Belmont Cameli Biography: Everything You Need to Know
Early Life, Family Background, and Personal Tragedy
Belmont Cameli is an American actor known for breakout roles such as Jamie Spano in Peacock’s Saved by the Bell, Eli in Netflix’s Along for the Ride, and Garrett Graham in Amazon Prime Video’s Off Campus.
Born Philip Belmont Cameli on February 28, 1998, in Naperville, Illinois, he grew up in the Midwestern suburbs of Chicago and was raised with deep respect for his Italian heritage. He was named after his paternal great-grandfather, Belmondo Cameli, who anglicized his first name to Belmont after immigrating to the United States from San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy.
During his youth, Cameli excelled as a multi-sport athlete. At his high school in Naperville, he balanced academics with a demanding athletic schedule, competing on the varsity level in football, wrestling, and volleyball. While he loved athletics, he also nurtured an early interest in the arts, occasionally participating in local middle-school musical theater productions like Footloose and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Belmont Cameli Early Life and College Journey
After high school, Cameli enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as an undergraduate business major. However, his life took an unexpected turn during his freshman year in 2016 when his father, Patrick, passed away suddenly. The devastating loss prompted Cameli to re-evaluate his goals and life trajectory.
He made the brave choice to step away from business school and pursue his true passion for performing arts. Cameli famously explained to his mother, Julie, that having a “Plan B” would simply make him fall back on safety nets rather than giving his full energy to his creative dreams. To learn more about Belmont Cameli’s early background, fans often look at how quickly he transitioned from Illinois classrooms to the creative hub of commercial production.
To finance his acting ambitions without industry connections, he began working as a commercial model in Chicago, booking campaigns for major lifestyle retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch. In 2019, he officially packed his bags and moved to Los Angeles to audition full-time.
Belmont Cameli Acting Career and Breakthrough Roles
Cameli’s screen debut came in 2018 with a brief guest spot on the hit musical drama Empire, where he was credited as “Cute Guy.” While it was a modest start, it gave him valuable set experience.
His genuine breakthrough arrived in 2020 when he landed the series regular role of Jamie Spano in Peacock’s reimagined Saved by the Bell reboot. Portraying the good-hearted, dim-witted captain of the Bayside High football team and the on-screen son of original series star Elizabeth Berkley’s Jessie Spano, Cameli appeared across 20 episodes from 2020 to 2021. He often credited his time on the Universal Studios lot as his ultimate acting school, learning comedic timing and multi-camera dynamics directly from television veterans.
Film Roles from Along for the Ride to Until Dawn
Following Saved by the Bell, Cameli transitioned smoothly into feature films. In 2022, he starred as the male lead, Eli, in Netflix’s romantic feature Along for the Ride, based on the popular young adult novel by Sarah Dessen. The role solidified his status as an effortless romantic lead.
He expanded his range by appearing in the indie comedy Most Guys Are Losers and the high-profile mob drama The Alto Knights, where he shared scenes opposite Academy Award winner Robert De Niro. During an intense unscripted monologue delivered by De Niro, Cameli demonstrated his instincts by staying completely silent in character rather than interrupting with his scripted line.
In 2025, Cameli entered the horror genre with the feature film adaptation of the acclaimed PlayStation video game Until Dawn. Filmed in Budapest, Cameli recalled that being met at the airport by a production assistant holding the shooting script marked the defining moment where he truly felt like an established working actor.
Leading Garrett Graham in Prime Video’s Off Campus
In 2026, Cameli achieved leading-man stardom upon being cast as Garrett Graham in Amazon Prime Video’s high-profile series Off Campus, adapted from the bestselling romance novels by Elle Kennedy. The first season, adapting The Deal, follows Garrett, the star captain and center of Briar University’s hockey team.
The palpable on-screen romantic tension between Cameli and his co-star Ella Bright captivated audiences globally, turning the show into a summer streaming hit. During the promotional run in June 2026, Cameli even surprised fans by joining Australian recording artist The Kid LAROI on stage for a live performance after their track was featured prominently in the series soundtrack.
