Taylor Zakhar Perez Explained

Taylor Zakhar Perez
Birth Date:24 December 1991
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Years Active:2012–present
Alma Mater:University of California, Los Angeles (BA)
Occupation:Actor

Taylor Zakhar Perez (born December 24, 1991)[1] is an American actor.[2] He began his career by appearing in several series, before his breakthrough role in the romantic comedy films The Kissing Booth 2 (2020) and The Kissing Booth 3 (2021).[3] Perez had a supporting role in the sex comedy series Minx (2022) and a starring role in the romantic comedy film Red, White & Royal Blue (2023).[4] [5]

Early life

Perez was born in Chicago on December 24, 1991, and grew up in Chesterton, Indiana.[6] He attended Chesterton High School and he has been a national level swimmer.[7] Perez has a diverse ancestry, ranging from Mexican and Middle Eastern to Mediterranean.[8] He is partially Croatian through his mother and partially Hungarian through his father.

His mother is an aesthetician and he is the sixth of total eight children.[9] Perez used to change tires at the family auto-body shop on weekends.[10] When he received a swimming scholarship to Fordham University, he turned it down to attend UCLA, where he majored in Spanish culture and community and minored in film and television.[11] Perez started off his acting career by performing at musicals in opera houses at an early age.[12]

Career

Kissing Booth and rise to popularity (2020–2023)

In 2020, Perez played Marco Valentin Peña in Netflix's The Kissing Booth 2, opposite Joey King.[13] For his role, he took choreography and guitar lessons.[14] It became the most-streamed film on Netflix during its opening weekend.[15] The series was the second most streamed during its second weekend, with Forbes noting it as "one of the most popular movies ever on the platform."[16] [17] In October that year, Netflix reported that 66 million households watched the film over its first four weeks of release.[18]

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Perez partnered with Variant Malibu, a 3D tech company to make face masks. They cut 90% of traditional manufacturing waste.[19] He also designed masks with The Kissing Booth 2 co-stars Joel Courtney, Joey King, Meganne Young and Maisie Richardson-Sellers. The proceeds went to a Chicago organisation that helps disabled kids, adults and families with disabled kids in the Hispanic community.[20] In 2021, Perez reprised the role of Marco Valentin Peña in The Kissing Booth 3.[21]

In 2022, Perez starred in HBO Max's comedy series Minx as Shane Brody, a firefighter who becomes the frontrunner for debut-issue cover star of the first erotic magazine for women in Los Angeles.[22] Talking about the challenges he faced playing the character, Perez said, "The biggest thing was grounding him, making him likable, and also playing against the line."[23] Perez went on to star in gaming comedy film 1Up alongside Ruby Rose where he played Dustin.[24]

Red, White & Royal Blue and beyond (2023–present)

In 2023, Perez starred in Amazon Prime Video's Red, White & Royal Blue as Alex Claremont-Diaz, the first son of the United States, opposite Nicholas Galitzine.[25] The film was released on August 11.[26] For the first three weeks after its release, it was the top watched film worldwide on the platform and provoked what Prime Video described as "a huge surge" of new subscribers.[27] [28]

The Observers Wendy Ide praised the charisma of Perez and Galitzine and credited it for the film's appeal: "It turns out that watching two impossibly beautiful boys making cow eyes at each other might be just the escapist pulp we need right now."[29] In February 2024, Perez was appointed the ambassador for that year's SAG Awards ceremony.[30] [31] In March 2024, he signed with talent agency Paradigm.[32] The cast and filmmakers of Red, White & Royal Blue announced that a sequel is in development with Perez and Galitzine set to return for the film on May 9, 2024, at a Q&A session after a screening.[33] [34]

In June 2024, Perez starred on with Joey King.[35] Perez is also very passionate about sustainability, making a change in the world, and supporting his Latin community. Over the years, he has gone on supply chain trips to an Australian nonprofit organization that is the global authority on natural, renewable and biodegradable wool fiber.[36]

Filmography

Films

Year Film Role Ref
2020The Kissing Booth 2Marco Valentin Peña[37]
2021The Kissing Booth 3[38]
20221UpDustin
2023Red, White & Royal BlueAlex Claremont-Diaz[39]

