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Taylor Lautner: The Twilight Saga‘s Wolf Pack Leader

Full Name Taylor Daniel Lautner
Birthday February 11, 1992
Birth Place Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Height 5‘9"
Net Worth $40 million (estimated)
Social Media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Early Life and Career

Taylor Daniel Lautner was born on February 11, 1992 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With mixed Dutch, French, German and Native American ancestry, Lautner became interested in martial arts at a young age. He began studying karate at 6 years old and within a year began winning tournaments. By age 8, he had earned his black belt.

Lautner‘s martial arts skills led him to be introduced to acting. In 2001 at age 9, he landed his first film role in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D. A few small acting roles followed, including parts on the TV series Summerland and the film Cheaper by the Dozen 2.

His big break came in 2008 when 16-year-old Lautner was cast as Jacob Black in the first Twilight film, based on Stephenie Meyer‘s popular vampire romance novels. To physically match the description of the muscular Jacob, Lautner underwent extensive training and diet changes, gaining over 30 pounds of muscle. His dedication paid off, launching him into stardom as the Twilight saga became a cultural phenomenon.

The Twilight Saga and Rise to Fame

Lautner continued his role as Jacob in the following Twilight films – New Moon in 2009 and Eclipse in 2010. As Jacob competes with vampire Edward Cullen for Bella Swan‘s affections, Lautner became a teen heartthrob. His impressive physical transformation captured fans‘ attention, and his character‘s brooding charm and humorous personality made Jacob a fan favorite.

The worldwide success of the Twilight saga propelled Lautner to new levels of fame. Suddenly a household name, the actor booked a string of high profile roles during and after the series like Valentine‘s Day (2010), Abduction (2011), and Grown Ups 2 (2013). He also guest hosted Saturday Night Live in 2009 at age 17, making him one of the youngest hosts in the show‘s history.

Life After Twilight

Once the last Twilight film Breaking Dawn Part 2 released in 2012, Lautner continued to work steadily in Hollywood. He took on more mature roles, starring in the 2016 thriller Run the Tide and the 2018 Netflix film The Ridiculous 6. Lautner also ventured into comedy, joining the cast of BBC3‘s sitcom Cuckoo in 2014.

While Lautner hasn‘t yet replicated the meteoric success of Twilight, he has remained focused on acting. In 2019, he returned to the film that started it all, voicing the lead role of Sharkboy in the 3D animated remake We Can Be Heroes.

Outside of acting, Lautner has served as a spokesperson for Rugged Wearhouse clothing and Boost Mobile. Known to be down-to-earth despite his fame, he enjoys spending time with family and close friends. Lautner also remains dedicated to health and fitness, often sharing his workout routines on social media.

Personal Life and Fun Facts

Lautner tends to keep his personal life private, not frequently speaking about relationships or dating publicly. However, he briefly dated singer Taylor Swift in late 2009, which inspired several of her breakup songs like "Back to December."

The actor has an estimated net worth of $40 million. While acting is his primary source of income, he also earns from endorsement deals and other business ventures.

Beyond his career, here are 5 fun facts about Taylor Lautner:

1. Martial Arts Expert

Lautner began learning karate at 6 and had his black belt by 8. He continued to train and compete, winning several junior national championships.

2. Competitive Swimmer

Before becoming an actor, Lautner was a successful junior swimmer. He won a number of medals and might have pursued it professionally.

3. Holds World Record

In 2010, Lautner set a Guinness World Record for most abdominal crunches in one minute – an impressive 309!

4. Early Fame Start

Lautner got his first film role at just 9 years old, portraying Young Max in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D.

5. Voiced Animated Characters

He has done voice work for animated films like What‘s New, Scooby-Doo? and Open Season 2.

Continued Success Ahead

Taylor Lautner remains one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood thanks to his breakout role in Twilight. His perseverance, work ethic, and martial arts skills have already brought him significant success at a young age. Now approaching his 30s, Lautner has many promising years ahead as he continues showcasing his versatility as an actor.