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Taylor Lautner
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Lautner at SDCC 2016
Biographical Information
Date of Birth: February 11, 1992 (age 25)
Origin: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Years active: 2001-present
Date of Death -
Show Information
Character(s): Dr. Cassidy Cascade
Season(s): Season Two
Show Status: Inactive
For me to able to work with someone as amazing and talented as Ryan and join a cast that's incredibly talented, I was like why not? Of course!
—Taylor Lautner on joining the Season Two cast

Taylor Daniel Lautner is an American actor, model and martial artist. Lautner is best known for playing Jacob Black in The Twilight Saga film series based on the novels of the same name by Stephenie Meyer.

He starred as Dr. Cassidy Cascade on Season Two of Scream Queens.

Early life[]

Lautner was born on February 11, 1992, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Deborah and Daniel Lautner. His mother works for a software development company, while his father is a Midwest Airlines pilot. He has one younger sister named Makena. Raised as a Roman Catholic, Lautner has Austrian, English, German, Swiss-German, French, Irish, and Dutch heritage, and has stated that he has "distant" Native American ancestry (specifically Ottawa and Potawatomi), through his mother. Taylor grew up in Hudsonville, Michigan, a town near Grand Rapids.[9] Lautner stated that when he was younger he was bullied in school because he was an actor. He commented, "I just had to tell myself I can't let this get to me. This is what I love to do. And I'm going to continue doing it."

He took his first karate class at the age of six. A year later, he attended the national karate tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, where he met Michael Chaturantabut, the founder of Xtreme Martial Arts. Chaturantabut invited Lautner to a camp he held at University of California, Los Angeles. Lautner trained with Chaturantabut for several years, earning his black belt by the age of eight, and winning several junior world championships. He appeared in an ISKA karate event televised on ESPN in 2003 that was later lampooned on the sports-comedy show Cheap Seats that first aired in 2006.

In junior high, Lautner—who was involved in karate, baseball and hip-hop dance—won the award for "Best Smile" and played in the school's Turkey Bowl American Football game. He went to public school in Valencia, California at Valencia High School until his sophomore year.

Chaturantabut, who once portrayed the Blue Ranger in Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, suggested to Lautner that he take up acting. For a few years, the Lautners flew from Michigan to Los Angeles for auditions when his talent agency called, and returned to Grand Rapids for school sometimes the same day. Lautner balanced karate and acting with being on the football and baseball teams at his school, and taking up jazz and hip-hop dance. After that became tiring, Lautner and his family decided to move to California for a month, to try it out, before moving to Santa Clarita, California, permanently in 2002.

Career[]

2001–07: Career beginnings[]

In his first months after moving to Los Angeles, Lautner appeared in small television roles, small film roles, and ads and commercials. In 2001, Lautner first appeared in the made-for-television film, Shadow Fury. He then got a voice-over job in a commercial for Rugrats Go Wild. He then appeared in small television roles on The Bernie Mac Show, My Wife and Kids, and Summerland. Lautner then earned voice-over roles in animated series such as Danny Phantom, Duck Dodgers, and What's New, Scooby-Doo?. The same year, he earned his first breakout role, starring in the film, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D. Lautner spent three months on location in Austin, Texas, to film the movie, which was received with negative reviews from critics, and was a minor international success. However, Lautner was nominated at the 2006 Young Artist Awards for Best Performance in a Feature Film by a Leading Actor. For the film, Lautner choreographed all of his fight scenes after director Robert Rodríguez learned of his extensive martial arts training. Months later, he played Eliot Murtaugh in Cheaper by the Dozen 2, which was panned by critics, being named one of the "Worst Films of the 2000s" by Rotten Tomatoes. After returning from Canada filming the latter movie, Lautner said he realized his newfound fame, from Sharkboy and Lavagirl. In 2008 he appeared in the show Love Inc. and the TV special He's a Bully, Charlie Brown. Two years later, Lautner appeared in a lead role in the short-lived NBC drama, My Own Worst Enemy, portraying Christian Slater's son, Jack Spivey. Rolling Stone coined his early roles as either "the popular kid, jock, or bully."

2008–09: Breakthrough and The Twilight Series[]

In 2007, filmmakers began a search for actors to portray Jacob Black, a Native American friend of lead character Bella Swan in Twilight, the first film in the The Twilight Saga film series. In January 2008, an open casting call was held in Portland, Oregon. Lautner had not heard of the Twilight series before, but was urged by his agent to audition. At his audition, he read lines with Kristen Stewart, who had already been cast as Bella, and they acted out scenes from The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. The film was a commercial success, earning $69 million its opening weekend, and has grossed $392 million worldwide. It received mixed reviews from critics, having a "Rotten" rating with a weighted average of 5.5/10. In describing the critical consensus, it stated: "Having lost much of its bite transitioning to the big screen, Twilight will please its devoted fans, but do little for the uninitiated." On Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 reviews from film critics, it has an average score of 56 from the 37 reviews. At the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, Lautner was nominated for Male Breakthrough Performance, which was won by co-star Robert Pattinson.

