Connor Tomlinson

Connor Tomlinson was born on March 17, 1999, in the Boston area. He is the oldest of four children. His father, Sam Tomlinson, is of English descent, and his mother, Lise Menard Smith, is a podcaster who previously worked at the New England Center for Children. Before the age of two, Tomlinson began exhibiting behavioral traits that concerned his mother, including echolalia, toe walking, and scripting. Although she suspected autism, obtaining appropriate medical support proved difficult, largely because Tomlinson was fully verbal and did not display challenges with eye contact. The family later relocated to Cumming, Georgia, near Atlanta, where Tomlinson was formally evaluated and diagnosed with autism at the age of five.

When Tomlinson was eight, his parents divorced—an experience he has described as initially frightening and deeply upsetting, though one he eventually learned to cope with. His mother later remarried. Tomlinson has spoken openly about the challenges of his later childhood and teenage years, including severe bullying that ultimately led to his withdrawal from school. He attended West Forsyth High School, graduating in 2018, and has described those years as the best of his life. After deciding not to pursue college, he worked as a currency clerk at Kroger.

Tomlinson gained widespread recognition after appearing on Love on the Spectrum, a Netflix reality series that follows autistic individuals as they navigate dating and relationships. He first appeared in Season 2, where his genuine personality, candid reflections on love, and memorable one-liners—such as “Love is a dagger, a pretty thing—something that enchants, but also hurts”—endeared him to audiences.

Tomlinson returned for Love on the Spectrum Season 3, which premiered in April 2025. Over the course of the season, he went on several dates and formed a meaningful romantic connection with fellow cast member Georgie Harris. Their relationship developed on-camera, culminating in a heartfelt first kiss in the season finale and shared moments that showcased both personal growth and the real-life challenges of dating while on the autism spectrum.

Tomlinson has described his experience on the show as “amazing, profound, and nerve-racking,” noting that it taught him important relationship skills, such as attentiveness, courtesy, and communication, while also highlighting areas where he continues to learn and grow.

In addition to his reality TV appearances, Tomlinson has participated in numerous podcast interviews and made a guest appearance in April 2024 in the Broadway production A Beautiful Noise, joining the cast for the finale performance of “Sweet Caroline.” He also launched a merchandise line featuring his quotes from the show; the collection sold out shortly after release, with proceeds benefiting autism awareness and related organizations.

Tomlinson expanded into acting with a role in the second season of Brilliant Minds.