Jacob Batalon is an American actor best known for playing Ned Leeds, Peter Parker’s best friend in the Spider-Man films.
He was born on October 9, 1996, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a Filipino family.
But people often question his baldness, since his bald look doesn’t match the look in his movies. And this is because of Jacob’s hair illness.
He developed alopecia as a child, and that’s the reason he’s bald.
The autoimmune condition caused him to lose the hair on his scalp, although it has never stopped him from building a successful acting career.
He wears a wig only when a role, such as Ned Leeds, requires him to have hair.
Jacob Batalon Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jacob Andres Batalon |
| Date of Birth | October 9, 1996 |
| Birthplace | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Filipino |
| Hair Condition | Alopecia |
| Diagnosed at | Around age 12–13 (7th grade) |
| Current Hair Status | Bald (due to alopecia) |
Why is Jacob Batalon Bald?
Image Credits: @IMDb
Jacob Batalon has lived with alopecia since he was around 8 years old.
Alopecia is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to partial or complete hair loss.
In Jacob’s case, it caused him to lose all of the hair on his scalp. Although alopecia can sometimes improve or regrow naturally, it affects everyone differently.
Some people develop only small bald patches, while others lose all of the hair on their scalp or body.
Alopecia includes several forms, such as alopecia areata (patchy hair loss), alopecia totalis (complete scalp hair loss), and alopecia universalis (loss of all body hair).
It is not contagious. You can’t catch it from someone. And people who have it are otherwise completely healthy. Jacob is a good example of that.
Hair loss can affect a person’s confidence and self-image, especially when it begins during childhood.
Jacob Batalon’s Hair in Spider-Man
Jacob Batalon wears a wig for his role as Ned Leeds in the Spider-Man movies.
These are typically lace-front wigs, hand-tied strand by strand onto a mesh base and glued along the hairline to blend with the skin.
In the films, Ned has a full head of hair, so the wig helps Jacob match the character’s appearance and look natural on screen.
The hair and makeup team carefully styles a high-quality wig, so it looks natural on camera.
Wearing wigs for movies is common in Hollywood, allowing actors to match different characters without changing their natural appearance.
In real life, Jacob is bald and only wears the wig while filming.
At interviews and public appearances, he embraces his natural appearance and has shown that alopecia has not affected his confidence or career.
Other Celebrities Who Have Alopecia
Jacob Batalon is not the only celebrity living with alopecia. Many actors and public figures have openly shared their experiences with hair loss while continuing successful careers.
Jada Pinkett Smith
Diagnosed with alopecia areata in 2018, she initially wore turbans to cover bald patches but later embraced her look and has shown hair regrowth by 2023-2026, stating she’s “going to be friends with this alopecia.”
Viola Davis
Developed alopecia areata at age 28 from stress, waking up one day with half her hair gone; she wore wigs everywhere until 2012.
When she showed her natural, closely cropped hair at the Oscars, she was learning to embrace who she is.
Anthony Carrigan
Diagnosed at age 3 with alopecia areata, losing half his scalp hair, plus eyebrows and eyelashes. He was advised to quit acting, but proved skeptics wrong by becoming an Emmy-nominated actor for Barry.
Greg Grunberg
Diagnosed with alopecia in May 2025 at age 58, he became completely bald after his October 2024 knee surgery, believing the surgery had shocked dormant alopecia into revealing itself.
He takes JAK inhibitors for treatment and said, “Millions have this, I look good, and this is my new look.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can People With Alopecia Still Have Eyebrows or Eyelashes?
Yes, some people keep partial hair growth, while others may lose all scalp, eyebrow, and eyelash hair depending on severity.
2. Did Jacob Batalon’s Weight Loss Cause His Hair Loss?
No. His hair loss began years earlier, around seventh grade, while his 100-pound weight loss became public later, in 2021.
3. Can Wigs Affect the Scalp or Skin Health?
If worn properly and cleaned regularly, wigs generally do not cause issues.
4. Can Alopecia Be Treated?
Treatment depends on the type of alopecia. Some people experience natural hair regrowth, while others may benefit from medications or other treatments.
