Lucas Jade Zumann was raised in a Jewish family and attended Hebrew school. He went to Waters Elementary School, then transferred to the Chicago Waldorf School in fifth grade, where he studied until eighth grade before returning for his senior year.

Zumann was discovered by Paskal Rudnicke during a Disney talent search casting call in Chicago. His first foray into acting was as an ensemble member in the musical "Oliver!" at the Music Theater Works (formerly Light Opera Works) in his hometown. He later had a small role in the Netflix series Sense8, playing a punk.