The American actor, Taylor Daniel Lautner was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 11, 1992). He is the oldest of Deborah and Daniel Lautner’s two children, Makena is his younger sister. Taylor has gained considerable recognition for his portrayal of the character Jacob Black in the Twilight film series, particularly in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.”

Taylor was raised in Hudsonville, Michigan where he began studying karate at age of  six while he attended Jamestown Elementary School. His family moved to Santa Clarita, California when he was eleven. In 2003 he took part in a karate event sponsored by ISKA and televised by ESPN. He also demonstrated his martial art skills on “America’s Most Talented Kids.”

It was due to the encouragement of his karate coach that Lautner began acting. His first film appearance was the television movie “Shadow Fury” which led to several television series appearances, on “The Bernie Mac Show,” “The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour,” “Summerland” and “My Wife and Kids.”

Taylor also has several film credits for family entertainment movies including the Robert Rodriguez film of 2005 “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D.” Following this success, Taylor won the role of “Elliot” in the film “Cheaper by the Dozen 2.”

In 2008 he won the role of “Jacob Black” in “Twilight” the movie adaptation of the novel by Stephenie Meyer. Taylor reprised his role in the sequel “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” only after extensive weight training to meet the physical demands of the character role.  In 2010 he starred again in the “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” in addition to performing in the romantic comedy “Valentine’s Day” in the role of Tyler Harrinton.

Not all of Justin’s acting is on the screen; he has also recorded episodes of “He’s a Bully, Charlie Brown,” What’s New Scooby-Doo?” Taylor plays the voice character of “Youngblood” for the cartoon “Danny Phantom” and “Silas” in the animated series “Silas and Brittany.”

Taylor has become one of the highest paid teenage actors and has been a presenter for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, and the 82nd Academy Awards® ceremony. When Taylor hosted “Saturday Night Live” on December 2, 2009, he became one of the youngest celebrity hosts in the history of the  highly rated television program. He has been cast for the John Singleton film “Abduction” a thriller, which begins production in the summer of 2010 and in the role of “Stretch Armstrong” for the 2012 3D film.