Television

Year Show Role Ref
2012iCarlyKeith[40]
2013SuburgatoryRenaldo
2014Alpha HouseTrent
Awkward
2015Young & HungryBenji Rodriguez
2016Code BlackAri Stricks[41]
12 Deadly DaysZac
Cruel IntentionsMateo De La Vega
2017EmbedsNoah Torres[42]
High ExpectasiansJonathan Price
2018ScandalCalvin
2022MinxShane Brody[43]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 9 fun facts about "The Kissing Booth 2" heartthrob Taylor Zakhar Perez who brought Marco to life. Seventeen. 29 July 2020 . en-US.
  2. Web site: 11 August 2021. Taylor Zakhar Perez broke out in The Kissing Booth. Now he plans for life after rom-com stardom. WWD. en-US.
  3. Web site: 29 July 2020. Who is Taylor Zakhar Perez? Meet the actor who plays Marco in The Kissing Booth 2. Elle. en-US.
  4. Web site: Campione . Katie . 2023-08-16 . Red, White & Royal Blue Becomes Prime Video's No. 1 Movie Globally In Premiere Weekend . 2023-08-17 . Deadline Hollywood.
  5. Web site: 'Red, White & Royal Blue' Is No. 1 Worldwide on Prime Video, Sparks 'Huge Surge' of New Subscribers. 17 August 2023. People.
  6. Web site: 7 August 2020. Taylor Zakhar Perez: Everything you need to know about 'Kissing Booth 2' star. Entertainment Tonight. en-US.
  7. Web site: 15 minutes with Chicago-area native Taylor Zakhar Perez of Netflix's 'The Kissing Booth 2' . Chicago Tribune. 3 August 2020 .
  8. Web site: 7 June 2021. Taylor Zakhar Perez is a star for the streaming age . Sharp Magazine . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2 February 2021. The Kissing Booth 2's Taylor Zakhar Perez shares the skin-care lesson he learned the hard way. Popsugar. en-US.
  10. Web site: 14 June 2023. Meet the Hot Boys of the Steamy 'Red, White & Royal Blue' Movie . GQ . en-US.
  11. Web site: Here's everything we know about The Kissing Booth 3 actor Taylor Zakhar Perez. Buzzfeed. 20 August 2021. en.
  12. News: 24 July 2020. The 'Kissing Booth' star Taylor Zakhar Perez on Cats, Selena and greased abs. en-US. The New York Times.
  13. Web site: 30 May 2019. Netflix's The Kissing Booth 2 sets Maisie Richardson-Sellers & Taylor Perez in key roles. Deadline. en-US.
  14. Web site: Prepare to fall in love with Kissing Booth 2 star Taylor Zakhar Perez. Glamour. 23 July 2020. en-US.
  15. Web site: 'The Rental' Is Second Film Ever to Be #1 on Both Theatrical and VOD Charts at Same Time . Brueggemann . Tom . IndieWire. July 27, 2020. July 27, 2020.
  16. Web site: 'The Secret: Dare to Dream' Soars on PVOD as 'The Rental' and 'The Outpost' Hold Strong . Brueggemann . Tom . IndieWire. August 3, 2020. August 5, 2020.
  17. Web site: 'The Kissing Booth 2' Is Close To Becoming The Second Movie On Netflix To Achieve This Incredible Milestone . Forbes. Travis. Bean. July 29, 2020. August 1, 2020.
  18. Web site: 'The Old Guard' Viewed By 78 Million Households in First Four Weeks, Says Netflix . Low . Elaine . Variety . October 20, 2020. October 20, 2020.
  19. Web site: 3 August 2020. The Kissing Booth 2 star Taylor Zakhar Perez on having to lie about a third movie . Variety . en-US.
  20. Web site: Taylor Zakhar Perez is doing it all . Vman. 9 August 2021 .
  21. Web site: 12 August 2021. Kissing Booth 3 star Taylor Zakhar Perez talks end of Netflix franchise: There will be some heartbreak. Variety.
  22. Web site: N'Duka. Amanda. WME & Anonymous Content sign 'Kissing Booth 2' breakout star Taylor Zakhar Perez. Deadline Hollywood. February 9, 2021. February 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220226091140/https://deadline.com/2021/02/wme-anonymous-content-sign-kissing-booth-2-taylor-zakhar-perez-1234690305/. live.
