Belmont Cameli’s journey into Hollywood did not begin with a carefully planned career in entertainment. Growing up in Naperville, Illinois, he initially imagined a future in business before discovering that acting and filmmaking were what he genuinely wanted to pursue. Today, he is recognised for playing Jamie Spano in Saved by the Bell, Eli in Netflix’s Along for the Ride, and Garrett Graham in Prime Video’s Off Campus.
His growing filmography includes romantic dramas, comedy, crime stories, and supernatural horror. Along the way, he has shared the screen with Robert De Niro and worked with filmmakers such as Barry Levinson and David F. Sandberg. Yet, behind his increasing number of acting credits is a personal story shaped by family, an unexpected change in direction, and a determination to build a career around storytelling.
Cameli’s rise has become particularly interesting with the success of Off Campus, but his journey started several years before he became associated with the fictional hockey world of Briar University.
Belmont Cameli’s Early Life and Decision to Pursue Acting
Born on February 28, 1998, Belmont Cameli grew up in Naperville, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. His childhood included sports, school activities, and an early interest in performing. He participated in middle-school theatre productions, including Footloose and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, although acting was not initially the career he imagined pursuing.
After graduating from high school, Cameli enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he studied business. He had considered several professional possibilities, including architecture, marketing, and finance. However, his experience at university coincided with a deeply personal loss that changed his perspective on the future.
In a first-person essay published by Backstage Magazine in January 2021, Cameli reflected on his decision to leave a good university in pursuit of acting. He described how his father’s sudden death during his freshman year affected his outlook and contributed to his desire to pursue a career that felt meaningful to him.
His move towards acting was not an easy decision to explain to his family. In his detailed interview with Flaunt Magazine, Cameli discussed the uncertainty surrounding his decision to leave college and the importance of committing himself to a creative career.
After leaving university, he remained in Chicago and supported himself through modelling assignments. The experience introduced him to professional sets and helped him become familiar with the entertainment industry. In 2019, he eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting more seriously.
Interestingly, his final day at university left him with a humorous memory. He attended orientation wearing a sweatshirt from a friend’s clothing brand, Awful Cloth. When his student identification photograph was printed, the word on his sweatshirt appeared above the word student, creating the accidental phrase “awful student.”
It was an unusual ending to his academic experience, but it also marked the beginning of a different professional journey.
Belmont Cameli Movies and TV Shows: His Career From the Beginning
Empire (2018): An Early Television Appearance
One of Cameli’s earliest credited television appearances was in the Fox musical drama Empire. The series, starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, followed the Lyon family and the complicated relationships surrounding its influential music business.
Cameli appeared in a small role, credited as a waiter. Although it was not a leading performance, the appearance represented an early opportunity to work in a professional television production.
For an actor still finding his place in the industry, even a brief appearance could provide valuable exposure to the demands of working on a television set.
My Evil Stepdad (2019): An Early Thriller Credit
Cameli continued building his screen experience with the 2019 television thriller My Evil Stepdad, also listed in some filmography databases under the title The Husband. He played Marcus.
The Lifetime film follows a mother whose daughter becomes concerned about a new relationship after a seemingly charming man enters their family life. What initially appears to be a positive development gradually becomes a disturbing situation.
The project gave Cameli an opportunity to appear in a darker story, different from the romantic and comedic productions that would later become prominent in his career.
Most Guys Are Losers (2020): Exploring Romantic Comedy
In 2020, Cameli appeared in the romantic comedy Most Guys Are Losers, playing Trevor Cambridge.
The film centres on a young man navigating a relationship while dealing with the expectations and opinions of his girlfriend’s father. Its relationship-driven storyline offered Cameli another opportunity to explore comedy and romance.
Although it was an early film credit, the project forms part of the foundation of his acting portfolio.
Saved by the Bell (2020–2021): The Role That Changed His Career
A major turning point arrived when Cameli was cast as Jamie Spano in Peacock’s revival of Saved by the Bell.
The series revisited the familiar world of Bayside High School, introducing a new generation of students while bringing back several characters from the original sitcom.
Cameli portrayed Jamie, the son of Jessie Spano, played by Elizabeth Berkley. His character became part of the new student group and helped connect the revival with the original television series.
The opportunity was particularly meaningful because Cameli has described Saved by the Bell as his first major acting job.
In his first-person Backstage essay, he discussed the importance of finding a professional purpose and committing himself to learning the craft. His Flaunt interview also offers a closer look at his experience working on the Universal lot and learning from established performers.
He spoke positively about the original cast members, who welcomed the younger performers and shared stories about their experiences on the original show.