Initially, director Chris Weitz wanted to recast the role of Jacob Black for Twilight's sequel, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, due to the major physical changes that occur in Black between the two novels, and have an actor that would accurately portray "the new, larger Jacob Black." Black's role in the novel also increases significantly, with him falling in love with Bella and becoming a werewolf, putting the actor in a starring role. Representatives for Weitz had stated that they were make a full effort to recast the "high-profile gig," and MTV News confirmed that Weitz was looking at Michael Copon to take on the role; however, Summit Entertainment said a decision had not been made. In an attempt to keep the role, Lautner weight-trained extensively and gained approximately 30 pounds of muscle. In January 2009, Weitz and Summit Entertainment announced that Lautner would continue to play the role of Jacob in the sequel. In an interview, fellow cast member Kristen Stewart talked about Lautner's transformation saying, "He's an entirely different person physically." Stewart later said, "He gets a lot of attention because he's buff, but I think as soon as the movie comes out, people are going to realize that's not why he got the job." Co-star Robert Pattinson said after seeing Lautner's body, "I saw him and thought 'Jesus, I'm going to get fired." In an interview with The Wrap, Weitz said Lautner deserved a lot of credit for the movie's box office, stating, "If you look at the movie, it should have been the weakest in the franchise, because Robert Pattinson doesn't play as big a role." Weitz said Lautner had to "pick up that slack, and if his character hadn't been emotionally, not just physically, appealing, the movie wouldn't have been as big a hit." The commercial performance of the film outpaced the first film, setting several box office records including the biggest midnight opening in the United States and Canada and the biggest single-day opening. The opening weekend of New Moon is the third highest opening weekend in domestic history with $142,839,137. The Twilight Saga: New Moon also has the sixth highest worldwide opening weekend with $274.9 million total. Critical reception was less favorable, with the movie getting a 4.6/10 average from Rotten Tomatoes, and a 44 on Metacritic. Lautner won Favorite Breakout Movie Actor at the 35th People's Choice Awards.

Although it began after the release of the first film, upon release of New Moon, Lautner and his co-stars Stewart and Pattinson transitioned to teen idol status, with Lautner particularly admired by teens for his new physical characteristics, becoming a sex symbol. The trio appeared on many covers and televised appearances together. In between the second and third films in the Twilight series, Lautner was a part of the ensemble cast in the movie Valentine's Day as Willy Harrington, acting alongside his rumored girlfriend at the time, American country pop singer Taylor Swift. The duo was nominated at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards for Best Kiss. Although it received generally negative reviews, the film grossed $213 million and had the second biggest opening in the United States for a romantic comedy film. Lautner presented at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and the 82nd Academy Awards. Lautner hosted Saturday Night Live on December 12, 2009, making him one of the youngest celebrity hosts in the show's history.

2010–present: Continuing Twilight and later projects[]

Lautner returned for the third Twilight film, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, in 2010. Receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film surpassed its predecessor to become the highest-grossing film of the franchise and the highest-grossing romantic fantasy, werewolf and vampire movie of all time at the American and Canadian box office. It ranks as the 36th highest grossing film of all-time in the U.S. and Canada. The popularity of Lautner and his cast members continued to summit, especially via the "Team Edward vs. Team Jacob" campaign that promoted the film. Lautner's fanbase also began to expand to older audiences. Lautner won Best Fantasy Actor at the 2010 Scream Awards, and he is nominated for Favorite Movie Actor for his role in Eclipse at the 37th People's Choice Awards. On November 2010 The Hollywood Reporter named Lautner as one of the young male actors who are "pushing – or being pushed" into taking over Hollywood as the new "A-List".

Lautner was initially supposed to be in two films, Northern Lights and a movie based on Max Steel, but pulled out of both films due to scheduling conflicts and better offers. Other planned projects were the lead in a movie about Stretch Armstrong and a hostage thriller, Cancun. Lautner filmed a Bourne Identity-esque spy film with Lily Collins, entitled Abduction. It was released in September 2011 to universally negative reviews from critics and Lautner's performance was heavily criticised. He appeared in the remaining parts of the Twilight series, the The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn films, which were released over a two-year period from 2011–2012.

