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Taylor Zakhar Perez

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]

Taylor Zakhar Perez
Perez in 2023
Born (1991-12-24) December 24, 1991 (age 32)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles (BA)
OccupationActor
Years active2012–present

Early life

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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.[9]

His mother is an aesthetician and he is the sixth of eight children.[10] Perez used to change tires at the family auto-body shop on weekends.[11] 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.[12] Perez started off his acting career by performing at musicals in opera houses at an early age.[13]

Career

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Kissing Booth and breakthrough (2020–2023)

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In 2020, Perez played Marco Valentin Peña in Netflix's The Kissing Booth 2, opposite Joey King.[14] For his role, he took choreography and guitar lessons.[15] It became the most-streamed film on Netflix during its opening weekend.[16] 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."[17][18] In October that year, Netflix reported that 66 million households watched the film over its first four weeks of release.[19]

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.[20] 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.[21] In 2021, Perez reprised the role of Marco Valentin Peña in The Kissing Booth 3.[22]

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.[23] 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."[24] Perez went on to star in gaming comedy film 1Up alongside Ruby Rose where he played Dustin.[25]

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

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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.[26] The film was released on August 11.[27] For the first three weeks after its release, it was the top watched film worldwide on the platform.[28][5] The Observer's 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] A sequel is in development.[30][31]

In February 2024, Perez was appointed the ambassador for that year's SAG Awards ceremony.[32][33] In March 2024, he signed with talent agency Paradigm.[34] Perez is 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.[35]

Filmography

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Films

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Year Film Role Ref
2020 The Kissing Booth 2 Marco Valentin Peña [36]
2021 The Kissing Booth 3 [37]
2022 1Up Dustin [38]
2023 Red, White & Royal Blue Alex Claremont-Diaz [39]

Television

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Year Show Role
2012 iCarly Keith[40]
2013 Suburgatory Renaldo
2014 Alpha House Trent
Awkward Hot Guy
2015 Young & Hungry Benji Rodriguez
2016 Code Black Ari Stricks[41]
12 Deadly Days Zac
Cruel Intentions Mateo De La Vega
2017 Embeds Noah Torres[42]
High Expectasians Jonathan Price
2018 Scandal Calvin
2022 Minx Shane Brody[43]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Role Result Ref
2024 Imagen Awards Best Actor Comedy (Television) Red, White & Royal Blue Nominated [44]

References

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