The revival ran for two seasons, with Cameli appearing in 20 episodes as Jamie Spano. It helped establish his identity as a television actor and introduced him to a wider audience.
Along for the Ride (2022): His Netflix Romantic Drama
Cameli took another significant step in his career with Netflix’s Along for the Ride, released on May 6, 2022.
Based on Sarah Dessen’s bestselling young-adult novel, the film follows Auden, played by Emma Pasarow, during the summer before she begins college. While staying in the seaside town of Colby, Auden meets Eli, a fellow insomniac who introduces her to experiences she previously missed.
Cameli played Eli, a reserved young man who develops a meaningful connection with Auden through their late-night adventures.
Their relationship gradually becomes an important part of the story, as both characters confront personal experiences and begin looking at life differently.
The project was especially valuable because it gave Cameli a prominent role in a Netflix original film. It also allowed him to demonstrate a different side of his acting ability after playing the more comedic Jamie Spano.
The film’s coming-of-age atmosphere, romantic storyline, and seaside setting made it a natural fit for audiences interested in young-adult adaptations. Netflix’s official media page for Along for the Ride confirms the film’s cast and adaptation details.
Based on a True Story (2023): A Move Into Comedy-Thriller Television
In 2023, Cameli appeared in Peacock’s Based on a True Story, a comedy-thriller starring Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina.
The series follows Ava and Nathan, a married couple who become fascinated by a suspected serial killer and decide to turn their interest in true crime into an unusual business opportunity.
Cameli played Mason, appearing in three episodes during the first season.
Although it was not a leading role, the series added another genre to his growing television portfolio. Its combination of suspense, dark humour, and crime-related storytelling offered a contrast to his earlier romantic projects.
The Alto Knights (2025): Working Alongside Robert De Niro
One of the most personally meaningful projects in Cameli’s career was the 2025 crime drama The Alto Knights.
Directed by Barry Levinson, the film stars Robert De Niro in dual roles as Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, two prominent figures in the American organised-crime world.
Cameli portrayed Frankie Boy, joining a production featuring several established performers.
However, the importance of the project for him went beyond simply adding another film to his résumé.
During his interview with Flaunt Magazine, Cameli revealed that he had admired Robert De Niro since childhood. He specifically mentioned A Bronx Tale, the 1993 film directed by De Niro, as his favourite movie.
Getting the opportunity to work with an actor he had admired for so long was therefore a memorable professional experience.
Cameli also discussed the influence of director Barry Levinson. He appreciated Levinson’s willingness to allow improvisation during scenes, explaining that the director encouraged performers to treat the script as a starting point rather than something that could never change.
One particular memory involved De Niro delivering an unscripted speech during a scene. Cameli initially wondered whether he should still deliver his own dialogue after the unexpected moment, but ultimately decided to listen and enjoy the experience.
It was a small behind-the-scenes incident, yet it illustrates how much he valued the opportunity to observe an experienced actor working.
Until Dawn (2025): Entering the World of Supernatural Horror
Cameli moved into a very different cinematic environment with Until Dawn, released in April 2025.
Directed by David F. Sandberg, the film is inspired by the PlayStation survival-horror video game of the same name. However, it introduces a new storyline and characters rather than simply recreating the original game’s narrative.
Cameli played Abe, joining an ensemble that included Ella Rubin, Odessa A’zion, Michael Cimino, Ji-young Yoo, Maia Mitchell, and Peter Stormare.
The story follows Clover and her friends as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of her sister. Their search takes them into a remote valley, where they become trapped in a terrifying cycle of death and repeated nights.
Each time the group dies, the night begins again, but the danger changes. Their survival depends on understanding the mysterious situation before they run out of chances.
In his Flaunt Magazine interview, Cameli described receiving the script late in the casting process. Once he learned that David F. Sandberg was directing, he travelled to Budapest to join the production.
He also remembered arriving at the airport and being greeted by a production team member carrying a folder containing the script. For him, the moment felt like the beginning of an experience he had been waiting for throughout his acting journey.
The filming process was physically demanding. The production involved practical effects, long working days, and intense horror sequences.
Cameli explained that the exhaustion he experienced during filming sometimes helped him connect with his character’s deteriorating physical condition. The cast also developed close friendships while working long hours in Budapest.
Sony Pictures’ official Until Dawn film page provides additional information about the movie, its cast, and its supernatural survival storyline.
Off Campus (2026): Becoming Garrett Graham
In 2026, Cameli entered another major phase of his career with Prime Video’s Off Campus.
Based on Elle Kennedy’s bestselling romance novels, the television adaptation centres on the relationships, friendships, and personal challenges of students at Briar University.
