With the critical success of Paul Thomas Anderson‘s One Battle After Another, one name that has stood out is Chase Infiniti. The young actress captivated audiences and critics with her striking debut performance in the action thriller. While some actors spend years trying to break into Hollywood, Infiniti co-starred alongside a few A-listers in a debut role and managed to shine.
From the origin of her name to the way she trained for the role, there are several things new and ardent fans might not know about Chase Infiniti. Her career is a masterclass on preparation meeting opportunity. The actress has built her success on a foundation of theater education, discipline, and an unmistakable sense of authenticity. For more on the actress, here are seven facts you probably didn’t know about Chase Infiniti.
1. The Origin of Chase Infiniti Names Are From Movie Characters
Although born Chase Infiniti Payne, the actress chose to use her middle name as her professional last name. Naturally, when people hear her name, many assume both names are a stage name born of flair. However, the name carries cinematic and playful roots. Although her father, Keith Irvin Payne, and mother, Kimberly Dawn Able, do not have careers in cinema, like every true movie fan, they have favorite characters and actors.
Infiniti’s first name, Chase, was inspired by Nicole Kidman’s character, Dr. Chase Meridian, in Joel Schumacher’s 1995 film Batman Forever. Meanwhile, her middle name, “Infiniti,” comes from Buzz Lightyear’s famous catchphrase, “to infinity and beyond,” in the Toy Story franchise. Over time, especially after opting for a career in cinema, Infiniti has come to embrace the poetic weight of her name as a guiding mantra for personal and creative ambition.
2. She Was Born and Raised in Indianapolis
Chase Infiniti was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 5, 2000. The actress attended North Central High School, which has, interestingly, produced a few notable names in Hollywood. Notable alumni of North Central High School include Priyanka Chopra, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Patty Guggenheim. Infiniti spent the first 18 years of her life in Indianapolis, having graduated from high school in 2018. However, when the time came for college, the actress chose Columbia College Chicago, where she studied musical theatre and graduated in 2022.
3. Chase Infiniti Was a Kickboxing Trainer Before She Became Famous
While she undoubtedly has a quiet demeanor, one of the more surprising facts about Chase Infiniti is that she worked as a kickboxing trainer in Chicago before her acting career took off. If anything, that background in physical discipline proved useful, especially as she transitioned into more demanding movie roles. For her role in One Battle After Another, Infiniti undertook months of karate training and mixed martial arts to inhabit the physicality of her character. While they’re both different arts, her kickboxing experience made the Martial arts training a lot easier.
4. Chase Infiniti Has a Dance Background, Especially in K-pop Covers
Before her acting career kick-started professionally, Chase Infiniti cultivated a presence online and in live performance through dance. While in Chicago and working as a kickboxing trainer, her best friend introduced her to K-pop. Together, they co-founded the Duple Dance Crew, a K-pop cover dance group. Even with her newfound fame, Infiniti still considers her K-pop dancing a hobby and something she’s very much interested in pursuing.
5. Chase Infiniti Made Her Acting Debut on Television
Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2025 One Battle After Another may have been Chase Infiniti’s breakout role, but it wasn’t her screen debut. Her first screen credit was on Apple TV+’s legal thriller series Presumed Innocent. On the show, Infiniti played Jaden Sabich, the daughter of Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga’s characters. The series, adapted from Scott Turow’s 1987 novel, was a critical success and renewed for a second season.
6. Chase Infiniti Developed a Passion for Musicals and Theater at an Early Age
While the breakout star may seem like an overnight success, Chase Infiniti’s trajectory involved steady, intentional steps. In Indianapolis, Infiniti was exposed to theater and performance early on, attending musicals and drawing inspiration from stage works. While at North Central High School, she actively participated in the school’s theater and music programs. She reportedly auditioned for a school musical at age 10. In high school, and as a part of the school’s choir, Infiniti won the Show Choir Nationals.
7. Chase Infiniti Sent in Self-Tapes For One Battle After Another
While filming Presumed Innocent, Chase Infiniti was already actively pursuing other roles. When she heard auditions had begun for One Battle After Another, she sent in a self-tape while still on set of the series. After callbacks, she was asked to participate in a karate class, which director Paul Thomas Anderson attended. Interestingly, Infiniti was the only beginner in the class, despite having kickboxing experience. Yet, her performance impressed Anderson; he reportedly cast her on the spot after the session. Chase Infiniti beat hundreds of young actresses to land the role, which ultimately became her breakthrough performance.
Follow Us