  23. Schonberger. Rachel. Kissing Booth actor Taylor Zakhar Perez on baring it all in HBO Max's 'scandalous' Minx. Entertainment Weekly. February 25, 2022. February 25, 2022. February 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220225231054/https://ew.com/tv/taylor-zakhar-perez-minx-cover/. live.
  24. Web site: 27 January 2021. Ruby Rose replaces Elliot Page in '1Up'. Hollywood Reporter. en.
  25. Web site: June 2022. Amazon's gay rom-com 'Red, White & Royal Blue' finds leads in Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine . Variety.
  26. Franklin . McKinley . 'Red, White & Royal Blue' Trailer: Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine Heat Up the Palace in Gay Royal Romance . Variety . July 6, 2023 . August 5, 2023.
  27. Web site: Campione . Katie . 2023-08-16 . Red, White & Royal Blue Becomes Prime Video's No. 1 Movie Globally In Premiere Weekend . 2023-08-17 . Deadline Hollywood.
  28. Web site: 'Red, White & Royal Blue' Is No. 1 Worldwide on Prime Video, Sparks 'Huge Surge' of New Subscribers. 17 August 2023. People.
  29. Web site: Red, White & Royal Blue review – enemies become lovers in super-slick queer romance . . Wendy . Ide . 2023-08-13 . 2023-08-25.
  30. Web site: 2024-02-24 . All you need to know about the 2024 SAG Ambassador Taylor Zahkar Perez . 2024-02-25 . HELLO! . en.
  31. Web site: Ted Lasso's Phil Dunster and Red, White & Royal Blue Star Taylor Zakhar Perez Named SAG Ambassadors for 2024 (Exclusive) . 2024-02-25 . People . en.
  32. Web site: Grobar. Matt. Paradigm Signs 'Red, White & Royal Blue' Breakout Taylor Zakhar Perez. Deadline Hollywood. March 26, 2024. May 17, 2024.
  33. Web site: 'Red, White & Royal Blue' Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning . . 2024-05-09 . 2024-05-09 . Adam B. . Vary.
  34. Web site: Nicholas Galitzine & Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning For 'Red, White & Royal Blue' Sequel . May 9, 2024 . Grobar . Matt . . May 9, 2024.
  35. Web site: Jackson . Angelique . 2024-06-10 . Joey King & Taylor Zakhar Perez — Actors on Actors (Full Conversation) . 2024-07-27 . Variety . en-US.
  36. Web site: Conway . Jeff . Taylor Zakhar Perez Talks Sustainability And Latin Representation In Hollywood . 2024-07-27 . Forbes . en.
  37. Web site: The Kissing Booth 2 star Taylor Zakhar Perez on Marco, Jacob Elordi, and more. Teen Vogue. 24 July 2020. en-US.
  38. Web site: 17 August 2021. We got 'The Kissing Booth 3' star Taylor Zakhar Perez to tell us all about what's in his drawers. Cosmopolitan. en-US.
  39. Web site: June 2022. Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine to topline Amazon rom-com 'Red, White & Royal Blue' from director Matthew López . Deadline.
  40. Web site: 22 July 2020. Try to get through these photos of Taylor Zakhar Perez without drooling — just try!. Popsugar. en-US.
  41. Web site: 24 July 2020. Meet Taylor Zakhar Perez: Marco from The Kissing Booth 2. New York Post.
  42. Web site: 28 July 2020. Recognize Taylor Zakhar Perez? He's been in more than just the Kissing Booth trilogy. Popsugar. en-US.
  43. Web site: Taylor Zakhar Perez is 'excited' to strip down for new HBO Max role. E! News. 26 February 2022 .
  44. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . 2024-07-25 . ‘Acapulco’ & ‘A Million Miles Away’ Lead Field As Streamers Dominate 2024 Imagen Awards Nominations . 2024-07-27 . Deadline . en-US.

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