Cameli plays Garrett Graham, a popular college hockey player whose relationship with Hannah Wells, portrayed by Ella Bright, forms the central romance of the first season.
Garrett initially appears confident and comfortable with his position on the hockey team. Hannah, meanwhile, is a music student who has little interest in the sport. Their relationship begins through an arrangement that gradually develops into genuine affection.
The role required Cameli to prepare for something he had never done professionally before: playing hockey.
In a June 2026 GQ interview, Cameli discussed his preparation for Garrett Graham and revealed that he had never skated before taking the role. He explained the physical difficulty of learning to skate as an adult and described the intensive training required to portray a convincing college hockey player.
His preparation also involved learning how to make the character feel more than a stereotypical sportsman. In the same interview, Cameli discussed his approach to Garrett’s emotional sensitivity, empathy, and personality, explaining why he wanted to bring a more layered interpretation to the character.
The chemistry between Cameli and Bright became one of the major talking points surrounding the series. Their performances helped bring the relationship from Kennedy’s popular novel to the screen.
The show’s reception also attracted considerable media attention. In its June 2026 profile of Cameli, British GQ examined the actor’s interpretation of Garrett and the audience response to a male romantic lead who combines confidence with emotional openness.
Another interesting behind-the-scenes perspective appeared in Allure’s July 2026 interview, in which Cameli discussed his experience on the set, his appearance, and the small details that helped shape the production’s atmosphere.
The series has also been renewed for a second season. According to Amazon’s official November 5, 2026 announcement, the next season will premiere on April 28, 2027, with its central romantic storyline shifting to Allie Hayes and Dean Di Laurentis.
Cameli is among the returning cast members, meaning Garrett and Hannah’s story will continue beyond the first season.
Belmont Cameli’s Upcoming Movies and TV Shows
Hollow: Playing Brom Bones Alongside Sydney Sweeney
One of Cameli’s announced upcoming projects is Hollow, a Sony Pictures production featuring Sydney Sweeney.
According to TheWrap’s September 24, 2026 casting report, Cameli has been cast as Brom Bones, a character associated with Washington Irving’s classic story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Sweeney is set to play Katrina Van Tassel, while the film is being written and directed by Lindsey Anderson Beer.
The project reimagines the familiar story from Katrina’s perspective, placing her at the centre of a supernatural mystery involving Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones.
The casting is another interesting development for Cameli because it brings together his growing recognition from Off Campus with a new supernatural film project.
What Does Belmont Cameli Want to Do Next?
While romantic roles have helped introduce Cameli to a wider audience, he has expressed interest in taking on more complicated characters.
In his Flaunt interview, he discussed how his early projects involved comedy and romance before he began exploring more serious productions.
He has also spoken about wanting to play a villain, suggesting that he would welcome opportunities to move beyond the approachable characters audiences have come to associate with him.
His experience in The Alto Knights and Until Dawn has already given him opportunities to explore different storytelling styles. Meanwhile, Off Campus has demonstrated that he can lead a romantic series and connect with audiences through a character who has both confidence and emotional vulnerability.
Another consistent theme in his interviews is the importance of family. Cameli has spoken about his late father as an important influence on his determination and his decision to pursue a creative career.
That enthusiasm provides an interesting perspective on his career. His journey has not simply been about moving from one production to another, but about finding a profession that gives him a sense of purpose.
Final Thoughts
Belmont Cameli’s movies and television appearances reveal a career that has developed through several different genres and opportunities. His early appearance in Empire led to roles in independent and television films, while Saved by the Bell provided the first major platform for his acting career.
His performance in Along for the Ride introduced him to Netflix audiences, and his appearances in The Alto Knights and Until Dawn allowed him to explore more demanding cinematic roles.
With Off Campus, Cameli has reached another important stage, taking on a leading romantic character whose story originates in a bestselling book series. His upcoming appearance in Hollow also suggests that he is continuing to explore projects beyond one particular genre.
For an actor who once left business school without a conventional career plan, his progress offers an interesting example of what can happen when personal conviction meets professional opportunity. As his filmography continues to grow, the next question is not simply which project he will appear in, but what kind of character he will choose to explore next.
More Entertainment Stories to Explore
Belmont Cameli’s growing presence in film and television reflects the appeal of actors who are steadily building their careers through diverse roles and new opportunities. Readers interested in exploring more entertainment personalities can also discover Jonathan Jackson’s movies and TV shows, which highlights his work across television and film and his journey as an established performer. For a look beyond the entertainment industry, Miss USA 2026 winner Justus Kelley offers another interesting story, exploring the woman behind the crown and her achievement in the pageant world.