In 2010, Lautner was considered to be the highest-paid teen actor in Hollywood. In February 2014, it was confirmed that Lautner would be joining the BBC Three comedy series Cuckoo, replacing Andy Samberg. Lautner continued in this role for two years, co-starring in the BBC comedy for three series. On the 23rd of June 2016 it was announced that Lautner had been cast in the Ryan Murphy comedy horror series Scream Queens.

Public image[]

Publications such as GQ, Rolling Stone, and People have referred to Lautner as a sex symbol, with the latter publication calling the actor a future epitome of pop culture. He has been called the new young adult star that can "both woo the girls with his intensity and impress the boys with his rugged agility." According to Mickey Rapkin of GQ, the use of Lautner's physique in films has been compared to Megan Fox in her work. After his massive physical change following Twilight, Lautner became a tabloid teen idol with his co-stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Lautner, determined to stay in the series, worked out every day and gained over 30 pounds (14 kg) of muscle in order to bulk up for the role of Jacob Black in the remaining films in the The Twilight Saga. Michelle Lanz of MSN Wonderwall said that Lautner's change may have saved his career. Several critics credit Lautner's physical characteristics for much of the success of the Twilight series, with critic Sharon Waxman stating, "as a tabloid teen idol, he certainly deserves some credit for New Moon's $700 million worldwide gross." Lautner's abs in particular have been subject to media attention, with The Wrap stating that companies bidding for the actor in movies in 2011 would "shell out for the young actor's much-on-display though mostly untried abs." Mickey Rapkin of GQ said, "the film's marketing issues were solved when Lautner's "abdominal muscles became New Moon's main talking point, not to mention his calling card." He was named number one on Access Hollywood's "Top 5 Hollywood Abs" list.

Before the actor turned 18, his sexualized image was often critiqued, and subject to controversy. In December 2009, Lautner appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in a wet T-shirt. Jennifer Cady of E! Online said to wait a few months when Lautner would "be of age, which will make this whole operation you got going on completely legal." In his interview with the magazine, after declining to talk about whether he was dating Taylor Swift, the magazine pressed Lautner on rumors of him being homosexual, which he brushed off. Brent Hartinger, a columnist for AfterElton, blasted the magazine, calling the questioning "unimaginably irresponsible," commenting that Lautner was just "a 17-year old kid" and that while the rumors were baseless and speculation from certain blogs and fans, it was disappointing that a "legitimate media outlet" would print gossip. Hartinger said the magazine reached a "new low" and did not have common decency, noting that the line between child and adult "is there for a good reason".

Lautner has stated that he does not want to be just known for his looks, as some have attributed his popularity to that and not his actual acting skill. In an interview, the actor revealed that he was originally supposed to have a baring scene in the movie Valentine's Day. He stated, "The script said we were walking into school and Willy takes off his shirt. I said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa. Time out. He's gonna take off his shirt in the middle of school? No, no, no. The reason I took off my shirt for New Moon is because it's written in the book that way. And there's reasons behind it." Lautner later said he would not bare his chest for any role that did not call for it. In June 2010, Lautner covered GQ magazine. The actor was lampooned in conservative writer Laura Ingraham's satirical The Obama Diaries, commenting to have Lautner as a mascot for the White House Easter Egg Roll, to fit their health-conscious theme, and have Lautner don a furry bunny head and appear shirtless. In 2010, Lautner was ranked number two on Glamour's "50 Sexiest Men of 2010 " list. Men's Health ranked him at third on their list of "Top 10 Summer Bodies." Additionally in 2010, he was ranked fourth on People's "Most Amazing Bodies" list.

Personal life[]

Lautner has an intricate workout plan, which was covered by Men's Health, and has a specific diet after developing his body for The Twilight Saga: New Moon. In addition, he still practices and trains in martial arts regularly. He has stated that he is drug and alcohol free.

Lautner resides with his parents and younger sister in Valencia, California, which he says he prefers because of the paparazzi. Lautner has said that he has never thought of moving out on his own, stating, "The thing I love is that my home life hasn't changed. I still help out with the garbage. I still help out with the lawn." He owns a BMW 5 series, with dark-tinted windows intended to provide anonymity.

The boost given to his career by the success of the Twilight films made him too busy to attend school, so he took the California High School Proficiency Exam to graduate from high school in 2008. He has stated on Late Show with David Letterman that if he does not have work, he would like to go back to school. In 2010, he stated that "I finished high school and enrolled in my local community college".

While filming Valentine's Day in October 2009, Lautner began a romantic relationship with co-star Taylor Swift; they broke up later that year. After filming Abduction with Lily Collins, he began dating her in November 2010. They split in September 2011. From 2013 to 2015 he was in a relationship with Canadian actress and Tracers co-star Marie Avgeropoulos. Lautner began dating actress and Scream Queens co-star Billie Lourd in December 2016; the two split in July 2017. Since 2018, he has been publicly dating Taylor Dome, a nurse from California. On November 13, 2021, Lautner announced via Instagram that he and Dome are engaged.