Philanthropy, Personal Life, and Core Character
Despite his rapid rise in the entertainment industry, Cameli maintains a humble, grounded private lifestyle. Outside of production sets and red-carpet appearances, he enjoys quiet routines at home. He has shared that he listens to scary audio stories and camping thrillers to help him fall asleep at night. Musically, his favorite album is Trouble Will Find Me by indie rock band The National, and his favorite film is the 1993 classic A Bronx Tale. When discussing artistic role models, he frequently cites comedy legends Steve Carell and Robin Williams for their ability to blend humor with genuine vulnerability.
Belmont Cameli Philanthropy and Kidney Donation
Cameli’s character off screen is defined by an extraordinary act of selflessness:
- 2018 Living Organ Donation: On February 23, 2018, at just 19 years old, Cameli donated one of his kidneys to help a childhood friend named Brendan, who had spent six years on the transplant waiting list.
- 14-Person Transplant Chain: Because Cameli was not a direct biological match for his friend, he volunteered to enter a paired exchange network. His altruistic gift initiated a 14-person paired kidney exchange chain that successfully saved seven lives.
- Advocacy: Cameli continues to use his growing public platform to raise awareness about living organ donation, reminding fans of the critical shortage of donors across the country.
Dating History and High-Profile Relationships
Cameli keeps his romantic life relatively private, though his charm has naturally drawn media attention. Since early 2025, he has been in a relationship with talented comedy writer Raina Morris. The pair have occasionally made appearances together at industry gatherings while keeping their personal dynamic low-key.
Prior to his relationship with Morris, Cameli was briefly linked to actress Fallon Smythe after the two were photographed supporting fellow artists on a SAG-AFTRA picket line in Los Angeles in July 2023. Additionally, Cameli has clarified that his close bond with his Along for the Ride co-star Emma Pasarow is strictly a supportive, lasting platonic friendship.
Critical Reception, Filmography, and 2026 Net Worth
With a total of 11 screen credits (7 films and 4 television series) as of August 2026, Cameli has built a balanced portfolio spanning commercial hits and genre adaptations.
| Project | Year | Role | Platform / Studio | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saved by the Bell | 2020–2021 | Jamie Spano | Peacock | 88% |
| Most Guys Are Losers | 2020 | Trevor | Independent / VOD | 56% |
| Along for the Ride | 2022 | Eli | Netflix | 56% (79% Audience) |
| The Alto Knights | 2024 | Supporting | Warner Bros. | N/A |
| Until Dawn | 2025 | Abe | Sony Pictures | 52% (66% Audience) |
| Off Campus | 2026 | Garrett Graham | Amazon Prime Video | Certified Fresh |
As of 2026, Cameli’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $2 million. This wealth has been generated through television salaries, streaming residuals, and commercial modeling partnerships. With more than 600,000 followers on Instagram, his social reach continues to expand alongside his filmography. Looking forward, the actor has expressed an eagerness to break away from heartthrob archetypes to portray darker, more sinister villains in future projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the actor get his start in Hollywood?
After his father passed away during his freshman year at UIUC, Cameli left business school to pursue acting. He supported himself through commercial modeling in Chicago with brands like Abercrombie & Fitch before moving to Los Angeles in 2019. He made his television debut on Empire in 2018 before landing his breakthrough role as Jamie Spano on Peacock’s Saved by the Bell reboot in 2020.
What is his role in the Off Campus series?
Cameli plays Garrett Graham, the charismatic college hockey star and lead protagonist in Amazon Prime Video’s adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus novel series.
Did he donate a kidney in real life?
Yes. In February 2018, Cameli participated in a 14-person paired kidney exchange chain, donating his kidney to help save his childhood friend Brendan and contributing to saving seven lives overall.
Conclusion
Belmont Cameli’s Hollywood journey demonstrates a rare balance of athletic discipline, natural charisma, and genuine generosity. From his roots in Naperville to headlining global streaming franchises and saving lives off camera, his career trajectory shows remarkable maturity and versatility. As we watch him tackle new genres and expand his creative footprint in film and television, Cameli remains one of entertainment’s most grounded rising stars. For more lifestyle insights and cultural features, explore our guide on the ultimate luxury investments worth considering.
