Dacre Montgomery: Billy Hargrove’s Career & Hollywood Exit

Fans of Stranger Things remember Billy Hargrove as the character you loved to hate — and then couldn’t stop thinking about. But after that dramatic death in season 3, the actor behind the role, Dacre Montgomery, largely disappeared from Hollywood’s spotlight. Here’s what we actually know about his career pause, his relationship, and why the “cancelled” rumor doesn’t hold up.

Full name: Dacre Kayd Montgomery-Harvey ·
Born: 22 November 1994 (age 29) ·
Place of birth: Perth, Western Australia ·
Notable roles: Billy Hargrove (Stranger Things), Jason (Power Rangers) ·
Instagram followers: 4.8 million (as of 2025) ·
Relationship status: In a relationship with Liv Pollock

Six key facts about Dacre Montgomery, drawn from verified sources and the actor’s own public statements. The table below summarizes the basics.

The implication: Montgomery maintains professional continuity despite the public perception of a disappearance.

What happened with Dacre Montgomery?

Dacre Montgomery’s post-Stranger Things career

After Billy Hargrove’s death in season 3, Montgomery didn’t immediately line up the next blockbuster. Instead, he told People that he “stepped away from acting for about five years” to reassess his career and protect his anonymity. The decision was deliberate: he wanted roles that challenged him more.

His return in 2025 came with the indie film Went Up the Hill, which opened in theaters August 15, 2025. The project marks a clear shift toward smaller, more artistic work.

The pattern: Montgomery opted for creative depth over Hollywood velocity.

Rumors of leaving Hollywood

Headlines declaring “Dacre Montgomery left Hollywood” swept entertainment news in 2025. The framing, however, is a shorthand. In interviews with E! News, Montgomery said social media “had erased the old mystery around movie stars” — a major reason he stepped back. Deadline reported he took a hiatus to “reverse engineer” his career, calling it a personal reset, not a retirement.

Is Dacre Montgomery in a relationship?

Dacre Montgomery and Liv Pollock relationship timeline

Montgomery has been dating Liv Pollock since 2018. E! News and People both confirm the relationship, though the couple has kept details private. There’s no public indication of an engagement or marriage. Pollock, a makeup artist, occasionally appears on Montgomery’s Instagram.

The implication: while Montgomery’s personal life draws curiosity, he maintains a low-key relationship outside the Hollywood gossip machine.

Why was Dacre Montgomery cancelled?

Origin of the cancellation rumor

The “cancelled” label appears to stem from online speculation — not from any verified scandal or public controversy. The New York Post covered the actor’s career break without citing any canceled projects or revoked opportunities. No reputable outlet has reported a cancellation event.

Montgomery’s response or silence

Montgomery has not directly addressed the “cancelled” rumor. Instead, his actions speak louder: he has continued to book roles, with Deadline listing upcoming work including The Engagement Party as his directorial debut. The pattern contradicts any narrative of cancellation.

What this means: the rumor has more to do with audience assumptions than with Montgomery’s actual professional standing.

Which Stranger Things actor quit?

Actor departures from Stranger Things

Billy Hargrove died in season 3, so Montgomery’s departure was written into the story. Variety confirmed he will not return for season 5. No other cast member has publicly quit due to controversy; departures have been narrative-driven.

Billy Hargrove’s character death

Montgomery’s character was killed by the Mind Flayer in the season 3 finale. The actor has spoken warmly about the role, and the show’s creators have said Billy’s arc was always designed to be a closed story.

The catch: Montgomery’s exit was a narrative endpoint, not an actor-driven departure.

Who in Stranger Things is LGBTQ?

Will Byers’ coming out

In season 4, Will Byers is revealed to be gay. Noah Schnapp confirmed in a Variety interview that Will is gay and that his feelings for his best friend Mike are romantic. The coming-out scene was praised for its subtlety and emotional depth.

Noah Schnapp on Will’s sexuality

The actor, who has played Will since the first season, has spoken about the importance of representation. “It’s something that means a lot to me and to the fans,” Schnapp told Variety. The character’s sexuality is now established canon, and the show has not introduced other LGBTQ characters among the main cast.

Timeline: Dacre Montgomery’s career journey

• 2017 – Feature debut in A Few Less Men (AACTA Festival)
• 2017 – Plays Jason in Power Rangers (IMDb)
• 2017–2022 – Portrays Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things seasons 2–4 (People)
• 2025 – Returns in indie film Went Up the Hill (Deadline)
• 2026 – Directorial debut The Engagement Party (AACTA Festival)

The pattern: Montgomery’s career arc shows a deliberate move away from franchise work toward independent filmmaking.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

In his own words

“I stepped away from acting for about five years to reassess my career and protect my anonymity after Stranger Things.”

— Dacre Montgomery, as told to People

“Social media has erased the old mystery around movie stars. That’s a major reason I stepped back.”

— Dacre Montgomery, quoted in E! News

“Will is gay and he loves his best friend. It’s something that means a lot to me and to the fans.”

— Noah Schnapp, in an interview with Variety

Summary: A career reset, not a goodbye

Dacre Montgomery never faded away — he chose a different pace. After the intensity of Stranger Things, he paused to protect his craft and his privacy. His 2025 return with indie films and a directorial debut signals a deliberate shift toward artistic control. For Australian audiences and industry observers, the implication is clear: Montgomery is betting on substance over stardom, and the next chapter is already being written.

Related reading: Ty Burrell: Alive, Well, and Why He Left Hollywood · Hayden Christensen Biography: Career, Net Worth & Life

For a deeper look at his unexpected departure from the spotlight, explore this detailed analysis of his post-Stranger Things career.

Frequently asked questions