On the Late Show with David Letterman, Lautner said that if he does not have work, he would like to go back to school; in 2010 he stated, "I finished high school and enrolled in my local community college". In 2020, he bought a home in Agoura Hills, while retaining his 10-acre (4.0 ha) estate in Castaic.

Filmography[]

Film[]

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Shadow Fury Young Kismet
2005 The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D Sharkboy
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 Elliot Murtaugh
2008 Twilight Jacob Black
2009 The Twilight Saga: New Moon
2010 Valentine's Day Willy Harrinton
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Jacob Black
2011 Field of Dreams 2: Lockout Iowa Farmer Short film
Abduction Nathan Harper
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Jacob Black
2012 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
2013 Grown Ups 2 Frat Boy Andy
2015 Tracers Cam
The Ridiculous 6 Lil' Pete
2016 Run the Tide Reymond Hightower Post-production

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes
2003
2004
The Bernie Mac Show Aaron Episodes: "Bernie Mac Rope-a-Dope"
"Being Bernie Mac"
2004 The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour Mouseketeer TV movie
My Wife and Kids Tyrone Episode: "Class Reunion"
Summerland Boy on beach Episode: "To Thine Self Be True"
2005 What's New, Scooby-Doo? Ned
Dennis
Voice
Episodes: "A Terrifying Round with a Menacing Metallic Clown"
"Camp Comeoniwannascareya"
Duck Dodgers Terrible Obnoxious Boy
Reggie Wasserstein
Voice
Episodes: "Good Duck Hunting/Consumption Overruled"
"A Lame Duck Mind"
Danny Phantom Youngblood Voice
Episodes: "Pirate Radio"
"The Fenton Menace"
"The Fright Before Christmas"
2006 Love, Inc. Oliver Episode: "Arrested Development"
He's a Bully, Charlie Brown Joe Agate Voice
TV movie
2008 My Own Worst Enemy Jack Spivey
2014–present Cuckoo Dale "Cuckoo" Ashbrick Jr Main role; series two onwards
2016 Scream Queens Dr. Cassidy Cascade Main cast

Awards and nominations[]

Year Award Category Motive Result
2005 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Lead Actor The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D Nominated
2009 Scream Awards Male Breakout Performance Twilight Won
MTV Movie Awards Best Breakthrough Performance – Male]] Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Fresh Face – Male Himself Won
2010 People's Choice Awards Favorite Breakout Actor The Twilight Saga: New Moon Won
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actor Won
Cutest Couple Shared with Kristen Stewart Won
Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Screen Couple Shared with Kristen Stewart Nominated
Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Lead Actor Nominated
MTV Movie Awards Best Kiss Shared with Taylor Swift Valentine's Day Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Male Hottie Himself Won
Red Carpet Fashion Icon – Male Won
Choice Smile Won
Choice Movie Actor: Fantasy The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Won
Choice Movie: Liplock Shared with Taylor Swift Valentine's Day Nominated
Choice Movie: Chemistry Shared with Taylor Swift Nominated
Scream Awards Best Fantasy Actor The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Nominated
Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards Fave Kiss Shared with Kristen Stewart Nominated
Hottest Hottie Himself Won
2011 People's Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actor The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Nominated
Favorite On-screen Team Shared with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart Won
Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Actor The Twilight Saga: Eclipse & Valentine's Day Nominated
Worst Ensemble Shared with the entire cast The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Nominated
2012 Worst Actor The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 & Abduction Nominated
Worst Screen Couple Shared with Kristen Stewart The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Nominated
Worst Ensemble Shared with the entire cast Nominated
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Buttkicker Won
2013 Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Supporting Actor The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 Won
Worst Screen Couple Shared with Mackenzie Foy Won
Worst Ensemble Shared with the entire cast Won
MTV Movie Awards Best Shirtless Performance Won
Teen Choice Awards Male Hottie Himself Nominated
Actor Sci-Fi/Fantasy The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 Won
Smile Himself Nominated
2014 Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Supporting Actor Grown Ups 2 Nominated
Worst Screen Combo Shared with the entire cast Nominated

Trivia[]

  • Ironically, the character Grace Gardner has said that she is a fan of the Twilight Saga movies in which Lautner stars as one of the lead roles. Now he is in Scream Queens and portays another character.
    • His character, Jacob Black, has also been mentioned by Grace.
  • Taylor Swift's song "Back to December" was written about her 2009 relationship with Lautner.

Gallery[]

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External links[]

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