Taylor Daniel Lautner (born February 11, 1992) is an American actor and martial artist who is perhaps best known for his 2005 family film performances in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D and Cheaper by the Dozen 2 with Steve Martin or as Jacob Black in the 2008 film Twilight.
Taylor was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Deborah and Dan Lautner. He is of French, Dutch, German, and Native American (specifically Odawa and Potawatomi) ancestry.
Lautner began studying karate at the age of six, training at Fabiano’s Karate School in Holland, Michigan. By the following year, he began winning tournaments. He was soon invited to train with seven-time world karate champion Mike Chat and, when he was eight, he was asked to represent his country in the twelve years and under division in the World Karate Association where he proved himself by becoming the Junior World Forms and Weapons champion, winning three gold medals.Lautner began acting in 2001, appearing in the made-for-television film Shadow Fury. He subsequently had roles on the series Summerland, The Bernie Mac Show, and My Wife and Kids. He has also had a recurring role on Danny Phantom as YoungBlood. In 2005 he had a starring role as Sharkboy in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D, a film that showcased his martial arts skills. Lautner has stated that while he has been trying to succeed in his acting career, he also wants to finish high school.
He has had small roles in a number of other television shows and movies, including The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour. He appeared as himself in America’s Most Talented Kids, putting on an exhibition of his Martial Arts skills. In addition to television, Taylor has been very successful in voice-over work. Taylor has booked a recurring role as Youngblood on the cartoon Danny Phantom, and has recorded episodes of What’s New, Scooby-Doo? and He’s a Bully, Charlie Brown. Taylor has also been as booked a series regular of a pilot presentation called Which Way Is Up?, in addition to voicing the character of Silas in the animated series Silas and Brittany.
In October 2008, Lautner played Christian Slater’s son in the television series My Own Worst Enemy, until the show was cancelled after only 9 episodes. Lautner then played Native American character Jacob Black in Twilight, the movie adaptation of the novel by Stephenie Meyer. Lautner has been signed for New Moon, the second installment of the Twilight film series.Info Source: Wikipedia
