Taylor Daniel Lautner was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to parents, Deborah and Daniel Lautner. He, and younger sister Makena, were raised in a well-mannered, Roman Catholic household in Hudsonville, Michigan. At the age of six, Taylor began studying martial arts at Fabiano's Karate School and he, along with his family, quickly noticed his unique and natural talent for the sport. He was soon invited to train with seven-time world karate champion Michael Chaturantabut (aka Mike Chat) and, at the age of eight, he was asked to represent his country in the twelve years and under division in the World Karate Association where he became the Junior World Forms and Weapons champion, winning three gold medals. In 2003, Taylor continued to flourish in the martial arts circuit where he ranked number one in the world for NASKA's Black Belt Open Forms, Musical Weapons, Traditional Weapons and Traditional Forms and, at the age of twelve, he became the three time Junior World Champion.
However, in addition to his love for martial arts, Taylor quickly developed a love for acting at the age of seven years old when his martial arts instructor, who was involved in show business, encouraged him to audition for a small appearance in a Burger King commercial. Although he was unsuccessful, he enjoyed the experience so much that he told his parents that he wanted to pursue a career in acting. Soon, he and his family were traveling back-and-forth from their home in Michigan to California so Taylor could audition for acting roles on a regular basis. When Taylor was ten, with the frequent traveling and air fares starting to become overwhelming, his family made the crucial decision to relocate to Los Angeles where Taylor would have the advantage of being able to audition for films, television, and commercials full-time.
Where Are They Now
(March 2008) Filming Twilight (2008/I).
(March 2009) Filming New Moon (2009).
(October 2009) Filming Eclipse (2010/I).
(June 2010) Filming Abduction (2011).
Trivia
Taylor is a keen martial artist who, from the age of seven, has won many karate tournaments on a local, national and international level.
He is a big sports fan and his favorite sport is football. He is big fan of the University of Texas Longhorns, the University of Michigan Wolverines and professional NFL athletes, Brett Favre, Tom Brady, and Jerry Rice.
Has a younger sister named Makena.
Has a Maltese named Roxy.
Received his driver license in 2008.
Played football during his freshman and sophomore year of high school.
Had to start training the day after Twilight (2008/I) was finished filming for his role of Jacob Black in New Moon (2009), whose transformation had to be drastic. He gained approximately 30 lbs. for the part, as promised to the director.
Became close friends with Twilight (2008/I) co-star, Edi Gathegi, when they began exercising in the gym together after filming the movie.
Close friends with Twilight (2008/I) co-stars, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Nikki Reed.
Was ranked #1 in Access Hollywood's "Top Five Hollywood Abs" (2008).
Named one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People of 2009.
Is of German, French, Dutch, and Native American (specifically Ottawa and Potawatomi) descent.
Likes the band Kings of Leon.
Named Hollywood's highest paid teen actor (2010).
His favorite actors include Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon.
His last name "Lautner" is of German origin.
He went to Jamestown Elementary School in Hudsonville, Michigan until he was eleven years old.
His father, Daniel, is an airline pilot and his mother, Deborah, works for a software development company.
Participated in the 2010 Celebrity Beach Bowl.
Was originally cast in Northern Lights (2011), but dropped out due to commitments to Abduction (2011).
Good friends with Dakota Fanning and Selena Gomez.
Some of his favorite films include Gladiator (2000), Braveheart (1995), and The Dark Knight (2008).
Became one of the youngest celebrity hosts in the history of "Saturday Night Live" (1975) when he hosted the show for the first time on December 12, 2009.
Ex-boyfriend of Taylor Swift [December 2009].
Was ranked #3 on Men's Health Magazine's Top 10 Best Summer Bodies (2010).
Was ranked #2 on E!'s "Hottest Men of 2010".
Was ranked #4 on People Magazine's 50 Most Amazing Bodies (2010).
Was ranked #2 on Glamour Magazine's 50 Sexiest Men of 2010.
Created and sponsored a hand made "New Moon Team Jacob" messenger bag for The Children's Place and Books for Kids Foundation, with all the proceeds going to build libraries, donate books, and partner with literacy programs.
Participated in football and baseball, along with taking up jazz and hip-hop dance lessons when he was younger.
In a relationship with Abduction (2011) co-star, Lily Collins [November 2010].
Was named one of GQ Magazine's 'Men of the Year' (2010).
While doing a promotional interview for New Moon (2009) in a hotel in Brazil, Taylor and co-star, Kristen Stewart, were forced to confinement in a hotel room due to a riot of 2,000 girls that stormed the hotel lobby.
Has a fear of reptiles and sharks.
Had to go through extensive training for his role in Abduction (2011), including boxing, fighting, swimming, and motorcycle training.
Once Taylor moved with his family to Los Angeles, he found himself landing more and more small acting roles. He booked many occurring roles on various television shows such as "My Wife and Kids" (2001), "Summerland" (2004), and "The Bernie Mac Show" (2001). Taylor also found himself becoming successful in films as well. In 2005, he landed the role of Sharkboy in the family blockbuster flick, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D (2005), and the role of Eliot Murtaugh in Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005). However, it would be one single role that would ultimately change Taylor's life forever. In 2008, Taylor auditioned for the iconic role of werewolf hunk Jacob Black in the record smashing, blockbuster hit Twilight (2008/I). With the sudden and unexpected success of the film, Taylor, along with fellow cast members Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, found himself being propelled into a world that would forever change his life and his career.
Taylor has continued to portray Jacob Black in the following film adaptations of the The Twilight Saga as well as branch out into other roles and films such as the star studded romantic comedy, Valentine's Day (2010/I), and the action-packed thriller, Abduction (2011). Taylor Lautner has quickly become one of the most famous, talented, and successful young Hollywood actors thanks to the blockbuster success of the Twilight (2008/I) films. It has quickly been established by this young man's diverse and gifted talent that we will continue to be his audience for many years to come.
