2010 Australian film, follows a family of bank robbers in Southern California. Weary’s character Deran is the quiet, conflicted youngest son who runs a bar as a front (Wikipedia (Animal Kingdom)).

What role made him famous?

Deran Cody was his breakthrough. Before Animal Kingdom, Weary had mostly supporting roles in comedies and horror films. The show ran for six seasons, making Weary a recognizable face in TV drama (Apple TV (official platform)).

What is Animal Kingdom?

A TNT crime drama created by Jonathan Lisco, based on David Michôd’s 2010 film. It aired 2016–2022 and starred Ellen Barkin, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Finn Cole, and Jake Weary. The series earned strong reviews for its gritty portrayal of criminal family dynamics.

Has Jake Weary appeared in Vikings, Yellowstone, or Game of Thrones?

No. Based on his known filmography, Weary has not appeared in Vikings, Yellowstone, or Game of Thrones. His notable TV credits include The Vampire Diaries, Chicago Fire, Pretty Little Liars, and As the World Turns (IMDb (industry standard)).

Does Jake Weary wear a wig?

Deran Cody’s shaggy blond hair is a wig. In 2021, Weary and co-star Finn Cole participated in a Rotten Tomatoes video titled “Wiggin’ Out with Jake Weary & Finn Cole,” where they discussed the wigs they wore on set (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)). It’s a wig, not his natural hair.

Who is Jake Weary’s wife?

Weary married his longtime girlfriend Vera Bulder in 2019 (Wikipedia (personal section)). The couple has kept their relationship mostly out of the public eye, but the marriage is a matter of public record.

Is Jake Weary married?

Yes, to Vera Bulder since 2019. They have one child together (Wikipedia (personal section)).

Who is Riko Shibata?

Riko Shibata is the wife of actor Nicolas Cage. Some online sources confuse her with Weary’s partner, but the two are unrelated. There is no connection between Shibata and Jake Weary.

The catch: online confusion between celebrities with similar names is common, but in this case the facts are clear.

Does Jake Weary have a child?

Yes. According to Wikipedia (personal section), Weary and Vera Bulder have one child. The child’s name and birth date have not been made public.

Does he post about family?

Weary maintains a private Instagram account (@thechakeweary) with 131k followers, where he shares occasional music updates but rarely posts personal or family content.

What this means: Weary values his family’s privacy, a choice that aligns with his overall low-key public presence.

Does Jake Weary have tattoos in real life?

There is no verified public information about Jake Weary having real tattoos. Deran Cody’s character has prominent tattoos on the show, but these are likely applied temporarily for the role (Instagram (social media) — no tattoo posts).

What tattoos does he have?

No confirmed tattoos have been photographed or discussed. The “Wiggin’ Out” video suggests the cast wore wigs and prosthetic makeup, but tattoos are not mentioned. Until Weary confirms otherwise, assume any visible ink is part of costume design.

The implication: separating actor from character requires careful attention to behind-the-scenes details.

Timeline

• 1990 – Born Jacob Weary on February 14 in Trenton, New Jersey (Wikipedia (early life))
• 2002 – Acting debut at age 12 on Guiding Light (Wikipedia (career))
• 2005 – Recurring role as Luke Snyder on As the World Turns (Wikipedia (career))
• 2008 – Graduates from Montclair Kimberley Academy (Wikipedia (education))
• 2008 – Appears in Assassination of a High School President (Wikipedia (filmography))
• 2010 – Stars as Kevin in Fred: The Movie (Pretty Little Liars Wiki (fan database))
• 2014 – Supporting role in horror film It Follows (Wikipedia (filmography))
• 2014 – Recurring on Chicago Fire and Pretty Little Liars (Wikipedia (television))
• 2016 – Begins role as Deran Cody on Animal Kingdom (Wikipedia (Animal Kingdom))
• 2019 – Marries Vera Bulder (Wikipedia (personal section))
• 2022 – Animal Kingdom ends after six seasons
• 2023 – Continues music releases as The Chake Weary (Instagram (music reels))

The pattern: Weary’s career shows a deliberate pivot from child roles to adult drama, with music as a parallel creative outlet.

The takeaway: while many details remain private, the public record provides a clear picture of his career arc.

“Weary attended the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) for the conservatory BFA program for a semester and a half.”

Interview Magazine (cultural publication)

“Deran’s hair is a wig. Jake and Finn talked about it in a Rotten Tomatoes video, confirming that the blond locks are not natural.”

Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)

The pattern from these two insights: Weary balances a serious on-screen persona with an easygoing, self-deprecating off-screen personality. The CalArts detour shows he was willing to try a formal arts education, even if it didn’t stick. The wig confession shows he doesn’t take the Hollywood image too seriously.

For a deeper look into his background, including his wife and tattoos, check out Jake Wearys biography and personal life.

Frequently asked questions

Jake Weary’s path from soap opera child actor to the leader of the Cody family on Animal Kingdom shows a deliberate career arc, not a lucky break. For fans looking to follow an actor who values privacy over publicity, the takeaway is clear: enjoy the work he puts on screen and in his music, because the man behind it prefers to stay out of the spotlight. If you liked this profile, you might also explore the careers of Ryan Eggold or Sean Bean, both of whom have navigated similar transitions from early credits to leading roles.